Ocean Noise Reference Network Established
In mid-October 2015, a network of 11 ocean noise reference stations was established in US waters to measure changes and trends in natural and man-made ocean noise. Monitoring baseline ocean noise is important to understand both natural and anthropogenic changes in the marine ambient sound environment.
Natural sounds ranging from whale calls and volcanoes to anthropogenic sounds from shipping and oil/gas exploration are recorded by the moored, underwater hydrophones developed by PMEL engineers and scientists and deployed in collaboration with NMFS-OST, all the Fisheries Science Centers, NOS Marine Sanctuaries, and the National Park Service. The establishment of a long-term record provides fundamental data needed to understand how increased noise in the ocean may affect marine life and ocean health.