Shipping noise in a dynamic sea: a case study of grey seals in the Celtic Sea |
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| Authors: | F Chen GI Shapiro KA Bennett SN Ingram D Thompson C Vincent DJF Russell CB Embling |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Marine Science and Engineering, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK;2. School of Science, Engineering and Technology, Abertay University, Dundee, UK;3. Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, UK;4. Centre d''Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS/University of La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France |
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| Abstract: | Shipping noise is a threat to marine wildlife. Grey seals are benthic foragers, and thus experience acoustic noise throughout the water column, which makes them a good model species for a case study of the potential impacts of shipping noise. We used ship track data from the Celtic Sea, seal track data and a coupled ocean-acoustic modelling system to assess the noise exposure of grey seals along their tracks. It was found that the animals experience step changes in sound levels up to ~ 20 dB at a frequency of 125 Hz, and ~ 10 dB on average over 10–1000 Hz when they dive through the thermocline, particularly during summer. Our results showed large seasonal differences in the noise level experienced by the seals. These results reveal the actual noise exposure by the animals and could help in marine spatial planning. |
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| Keywords: | Anthropogenic noise Marine animals Sound propagation Acoustic modelling Ocean fronts |
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