title: Does Masking Matter? Shipping Noise and Fish Vocalizations.
abstract: Shipping creates large near-field background noises at levels similar to or higher than fish vocalizations and in the same critical bandwidths. This noise has the potential to "mask" biologically important signals and prevent fish from hearing them; any interference with the detection and recognition of sounds may impact fish survival. The Lombard effect, whereby vocalizations are altered to reduce or exclude masking effects, is an adaptation that has been observed in mammals and birds. Research is needed to establish whether the Lombard effect occurs in fish to gain a better understanding of the implications of noise pollution on fish populations.
authors.affiliation: University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK. sarah.neenan@alumni.exeter.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Sarah T V
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Neenan
authors.affiliation: Fugro EMU Limited, Trafalgar Wharf (Unit 16), Portchester, Portsmouth, PO6 4PX, UK. rayner.piper@fugroemu.com.
authors.forename: Rayner
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Piper
authors.affiliation: University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK. P.R.White@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK. P.Kemp@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kemp
authors.affiliation: University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK. T.G.Leighton@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Timothy G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Leighton
authors.affiliation: University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK. P.J.Shaw@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D009622:Noise; D010470:Perceptual Masking / Q000502:physiology*; D012767:Ships; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Anthropogenic; Communication; Lombard effect; Vessel