Behavioral response of brown meagre (Sciaena umbra) to boat noise.
Underwater man-made noise is recognized as a major global pollutant in the 21st Century, and its reduction has been included in national and international regulations. Despite the fact that many studies have pointed out the ecological impact of noise on marine organisms, few studies have investigated - in a field context - the behavioral response to boat noise in fish. In the present study we measure how Sciaena umbra reacts to boat noise. We found that boat noise: i) increased duration of flight reactions and number of individuals performing them, ii) increased the frequency of hiding behaviors, and iii) did not elicit a change in fish activity level and sound emission. Flights and hiding behavior, usually related to predation risk, were not uniform between individuals and showed a quick recovery after noise exposure. On the basis of these results, potential metabolic, physiological and behavioral consequences are discussed and management recommendations are proposed.
MareTerra Onlus - Environmental Research and Conservation, Regione Salondra 9, Alghero, Italy.
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La Manna
MareTerra Onlus - Environmental Research and Conservation, Regione Salondra 9, Alghero, Italy; NAUTA Scientific, Strada della Carità 8, Milano, Italy.
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Manghi
MareTerra Onlus - Environmental Research and Conservation, Regione Salondra 9, Alghero, Italy.
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Perretti
MareTerra Onlus - Environmental Research and Conservation, Regione Salondra 9, Alghero, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Via delle Scienze ed. 16, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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Sarà
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004924:Escape Reaction; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology; D007558:Italy; D009622:Noise; D012767:Ships / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013016:Sound
Behavior; Boat noise; Management; Mediterranean Sea; Sciaena umbra