Media Releases and Opportunities

From the smallest fish to the largest whale, marine wildlife relies on sound for critical functions like communication, prey or predator detection and orientation. But as the world's oceans become increasingly noisy, many of these species are suffering a variety of harms affecting such things as reproduction, migratory route displacement and feeding.

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) has issued a landmark report addressing this major threat and provides essential guidance on how to reduce noise and safeguard marine life.

The report focuses on three major sources of noise pollution: shipping, oil and gas seismic airgun surveys, and pile driving, which is used for offshore wind farms and other marine infrastructure. For the first time, the research provides practical guidance on both the best available technology and best environmental practice to reduce noise from these activities.

Lindy Weilgart, a marine biologist at Dalhousie University and Senior Ocean Noise Expert and Policy Consultant at OceanCare in Switzerland, wrote the report which outlines the risks to marine species and how quieting technologies that reduce sound at the source are the most effective ways to reduce the negative impacts of underwater noise on wildlife. These quieting methods and practices may also have additional benefits, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to mitigate climate change – another major threat to marine wildlife.

Dr. Weilgart is available to discuss her report and how unchecked noise pollution is a major threat for both marine wildlife and people who rely on the fisheries for their livelihoods.

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Media contact:

Alison Auld
Senior Research Reporter
Communications, Marketing and Creative Services
Dalhousie University
Cell: 1-902-220-0491
Email: alison.auld@dal.ca