Meeting Abstract

 

25-3  Friday, Jan. 4 14:00 – 14:15  The effect of anthropogenic noise on Oyster Toadfish (Opsanus tau) vocalizations MACKIEWICZ, AG*; PUTLAND, RL; MENSINGER, AF; University of Minnesota Duluth; University of Minnesota Duluth; University of Minnesota Duluth macki059@d.umn.edu

Over the last century, human activities, including the use of motorized watercraft, have increased the amount of noise in the aquatic environment. The masking effect of overlapping frequencies produced by motorized watercraft and the hearing range of fishes could lead to a reduction in communication ability and ultimately a failure in mate attraction and detection. For the oyster toadfish, Opsanus tau, vocal communication and sound detection are critical for reproductive success, yet little is known about how they respond to changes in their acoustic environment. This study used passive acoustics to monitor and determine the effect of natural anthropogenic noise, produced by boats in situ, and artificial anthropogenic noise via speaker playback trials on toadfish. A four-hydrophone linear array was deployed in Eel Pond in Woods Hole, MA, where a natural population of toadfish and numerous motorized watercraft reside. Natural anthropogenic noise decreased the amount of vocalizations compared to artificial anthropogenic noise, which had a minimal effect. The amplitude and duration of the vocalizations, and location of individual toadfish were also characterized. The effect of anthropogenic noise on aquatic life is a fundamentally important topic in ecology. This study highlights that anthropogenic noise influences the underwater environment and vocal communication of aquatic life. Moving forward, passive acoustic monitoring of key species, such as the toadfish, can help management to prioritize acoustically sensitive times and areas.