The ocean environment has always included an abundance of natural noises, such as the sounds generated by rain, waves, earthquakes, and sea creatures but the effect and increase of anthropogenic noise in our oceans is a topic of growing interest.
Various levels of human-caused noise including military sonar exercises, oil and gas exploration, motor boats and jet-skis can all have an affect on dolphins and whales because these marine mammals spend most of their lives submerged which makes them vulnerable to such high sound intensities.
Cetaceans are acoustic animals, using their echolocation to search for food, communicate and find their way around the oceans. Exposure to man made sound can produce a range of effects on marine mammals - interfere with their ability to communicate with each other, behavioral changes and disrupt social bonds.
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