Boats and ships leave baby reef fish vulnerable to predators — ScienceDaily – The Hub Press
Boats and ships leave baby reef fish vulnerable to predators — ScienceDaily
When exposed to the noise of vessels, juvenile fishes decreased their activity, which reduced their swimming distance. Previous research found more active fishes learn faster about their environment and potential predators, which results in a higher chance of survival.
We also found juveniles exposed to boat and ship noise were slower to escape when exposed to a simulated predator attack. This is highly relevant as the timing of the escape response to a predator is critical for success — a slower fish is more likely to get eaten.
Human-made noise is easier to manage compared to other pollutants, which provides an opportunity to mitigate its effects on coral reef communities. The main goal of our research is to investigate the effects of noise on reef fishes in order to provide governmental institutions with information for its management and regulation. Future research will investigate the long-term effects of noise pollution on fishes and whether there are interactive effects with other stressors.
Materials provided by ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Tags: Fish; Marine Biology; Sea Life; Fisheries; Coral Reefs; Ecology; Environmental Issues; Pollution
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