Naval sonar disrupts dolphin behaviour

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-10-25 09:15

International

Short-beaked common dolphin, image by Ray Harrington via UnSplash

Naval sonar technology - which emits pulses of sound into the ocean to aid navigation - may be affecting dolphin behaviour more than previously thought. Researchers used drones to monitor short- and long-beaked common dolphins after they were exposed to military naval sonar off the coast of Southern California. Both species responded by changing their speed and the way they moved into groups. This is the first experiment of its kind, and the findings could be important for future management of military active sonar systems.

Media release

From: The Royal Society

Naval fazing – Dolphins may be much more sensitive to sonar than previously assumed. Off the shores of southern California, the behaviour of short- and long-beaked common dolphins was monitored after exposure to military naval sonar. Both species responded by changing their speed or group aggregation patterns. This is the first experimental behavioural response data demonstrating the impact of naval sonar on dolphins, and the findings could have implications for management of military active sonar systems.

Attachments

Note: Not all attachments are visible to the general public. Research URLs will go live after the embargo ends.

Research The Royal Society, Web page

Journal/
conference: Royal Society Open Science

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Santa Cruz, Oregon State University, Stanford University, SR3 - SeaLife Response, Kelp Marine Research, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Southall Environmental Associates,

Funder: This project was supported by the US Office of Naval Research, Marine Mammals and Biology Program (awards N000141713132 and N000141912572 to B. Southall (principal investigator)).

Media Contact/s

Contact details are only visible to registered journalists.