Understanding Ocean Noise Pollution

Ocean noise pollution refers to the introduction of harmful, manmade sound into the marine environment. This includes noise from seismic air gun blasts (used for oil and gas exploration), ships and boats, military exercise and sonar, offshore construction and industry, harbour construction, dredging, and explosions. These sounds, particularly in low frequency ranges, can travel for hundreds or even thousands of kilometers underwater disrupting ecosystems far from their source.

Unlike us, many marine species rely heavily on sound, not sight, to interpret their surroundings. Sound is their primary tool for communication, navigation, foraging, and predator avoidance. When human activities mask or interfere with these acoustic signals, it can have serious consequences for marine life.

During the past 50 years noise in the ocean has increased 20 times!

Seismic air guns used for oil exploration, for example, emit sound bursts often firing every few seconds for days or weeks at a time. 

Seismic surveys outside the Vestfjord since 2012 were still occurring in 2024!

Military sonar systems and propeller driven vessels also contribute significantly to underwater noise levels, some emitting continuous noise. This cumulative soundscape makes the ocean increasingly inhospitable for acoustically sensitive species.

Biological Impacts on Marine Life

Chronic noise exposure has been shown to cause behavioral disturbances in marine animals. For many whales, dolphins, and porpoises, this acoustic interference can lead to:

• Temporary or permanent hearing loss
• Increased stress hormone levels
• Disruption of feeding, mating, and migration behaviors
• Abandonment of critical habitats

In severe cases, intense sound exposure has been linked to strandings and mortality. Beaked whales, for instance, are particularly vulnerable to mid-frequency active sonar and have experienced mass strandings following naval exercises. 

In 2016 we had a Sowerby’s beaked whale strand while seismic activity was occurring. See the story of the Sowerby’s whale.

Humpback whales with impaired hearing may be less able to detect fishing gear, increasing the risk of entanglement.

These disruptions can affect not just individuals but entire populations, particularly those already under pressure from other threats such as climate change, overfishing, and habitat loss.

Long Term Consequences for Ecosystems

Ocean noise pollution doesn’t affect only marine mammals. Research has shown impacts on fish, invertebrates, and even planktonic organisms. 

Seismic air guns can kill plankton up to 1.2 km away from the source!

Species that use sound for mating, predator detection, or habitat selection may experience reduced reproductive success or increased mortality. In some regions, elevated noise levels have been associated with changes in community structure and ecosystem dynamics.

What Can Be Done

While ocean noise pollution is a global problem, solutions are both possible and increasingly urgent. Technologies such as quieter ship propellers and time area restrictions on noisy activities can significantly reduce acoustic impacts. Slowing vessel speeds has also proven effective, lowering both noise emissions and the risk of vessel strikes on whales.

Public awareness and informed consumer choices also play a key role. Reducing fossil fuel consumption, supporting local goods to decrease shipping demand, and choosing conscious businesses for tourism and other products can help reduce noise. Advocating for noise reduction policies, marine protected areas, and further research on ocean acoustics can help support change.

Conclusion

Anthropogenic noise is now recognized as a serious pollutant in marine environments. Underwater sound from ships, seismic surveys, and industrial activity interferes with how marine animals communicate, navigate, forage, and reproduce. As this noise increases, so do the risks to species that rely on sound to survive. We have the opportunity, and the responsibility, to protect the ocean’s natural acoustic environment.

Our project, Sea of Sounds, raises awareness of ocean noise pollution by turning research into experience. Through virtual reality, participants step into the perspective of an orca and encounter underwater noise firsthand, an immersive experience that builds empathy and understanding. An educational workshop introduces local marine mammals, their vocalizations, and the impact of ocean noise on their survival, along with actions we can take. It concludes with a lively quiz game and group discussion to reinforce learning and reflection. The Whale Exhibition showcases photographs, species information, and their sound recordings. A main part is the rare Sowerby’s beaked whale skeleton, with its local stranding story that occurred during seismic activity, showing the harm ocean noise can create. By connecting scientific evidence with public engagement, Sea of Sounds encourages meaningful dialogue and inspires action toward a quieter, healthier ocean.

But awareness is only the beginning. Each of us has a role to play in creating a quieter ocean. By making informed choices in how we travel, what we buy, which companies we support, and how we vote, we help shape a healthier future for the sea. Together, we can reduce harmful underwater noise and ensure that marine life has the acoustic space it needs to survive, communicate, and thrive.

By: Ellyne Hamran