Protecting Whales in a Sea of Noise

We live in a noisy world, but few may realize that human-generated noise pollution is a growing problem beneath the sea, where sound waves travel even farther than they do through the air. Because whales and many other marine mammals rely on sound to communicate and navigate, the racket we're making may be a serious threat to the animals' survival.

To investigate how marine animals are affected by noise, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Bioacoustics Research Program (BRP) has developed equipment and software to record sounds, monitor animals, and analyze data collected in the sea. More and more, industry and the military are seeking BRP expertise to study, and potentially reduce, the impact of anthropogenic noise on marine animals.

Over the next several years, BRP will be advising oil and gas companies involved in exploration and development of resources beneath the ocean floor—activities that include construction and seismic exploration. Companies operating in U.S. waters are required by law to monitor the effect of their activities on marine life and come up with a plan to reduce any negative impacts.

"It's one thing to develop all these high-tech tools," says BRP director Christopher Clark. "But if we don't apply our science to benefit conservation we lose the opportunity to make an impact. Exploration for energy is going to happen with or without us. If we're involved we can make sure it's done in a way that does the least harm to marine animals and their habitat." So far, BRP has been involved in exploration projects off the coast of Alaska and others are taking shape in Boston Harbor, the Gulf of Mexico, and Angola.

A buoy outfitted with recording equipment will detect the sounds of whales in real time to prevent collisions with ships.

Photo by Ildar Urazghildiiev

Monitoring begins with marine autonomous recording units, also called "pop-ups" because they pop to the surface to be retrieved once recording has been completed. BRP has also developed more advanced monitoring buoys in collaboration with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The buoys are equipped with an underwater microphone and an onboard computer with software that detects whale sounds in real time. A radio telemetry system transmits data back to shore via cell or satellite phone. The buoy contacts a server computer at the Lab of Ornithology several times a day and uploads information on the number of whale calls detected. Armed with information from the buoys and pop-ups, companies can schedule their activities at times and in places that will have the least impact on whales, other marine mammals, and their habitat.

In another energy-related effort on land, environmental consulting companies are using autonomous recording units to survey wildlife in areas where windmills might be built. Plans are also underway to use BRP technology to evaluate the impact of sonar on marine mammals.

"We bring a unique combination of technology and biological expertise to discussions about how the earth's resources are used," says Clark. "More and more, companies are turning to us for advice because of our commitment to biodiversity and our experience in monitoring animals on land and in the seas." By listening in on the world's creatures, the Lab's Bioacoustics Research Program is making it possible for their voices to be heard on today's critical marine conservation issues.

—Pat Leonard

Related story — Wiretapping whales: A developer's project listens to endangered right whales off Brunswick in an attempt to protect them. Savannah Morning News

For permission to reprint all or part of this article, please contact Laura Erickson, editor, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca, NY, 14850. Phone: (607) 254-1114. email: lle24@cornell.edu