Marine Bioacoustics
/ Human Noise

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 acoustical communication networks, military sonar, seismic airgun surveys, seafloor oil and gas processing, and shipping noise. These noises can impose various impacts on marine life across all taxa – cetaceans (whales, dolphins, porpoises), pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), fishes, and marine invertebrates.

Donate Now!
Stay Informed!

Listen to the Sounds of the Sea

Ocean Life

Ocean Enterprise

Arctic Ocean Recordings

Arctic Ocean Recordings

Ocean Sound Facts

What is Ocean Noise Pollution?

Prior to the mechanization of maritime travel all of the noises in the ocean were generated by nature – wind and waves, lightening, breaking ice, fumaroles, and earthquakes – and the vast repertoire of biological sounds. All of these sounds and noises were perceived by animals, sensed within biological constraints of tissues, muscles, and bones, and adapted to various and particular acoustical niches. Noises that humans are generating in the ocean are not so constrained…
Learn more about ocean noise pollution