Noise pollution leaves 'chatting' fish struggling to be heard
Noise pollution leaves 'chatting' fish struggling to be heard
"Chatty" fish are being drowned out by the noise of boat engines - and it could put Friday night cod and chips at risk, according to scientists. Fish make distinct sounds with their swim bladders to assert territorial claims, seek a mate and "gossip" with others in the shoal. Male cod produce thumping and rumbling sounds as they swim towards the surface with a female to convince her to release eggs, while parrotfish are known to make crunching noises as they eat algae on reefs. But researchers at the University of Exeter say the barrage of sound from marine traffic is making it difficult for fish to make themselves heard.
Seawater is hundreds of times denser than air, so sounds travel much faster and further.
Professor Steve Simpson, a marine biologist at the university, is launching a new study into the effects of noise pollution on the behaviour of cod, haddock and other species. "We may find that the 'gossip' essential to their society is being drowned out," he said. "If we value our fish stocks - or our Friday night fish supper - we need to understand this." As part of the study, scientists are also investigating whether fish have regional accents along the British coastline. Research has already shown that European cod have distinct dialects to their transatlantic American cousins.
