© Denys Yelmanov / iStock
Underwater Noise
Until recently, most Arctic waters were home to naturally occurring sounds that marine life could interpret and rely upon for activities like feeding, mating, communicating and navigating.
But as the climate crisis continues to warm temperatures and melt sea ice, the Arctic Ocean is increasingly affected by underwater noise from intensifying rates of shipping, oil and gas exploration, and infrastructure development.
Why are we concerned?
Marine mammals use underwater clicks, whistles and songs to communicate with their young, search for food, find mates and avoid dangers. But these naturally occurring sounds can be drowned out by human-made cacophony. Propeller cavitation from shipping, sonar from navy vessels in search of new oil and gas sources, and construction noise as new infrastructure is built all emit sounds that penetrate deep into the ocean, increasing underwater noise pollution.
Industrial underwater noise significantly alters the behavior of marine mammals, especially whales, affecting their hearing, causing stress, disrupting feeding, hindering mother-calf communication, and frightening off fish, their main prey. For instance, beluga whales can detect icebreaking ship sounds up to 85 kilometers away, prompting panic and flight at 35 to 50 kilometers. Narwhals modify vocalizations and head toward shore when exposed to ship noise. Seismic surveys also trigger escape responses in seals and whales. Of the more than 100 species systematically reviewed worldwide, every one of them shows negative responses to underwater noise.
A 2021 Arctic Council report found that the amount of underwater noise in the Arctic Ocean doubled in just six years because of shipping traffic. This is a staggering figure, considering that it took oceans in other parts of the world 30 to 40 years to reach that magnitude of increase. The study also found that underwater noise was high in regions of the Arctic where shipping overlaps with high densities of Arctic marine mammals, including narwhal, bowhead and beluga whales, seals and walrus. Many coastal Indigenous Peoples depend upon these animals, so there is an urgent need to understand the impacts on them.
Solutions
© naturepl.com / Espen Bergersen / WWF
Tangible actions are readily available
Governments must boldly commit to reducing underwater noise levels. Quieting the ocean doesn’t necessarily mean halting all industrial l development in the Arctic. Technology-wise, it means building new ships with quieting technology, ending seismic surveys for oil and gas, and accelerating the transition towards (low noise) renewable energy sources.
This also means keeping underwater noise out of important habitats at important times of the year for wildlife and reducing ship speeds in general. In addition, ships that travel more slowly produce less noise pollution. Slower speeds inadvertently regulate underwater noise.
© Pascal Kobeh / naturepl.com / WWF
Make underwater noise guidelines mandatory
Policy-makers must better manage shipping in the region to protect the Arctic’s majestic animals and unique ocean ecosystems. Management of underwater noise should be mandatory in the Arctic as neither governments nor the shipping industry have adopted the voluntary guidelines developed in 2014 and revised in 2024 by the International Maritime Organization, rendering the guidelines largely ineffective. Mandatory guidelines need to apply not just to protected areas, but all areas with seasonally high densities of noise-sensitive marine life, such as critical marine mammal migratory routes.
What is the WWF Arctic Programme doing?
© Doc White / naturepl.com / WWF
Advocating to reduce underwater noise pollution
WWF is working towards robust, precautionary regulation, backed by science, to safeguard marine mammals and other noise-sensitive species from the increasing threats of underwater noise pollution. We are doing this by working with the International Maritime Organization and advocating for mandatory regulations to reduce its impacts. We are also working with the Arctic Council working group PAME (Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment) on a project to better understand the sounds in the Arctic Ocean, predict noise levels up to 2030, and create plans to reduce underwater noise effects through operational and technological changes.
© WWF Global Arctic Programme
Implementing ArcNet – a conservation framework
ArcNet, an Arctic Ocean Network of Priority Areas for Conservation, is a readymade framework that outlines key areas for conservation across the entire Arctic Ocean. By designing a network of priority areas, ArcNet helps strengthen the resilience of Arctic biodiversity.
Our goal is to ensure the protection of 30 per cent of the Arctic Ocean by creating a network of Protected and Conserved Areas. This framework, complete with a map, a guide, tools and methods will help Arctic nations fulfill their commitments.
