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Seismic survey noise disrupted fish use of a temperate reef

Publication ,  Journal Article
Paxton, AB; Taylor, JC; Nowacek, DP; Dale, J; Cole, E; Voss, CM; Peterson, CH
Published in: Marine Policy
April 1, 2017

Marine seismic surveying discerns subsurface seafloor geology, indicative of, for example, petroleum deposits, by emitting high-intensity, low-frequency impulsive sounds. Impacts on fish are uncertain. Opportunistic monitoring of acoustic signatures from a seismic survey on the inner continental shelf of North Carolina, USA, revealed noise exceeding 170 dB re 1μ Pa peak on two temperate reefs federally designated as Essential Fish Habitat 0.7 and 6.5 km from the survey ship path. Videos recorded fish abundance and behavior on a nearby third reef 7.9 km from the seismic track. During seismic surveying, reef-fish abundance declined by 78% during evening hours when fish habitat use was highest on the previous three days without seismic noise. Despite absence of videos documenting fish returns after seismic surveying, the significant reduction in fish occupation of the reef represents disruption to daily pattern. This numerical response confirms that conservation concerns associated with seismic surveying are realistic.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Marine Policy

DOI

ISSN

0308-597X

Publication Date

April 1, 2017

Volume

78

Start / End Page

68 / 73

Related Subject Headings

  • Fisheries
  • 4408 Political science
  • 4407 Policy and administration
  • 4104 Environmental management
  • 1801 Law
  • 1606 Political Science
  • 0502 Environmental Science and Management
 

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Paxton, A. B., Taylor, J. C., Nowacek, D. P., Dale, J., Cole, E., Voss, C. M., & Peterson, C. H. (2017). Seismic survey noise disrupted fish use of a temperate reef. Marine Policy, 78, 68–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2016.12.017
Paxton, A. B., J. C. Taylor, D. P. Nowacek, J. Dale, E. Cole, C. M. Voss, and C. H. Peterson. “Seismic survey noise disrupted fish use of a temperate reef.” Marine Policy 78 (April 1, 2017): 68–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2016.12.017.
Paxton AB, Taylor JC, Nowacek DP, Dale J, Cole E, Voss CM, et al. Seismic survey noise disrupted fish use of a temperate reef. Marine Policy. 2017 Apr 1;78:68–73.
Paxton, A. B., et al. “Seismic survey noise disrupted fish use of a temperate reef.” Marine Policy, vol. 78, Apr. 2017, pp. 68–73. Scopus, doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2016.12.017.
Paxton AB, Taylor JC, Nowacek DP, Dale J, Cole E, Voss CM, Peterson CH. Seismic survey noise disrupted fish use of a temperate reef. Marine Policy. 2017 Apr 1;78:68–73.
Journal cover image

Published In

Marine Policy

DOI

ISSN

0308-597X

Publication Date

April 1, 2017

Volume

78

Start / End Page

68 / 73

Related Subject Headings

  • Fisheries
  • 4408 Political science
  • 4407 Policy and administration
  • 4104 Environmental management
  • 1801 Law
  • 1606 Political Science
  • 0502 Environmental Science and Management