Potential population consequences of active sonar disturbance in Atlantic herring: estimating the maximum risk (abstract)
conference paper
Effects of noise disturbance to fish populations may be predicted by using the four steps in the population consequences of acoustic disturbance (PCAD) model, with small scale exposure experiments as input. We have used the results from experimental studies on mortality and behavior of juvenile and adult herring exposed to naval sonar as input to the PCAD model. Based on reported threshold values of SEL and SPL at which adult herring do not respond to naval search sonar, we used a mathematical model to predict the potential risk to the population when these levels are exceeded. Our results show the risk to vary with the populations. During periods of low population density, e.g. during feeding, the risk of any population consequences is low even at relatively high sonar source levels (up to 225 dB[re 1μPa m]) and long duration exercises (>24 h). In periods when the population is densely packed, e.g. during the traditional overwintering, the risk of consequences at the population level increases. The actual risk depends on the threshold of response, which is unknown. Our calculations, based on thresholds of known ignorance, are conservative.
Topics
TNO Identifier
483532
Source title
3rd International Conference on the Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life, Budapest, Hungary, 11-16 August, 2013
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