Shipping Noise and Cetacean Welfare

Commercial shipping generates chronic underwater noise pollution that impairs cetacean communication, foraging, and welfare across ocean basins.

Key Facts

Global shipping traffic has increased dramatically over recent decades
Low-frequency shipping noise has increased ambient ocean noise levels by 10-20 dB over 50 years
Noise masking affects whale communication, potentially reducing reproductive success
Blue whales have shifted song frequencies in response to changing ocean noise environments
Speed reduction of just 10% can decrease shipping noise by approximately 40%

Welfare Considerations

Chronic shipping noise represents a pervasive but largely invisible welfare threat to cetaceans. The frequency overlap between shipping noise and whale communication means that noise masking may force whales to vocalize more, travel to quieter areas for critical behaviors, or simply experience chronic acoustic stress. The welfare implications of being unable to communicate effectively with conspecifics or detect prey acoustically are significant. Unlike acute noise events, chronic shipping noise is difficult to link to specific welfare outcomes but affects entire ocean basins.

What You Can Do

Support the International Maritime Organization's shipping noise reduction initiatives
Choose shipping companies with voluntary slow steaming and noise reduction commitments
Support research into quieter ship propeller and hull designs
Advocate for low-noise shipping requirements in critical whale habitat areas
Reduce consumption of shipped goods where possible