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Human activities affect marine life and marine habitats through overfishing, habitat loss, the introduction of invasive species, ocean pollution, ocean acidification and ocean warming. These impact marine ecosystems and food webs and may result in consequences as yet unrecognised for the biodiversity and continuation of marine life forms. [3]
Acoustic noise levels were checked near the course of the America’s Cup in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, in 2021. Sailing events could harm marine life due to underwater noise, study finds Skip ...
Underwater noise pollution due to human activities is also prevalent in the sea, and given that sound travels faster through water than through air, is a major source of disruption of marine ecosystems and does significant harm to sea life, including marine mammals, fish and invertebrates.
While marine pollution can be obvious, as with the marine debris shown above, it is often the pollutants that cannot be seen that cause most harm.. Marine pollution occurs when substances used or spread by humans, such as industrial, agricultural and residential waste, particles, noise, excess carbon dioxide or invasive organisms enter the ocean and cause harmful effects there.
The noise produced by ships can travel long distances, and marine species who may rely on sound for their orientation, communication, and feeding, can be harmed by this sound pollution. [11] [12] The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species has identified ocean noise as a potential threat to marine life. [13]
Since the 1990s, scientific research has been carried out on the effects of sonar on marine life. This scientific research is reported in peer reviewed journals and at international conferences such as The Effects of Sound on Marine Mammals [47] and The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life. [48]
Additionally, noise pollution can cause chronic stress in marine animals, leading to weakened immune systems and increased vulnerability to disease. [16] In regions like the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca, some of the world's busiest shipping lanes, the intensity of these impacts is heightened.
The Environmental Noise Directive (END) was created in the European Union to provide guidelines, laws, and standards in the management of environmental noise. The END has created noise mapping, noise action plans, and quiet areas to control environmental noise and the negative effects it can have on individuals. [22]