The Arctic is one of the quietest places on Earth, and beneath its frigid waters is a vibrant ecosystem filled with life. Walrus, narwhal, seals, and belugas all communicate through complex vocalizations. But more recently, there’s been a change.
Ship noise affects the Arctic, its ecosystems and its communities: if you’re an animal trying to be heard in this noisy environment, it’s going to be difficult amongst ship noise.
So what are we doing about it? In this new video from Oceans North, you’ll learn everything about the issue of underwater noise and its impact, and how we can work together to research and implement best practices for noise reduction in the Arctic and across Canadian waters.
But with the accelerating loss of Arctic sea ice due to climate change, this once-quiet region is seeing increased industrial activity, cruise ship tourism, pleasure boating, and commercial fishing. The uptick in vessel traffic is introducing a new threat to these ecosystems: underwater noise pollution.
This video features experts from across the marine field and brings you beneath Arctic waters to see how all these pieces are connected:
- What is a hydrophone and how does it work?
- What are northern communities doing to capture knowledge about noise pollution?