Harbour porpoise responses to pile-driving diminish over time

Isla M Graham (Corresponding Author), Nathan D. Merchant, Adrian Farcas, Tim R Candido Barton, Barbara Cheney, Saliza Bono, Paul M Thompson

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

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Abstract

Estimating impacts of offshore windfarm construction on marine mammals requires data on displacement in relation to different noise levels and sources. Using echolocation detectors and noise recorders, we investigated harbour porpoise behavioural responses to piling noise during the 10-month foundation installation of a North Sea windfarm. Current UK guidance assumes total displacement within 26 km of pile driving. In contrast, we recorded a 50 % probability of response within 7.4 km (95 % CI = 5.7 – 9.4) at the first location piled, decreasing to 1.3 km (95 % CI = 0.2 – 2.8) by the final location; representing 28 % (95 % CI = 21 – 35) and 18 % (95 % CI = 13 – 23) displacement of individuals within 26 km. Distance proved as good a predictor of responses as audiogram weighted received levels, presenting a more practicable variable for environmental assessments. Critically, acoustic deterrent device (ADD) use and vessel activity increased response levels. Policy and management to minimise impacts of renewables on cetaceans have concentrated on pile-driving noise. Our results highlight the need to consider trade-offs between efforts to reduce far-field behavioural disturbance and near-field injury through ADD use.
Original languageEnglish
Article number190335
JournalRoyal Society Open Science
Volume6
Issue number6
Early online date26 Jun 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2019

Fingerprint

pile driving
porpoise
harbor
acoustics
echolocation
cetacean
marine mammal
behavioral response
environmental assessment
vessel
disturbance
deterrent

Keywords

  • acoustic disturbance
  • anthropogenic noise
  • behavioural response
  • environmental risk assessment
  • marine mammal conservation
  • Environmental risk assessment
  • Marine mammal conservation
  • Behavioural response
  • Acoustic disturbance
  • Anthropogenic noise

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Cite this

Harbour porpoise responses to pile-driving diminish over time. / Graham, Isla M (Corresponding Author); Merchant, Nathan D.; Farcas, Adrian; Candido Barton, Tim R; Cheney, Barbara; Bono, Saliza ; Thompson, Paul M.

In: Royal Society Open Science, Vol. 6, No. 6, 190335, 06.2019.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Graham, IM, Merchant, ND, Farcas, A, Candido Barton, TR, Cheney, B, Bono, S & Thompson, PM 2019, 'Harbour porpoise responses to pile-driving diminish over time' Royal Society Open Science, vol. 6, no. 6, 190335. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.190335, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4537181, https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.5qg30sd
Graham IM, Merchant ND, Farcas A, Candido Barton TR, Cheney B, Bono S et al. Harbour porpoise responses to pile-driving diminish over time. Royal Society Open Science. 2019 Jun;6(6). 190335. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.190335, https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4537181, https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.5qg30sd
Graham, Isla M ; Merchant, Nathan D. ; Farcas, Adrian ; Candido Barton, Tim R ; Cheney, Barbara ; Bono, Saliza ; Thompson, Paul M. / Harbour porpoise responses to pile-driving diminish over time. In: Royal Society Open Science. 2019 ; Vol. 6, No. 6.
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abstract = "Estimating impacts of offshore windfarm construction on marine mammals requires data on displacement in relation to different noise levels and sources. Using echolocation detectors and noise recorders, we investigated harbour porpoise behavioural responses to piling noise during the 10-month foundation installation of a North Sea windfarm. Current UK guidance assumes total displacement within 26 km of pile driving. In contrast, we recorded a 50 {\%} probability of response within 7.4 km (95 {\%} CI = 5.7 – 9.4) at the first location piled, decreasing to 1.3 km (95 {\%} CI = 0.2 – 2.8) by the final location; representing 28 {\%} (95 {\%} CI = 21 – 35) and 18 {\%} (95 {\%} CI = 13 – 23) displacement of individuals within 26 km. Distance proved as good a predictor of responses as audiogram weighted received levels, presenting a more practicable variable for environmental assessments. Critically, acoustic deterrent device (ADD) use and vessel activity increased response levels. Policy and management to minimise impacts of renewables on cetaceans have concentrated on pile-driving noise. Our results highlight the need to consider trade-offs between efforts to reduce far-field behavioural disturbance and near-field injury through ADD use.",
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