The acoustic ecology of soniferous fishes within Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics

The effects of prolonged exposure to increasing levels of anthropogenic noise on populations of acoustic signalers are a topic of considerable scientific concern and research focus. Although there is mounting literature on the topic, studies to date have largely focused on terrestrial animals and marine mammals. Low-frequency ocean noise has dramatically increased in the past few decades in certain ocean areas, some of which are important habitats for a number of threatened or endangered marine organisms. One of these areas is Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS), located off the northeast coast of the US and in close proximity to a densely populated coastal zone. Using autonomous acoustic recorders, we investigated the extent and patterns of acoustic behavior in a number of soniferous fishes in several different bottom types within SBNMS. Our results showed significant daily, lunar and spatial patterns in the total number of fish vocalizations and vocalization types. These results were then used to take the first steps in assessing the effective calling radius for Atlantic cod. Identifying and better understanding the implications of anthropogenic noise at lower trophic levels is important to advancing the management of this pollutant both within the sanctuary, and globally.