Ultrasonic antifouling devices negatively impact Cuvier's beaked whales near Guadalupe Island, Mexico

Widespread use of unregulated acoustic technologies in maritime industries raises concerns about effects on acoustically sensitive marine fauna worldwide. Anthropogenic noise can disrupt behavior and may cause short- to long-term disturbance with possible population-level consequences, particularly for animals with a limited geographic range. Ultrasonic antifouling devices are commercially available, installed globally on a variety of vessel types, and are marketed as an environmentally-friendly method for biofouling control. Here we show that they can be an acoustic disturbance to marine wildlife, as seasonal operation of these hull-mounted systems by tourist vessels in the marine protected area of Guadalupe Island, Mexico resulted in the reduced presence of a potentially resident population of Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris). Human activities are rapidly altering soundscapes on local and global scales, and these findings highlight the need to identify key noise sources and assess their impacts on marine life to effectively manage oceanic ecosystems. Underwater noise made by ultrasonic antifouling devices near Guadalupe Island, a marine protected area, resulted in the reduced presence of Cuvier's beaked whales.

Automated summary

Concerns are raised about the effects of unregulated acoustic technologies on acoustically sensitive marine fauna worldwide. This study shows that ultrasonic antifouling devices can be an acoustic disturbance to marine wildlife, resulting in reduced presence of Cuvier's beaked whales. These findings highlight the importance of identifying key noise sources and assessing their impacts to effectively manage oceanic ecosystems.