title: Marine mammals and ocean noise: future directions and information needs with respect to science, policy and law in Canada.
abstract: Marine mammals are ecologically and culturally important species, and various countries have specific legislation to protect the welfare of individual marine mammals and the conservation of their populations. Anthropogenic noise represents a particular challenge for conservation and management. There is a large and growing body of research to support the conclusion that anthropogenic noise can affect marine mammal behavior, energetics, and physiology. The legal, policy, and management issues surrounding marine mammals and noise are similarly complex. Our objective is twofold. First, we discuss how policy and legal frameworks in Canada have some important differences from other jurisdictions covered in previous reviews, and provide a useful general case study. Secondly, we highlight some priority research areas that will improve marine mammal conservation and management. Our examples focus on the research needed to meet stated conservation objectives for marine mammal species in waters under Canadian jurisdiction.
authors.affiliation: Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8LB Scotland, UK; Oceans Initiative, Pearse Island, BC V0N 1A0, Canada. Electronic address: rmcw@st-andrews.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8LB Scotland, UK; Oceans Initiative, Pearse Island, BC V0N 1A0, Canada.
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ashe
authors.affiliation: WWF-Canada, Suite 1588, 409 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2, Canada; Procellaria Research & Consulting, 944 Dunsmuir Road, Victoria, BC V9A 5C3, Canada.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blight
authors.affiliation: Natural Resources Defense Council, 4479 W. 5th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6R1S4, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jasny
authors.affiliation: WWF-Canada, Suite 1588, 409 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2, Canada.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nowlan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000502:physiology*; D002170:Canada; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology*; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D011640:Public Policy
keywords: Canada; Management; Marine mammal; Ocean noise; Policy; Science