Resource Issues: Acoustic Impacts - More information

Reports and Publications:

Gray whale spyhopping

• International Maritime Organization (IMO) - Guidelines for the Reduction of Underwater noise from Commercial Shipping. This report outlines IMO guidelines for reducing underwater noise from commercial ships, which acknowledges potential impacts on marine life and provides measures to reduce impacts from the commercial shipping industry. (2014).
• NOAA Fisheries – Draft Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammals – December 2013 (905K PDF). This document identifies both peak pressure (temporary) thresholds and cumulative sound exposure levels for different functional hearing groups of marine mammals (low-, mid-, high- frequency whales/dolphins and two groups of seals and sea lions). (2013).
• NOAA Fisheries - Addressing the Effects of Human-Generated Sound on Marine Life (743K PDF). This is an integrated research plan for federal agencies to prioritize research and collaborate in addressing anthropogenic noise in the marine environment. (2009).
• Marine Mammal Commission - International Workshop on Shipping Noise and Marine Mammals (5.8M PDF). This report to Congress summarizes the findings of an international conference to share findings of acoustic threats and solutions for mitigating threats while “maintaining the oceans as a global highway of international commerce”. (2007).
• NOAA Symposium - Potential Application of Vessel-Quieting Technology on Large Commercial Vessels (692K PDF). This final report of NOAA’s international symposium summarizes the global acoustics issue and the feasibility and technical aspects of different quieting technologies for large vessels. (2007).
• MBNMS - Assessment of the Deep-diving Whales Major Range Distribution within the MBNMS (497K PDF). This technical report on the distribution of deep-diving whales in the MBNMS was completed to assist in evaluating the potential impacts of acoustic disturbances. (2001).

Webpages:

• Discovery of Sound in the Sea: University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography and Marine Acoustics, Inc’s website on ocean acoustics for the general public.
• NOAA Fisheries Ocean Acoustics Webpage: NOAA Fisheries Ocean Acoustics program website focused on acoustic impacts and policy.
• NOAA Cetacean and Sound Mapping Project: Website for CetSound, NOAA’s Cetacean & Sound Mapping effort to evaluate the impacts of anthropogenic noise on cetacean species.

NOAA Podcasts:

• NOAA Fisheries: “Blinded by the Noise—Whales and Dolphins in a Noisy Ocean”, Mike Bahtiarian, 3 September 2013. Podcast on the challenges marine mammals face with increasing levels of human-produced noise in the ocean.
• NOAA Fisheries: “To Protect Fin Whales, Scientists Work on Their Listening Skills”. 16 May 2013. Transcript of podcast on how scientists study the acoustics of fin whales and what they are learning.
• Science Magazine, Special Issues Changing Oceans: “A Push for Quieter Ships”, David Malakoff, Science 18 June 2010: 1502-1503. Podcast interview with Dr. Leila Hatch (SBNMS)