Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
Conservation Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Cowes, VIC 3922, Australia.
Mar Pollut Bull. 2024 Nov;208:116947. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116947. Epub 2024 Sep 14.
Vessel traffic is the greatest contributor to marine anthropogenic noise pollution, and particularly affects species utilising coastal areas. Seal Rocks (Victoria), the largest Australian fur seal breeding colony, has a relatively small vessel exclusion zone during the pupping and breeding season, when vessel traffic is at its peak. It is necessary to understand the impacts of visitation at sensitive marine sites to ensure they are adequately protected from human disturbance. This study assessed the behavioural response of hauled-out Australian fur seals at Seal Rocks to controlled vessel noise exposure during peak and off-peak vessel visitation periods. High level noise exposure (76-80 dB) resulted in increased vigilance and interruption to vital behaviours in both peak and off-peak periods. These behavioural responses were limited to the period of noise exposure but are nevertheless indicative of disturbance. It is important to ensure regulations intended to protect sensitive sites are up-to-date and evidence based.
船舶交通是海洋人为噪声污染的最大贡献者，尤其会影响到利用沿海地区的物种。海豹岩（维多利亚州）是澳大利亚最大的毛皮海豹繁殖地，在繁殖季节，当船舶交通达到高峰时，其幼崽和繁殖期间的船舶禁航区相对较小。有必要了解在敏感的海洋地点的访问的影响，以确保它们免受人类干扰的充分保护。本研究评估了海豹岩上搁浅的澳大利亚毛皮海豹对高峰和非高峰船舶访问期间受控船舶噪声暴露的行为反应。高水平的噪声暴露（76-80 dB）导致在高峰和非高峰期间警觉性增加，并中断了重要行为。这些行为反应仅限于噪声暴露期间，但仍表明存在干扰。确保旨在保护敏感地点的法规是最新的和基于证据的非常重要。
