title: Vessel Noise Promotes Hull Fouling.
abstract: Fouling of submerged vessel hulls due to the rapid settlement of algae and invertebrates is a longstanding and costly problem. It is widely thought that the presence of extensive vacant surfaces on vessel hulls is responsible for the rapid attachment and growth of biofouling. We investigated whether noise from vessels in port could also be involved in promoting the settlement and growth of common biofouling organisms on vessel hulls. Three important biofouling species exhibited significantly faster development and settlement and better survival when exposed to vessel noise compared with control species. The extent of these responses appeared to vary in relation to the intensity of the vessel noise and may help to explain differences in biofouling observed on vessel hulls.
authors.affiliation: Leigh Marine Laboratory, Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, 349, Warkworth, 0941, New Zealand. ja.stanley@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Jenni A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Wellington, 6021, New Zealand. Serena.Wilkens@niwa.co.nz.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilkens
authors.affiliation: Marine Biosecurity Research and Monitoring Group, Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, North Beach, WA, 6920, Australia. Justin.McDonald@fish.wa.gov.au.
authors.forename: Justin I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.affiliation: Leigh Marine Laboratory, Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, 349, Warkworth, 0941, New Zealand. a.jeffs@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Jeffs
mesh_terms: D057219:Biofouling; D009622:Noise; D012767:Ships; D013045:Species Specificity; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water
keywords: Hull biofouling; Larval settlement; Vessel noise