The Impacts of Noise Pollution on Marine Species | Earth.Org

Noise pollution in the ocean has increased dramatically over the past few decades and is harming marine species. Many marine animals rely on sound for communication, navigation, and survival, but noise from human activities like shipping, seismic surveys, explosions, construction, and sonar devices is disrupting their natural soundscape. This can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss, behavioral changes, masking, injury, and even death in marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and porpoises. To mitigate the effects of noise pollution, we need to reduce anthropogenic noise through policies and technologies that minimize propeller noise from ships, sonar equipment, and other human activities.