Whales to Benefit from
Reduction in Shipping
Noise
By: Jernisha Williams
Scie
ntist
s &
Orga
niza
tions
In
volve
d
• Dr. Mark Baumgartner • Scientist at Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution• Studies and researches top predator
ecology and the physical and biological oceanographic processes that allow predators to survive in the ocean
• In the article, he describes or explains how whales hear ships in the ocean and came up with new routes for ships.
• Dr. David Wiley• Research Coordinator at National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Designs and implements research projects to save endangered whales
• Wiley and his team of scientists found shattered bones and hematoma in whales, which indicated whales were being hit by ships
• International Maritime Organization• Responsible for the safety and
security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships
• Approved new shipping route provided by Dr. Wiley and his team
Wha
t's th
e Ar
ticle
Abo
ut?
• North Atlantic right whale is being
threatened by shipping routes
• Ships cause excessive noise and colliding
with whales
• Whales cannot communicate with one
another, locate food, and mate with each
other
• Causing decline in the whale population
• Scientists trying get companies to
change shipping routes
• Dr. David Wiley and his team have
calculated new shipping routes that have
been approved by the International
Maritime Organization
How It Relates to APES?• Noise pollution - any unwanted
or disturbing sound that can
potentially cause adverse
effects to the environment and
the surrounding species• Causes health issues and interferes
with species’ daily activities
• Population and the factors that
can cause a decline or increase
in the number of species• Includes pollution, loss habitat, or
loss of food
Ques
tions
?
• Are there ways of making
ships less noisy, if changing
shipping routes is not possible?• Could ships possibly install
passive sonars that can locate
whales, so ships can know to
change course?• Are other marine animals
being affecting by the noise? If
so, how are they affected?
My Thoughts
• Did not think it was a real big issue but it really is serious
• Noise pollution is real and it does affect the environment and animals
• Realized that noise can cause hearing issues, interfere with speech or communication, and cause stress
• Human activities are the main cause for noise pollution • We operate loud machinery like cars and
ships, we own factories that produce loud noises, and make tons of noise just by ourselves without any technology
• Humans need to reduce the amount noise we make• Find quieter ways of doing things