The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life: Principles and Practical Considerations

Author Biography

Arthur N. Popper is Professor Emeritus and Research Professor in the Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD (USA). His current research focuses on the effects of man-made (or anthropogenic) noise on aquatic life, and particularly on fishes. This interest follows Popper’s decades of basic research on fish hearing capabilities and mechanisms. Recent studies have included effects of very intense man-made signals (pile driving, seismic air guns) as well as general increase in background noise levels (as from shipping and aquaculture). He also works with US and international institutions in evaluating overall effects of the increase in man-made noise on animals. This includes being organizer of six international conferences on effects of noise on aquatic life. Popper has edited 77 volumes of books on hearing and related topics in the Springer Handbook of Auditory Research series and edits the science and technology magazine Acoustics Today. Joseph A. Sisneros is Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Washington (UW), Seattle, WA (USA). The primary focus of Dr. Sisneros’ work is the investigation of seasonal reproductive-state and steroid-dependent changes in the adult auditory system of fishes. A secondary focus of his work is the investigation of sound source localization by fishes. Dr. Sisneros’ work on sound source localization and reproductive-state-related changes in fishes has been primarily funded over the past 16 years by the National Science Foundation. He has published over 90 scholarly papers and book chapters in top journals and book publications. Dr. Sisneros was editor of the Springer book Fish Hearing and Bioacoustics and he is senior editor of the Springer Handbook of Auditory Research. Anthony D. Hawkins was Managing Director of Laughine Limited, Aberdeen, Scotland, a company dealing with fish biology. He was Director of Fisheries Research for Scotland (1987–2002) and an Honorary Professor at Aberdeen University. He was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2000 for his services to fisheries science. His research interests have ranged from migrations of salmon to the effects of sound on fishes. In 1991, he set up the North Sea Commission Fisheries Partnership, bringing together fishermen and scientists, and he then set up and worked as Rapporteur for the North Sea Regional Advisory Council (NSRAC), providing advice from fishers and scientists to the European Commission on the management of North Sea fisheries. Together with Arthur Popper and others, Dr. Hawkins organized international conferences on the Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life bringing together scientists, engineers, regulators, and industry to discuss the latest scientific findings in this field. Frank Thomsen is a Principal Scientist in Underwater Acoustics with DHI A/S, Denmark. His work focuses on the effects of anthropogenic underwater noise on aquatic life, especially looking at offshore wind farms and dredging. Dr. Thomsen’s scientific work has also covered the acoustic communication in wild killer whales (Orcinus orca) and the distribution and abundance of marine mammals using aerial and acoustic monitoring. Dr. Thomsen has worked as chairman of working groups and advisor for a variety of national and international organizations such as the European Marine Board, the European Commission, OSPA, and the United Nations. He was chairman of the 6th International Conference of the Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life in Berlin (AN2022). Dr. Thomsen has published over 80 papers and reports, many in leading journals.