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Ocean Noise Pollution

OCR seeks to understand the impacts of human generated noise on marine life – using our understanding to inform ocean policy and practice.

Of concern are the noises generated by underwater communication, military sonar, seismic airgun surveys, seafloor oil and gas processing, and shipping noise, and the impacts on cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises), pinnepeds (seals and sea lions), fish, and marine invertebrates.

Explore Sound in the Ocean

Because water transmits sound much better than it transmits light, the ocean is an acoustic environment. Marine organisms have adapted to this for millions – and some cases billions of years. Explore some of these diverse and fantastic adaptations here.

Learn more about natural ocean noise»

Human Generated Noise

Humans have plied the seas for thousands of years, but only in the past 100 years have we done so at mechanized-industrial scales. With the globalization of commerce, the militarization of the coasts and ocean commons, and the extraction of deepwater minerals and fossil fuels we have introduced global-scale mechanized noise to which marine life may be poorly adapted.

Learn about possible solutions»
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