Vieira, M., Fonseca, P.J. & Amorim, M.C.P. (2023) Effect of boat noise on chorusing behavior of a marine fish (Argyrosomus regius, Sciaenidae). Effects of noise on aquatic life (ed. by A.N. Popper, J. Sisneros, A.D. Hawkins and F. Thomsen). The Springer. DOI:10.1007/978-3-031-10417-6_176-1.
Aquatic noise has increased in the last decades, especially along the routes of freighter and in harbor areas. The increasing sounds are likely augmenting the pressure on aquatic animals’ acoustic communication and causing enhanced stress on populations inhabiting such regions. One of such areas, the Tagus estuary (Portugal), holds important maritime harbors and a network of ferryboat routes. It is also used as breeding grounds for several fish species, namely the meagre (Argyrosomus regius), which might be impacted by anthropogenic noise since it produces loud breeding choruses. This study assessed the impact of boat noise on this species by inspecting changes in chorus sound levels in the field during boat passages. Results show that the sound level of meagre choruses is often reduced during a boat passage, a behavioral effect that might ultimately impact reproductive success of this species.
Manuel Vieira Conservation in Socio-Ecological Systems - CSES
Paulo Fonseca Conservation in Socio-Ecological Systems - CSES
