In the open ocean, whales rely on sound to survive. They use it to communicate, find mates, navigate migration routes, and avoid predators. But human activity has disrupted this natural sonar system. From massive cargo ships to underwater construction, the noise we introduce to the ocean has made it nearly impossible for these creatures to "hear" as they once did.

The Growing Noise Problem

For decades, humans saw the ocean as a “silent world.” That belief allowed industries to expand without understanding how sound traveled underwater. Today, we know better. Sound in the ocean travels far, and the low frequencies used by whales for communication overlap with those produced by ship engines and seismic surveys.

Modern shipping, seismic oil exploration, and offshore wind turbines have all contributed to an ever-noisier underwater environment. In 2021, more than 60 Chilean scientists called on their government to reroute ships, reduce speeds, and protect sensitive marine areas after a series of whale deaths off the coast, CNN reports. Noise pollution can disorientate whales, push them off migratory routes, and in some cases, cause fatal collisions with vessels.

New Tech to the Rescue

In another example, Dr. Wrik Mallik from the University of Glasgow is developing a model that uses artificial intelligence to predict how sound waves travel through the ocean in real time. This tool can help policymakers understand the environmental impact of noise pollution and set limits on shipping activities and offshore construction.

Dr. Mallik calls this a "breakthrough," explaining that real-time models “allow much more effective planning to help mitigate the effects of noise pollution on marine animals.”

Solutions in Ship Design

Reducing noise from shipping is critical, and much of it can be addressed with design changes and maintenance. Ships with polished hulls and quieter propellers produce less noise. Other design elements, like propeller alignment with the ship’s hull, can also reduce cavitation—the formation of bubbles that produce sound underwater. Slow steaming, or reducing ship speeds, has the added benefit of reducing both noise and fuel consumption, according to Ocean Conservancy.

In addition to design changes, regulatory changes could be on the way. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has begun revising its 2014 noise reduction guidelines to make them more effective. Sarah Bobbe, Arctic Program Manager at Ocean Conservancy, stressed that mandatory guidelines are essential to combat the rising tide of noise in critical habitats like the Arctic.

Wind Farms and Oil Exploration: Balancing Progress and Protection

Offshore wind farms and oil exploration use powerful tools that create loud, continuous noises, posing a further threat to marine life. Conventional oil exploration relies on seismic airguns that emit sharp, powerful sounds. Marine Vibroseis, an emerging technology, could replace airguns by using a controlled, lower-frequency sound better suited to marine environments, OceanCare reports.

Wind farms, though renewable, can also be noisy. OceanCare suggests noise barriers and quieter pile-driving techniques to reduce noise during construction, as some governments, like Germany, have already imposed noise limits on such projects. Lindy Weilgart, an expert at OceanCare, believes that "quieting technologies that reduce noise at the source will go furthest in reducing these impacts.”

A Long Road Ahead

The combination of acoustic monitoring, ship design improvements, and regulatory changes could make the ocean a quieter place for whales. But these solutions are not without challenges. Susannah Buchan from the University of Concepción told CNN that these technologies need to be scientifically validated and paired with other protective measures.

Noise pollution is a complex problem that requires multifaceted solutions. Still, with ongoing research and new tools, the ocean may one day be a safe and sound-filled sanctuary for whales again.

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