Evidence that ship noise increases stress in right whales

Abstract

Baleen whales (Mysticeti) communicate using low-frequency acoustic signals. These long-wavelength sounds can be detected over hundreds of kilometres, potentially allowing contact over large distances. Low-frequency noise from large ships (20-200 Hz) overlaps acoustic signals used by baleen whales, and increased levels of underwater noise have been documented in areas with high shipping traffic. Reported responses of whales to increased noise include: habitat displacement, behavioural changes and alterations in the intensity, frequency and intervals of calls. However, it has been unclear whether exposure to noise results in physiological responses that may lead to significant consequences for individuals or populations. Here, we show that reduced ship traffic in the Bay of Fundy, Canada, following the events of 11 September 2001, resulted in a 6 dB decrease in underwater noise with a significant reduction below 150 Hz. This noise reduction was associated with decreased baseline levels of stress-related faecal hormone metabolites (glucocorticoids) in North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis). This is the first evidence that exposure to low-frequency ship noise may be associated with chronic stress in whales, and has implications for all baleen whales in heavy ship traffic areas, and for recovery of this endangered right whale population.

Journal

Title: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Abbreviated Title: Proc. R. Soc. B

Publisher: The Royal Society

ISSN (Print): 0962-8452

ISSN (Electronic): 1471-2954

Publication date Created: February 15 2012

Publication date Created: June 22 2012

Publication date (Electronic): February 08 2012

Publication date (Print): June 22 2012

Volume: 279

Issue: 1737

Pages: 2363-2368

Affiliations

[1 ]Research Department, New England Aquarium, Boston, MA 02110, USA

[2 ]Applied Research Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA 16804, USA

[3 ]Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Seattle, WA 98115, USA

[4 ]Bioacoustics Research Program, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

[5 ]Nicholas School of the Environment and Pratt School of Engineering, Duke University Marine Laboratory, Beaufort, NC 28516, USA

[6 ]Center for Conservation Biology, Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA

Article

DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2011.2429

PMC ID: 3350670

PubMed ID: 22319129

Copyright statement: © 2012

Product

Self URI (article page): https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2011.2429