Noise impacts research in Golden Bay
The Marine Farming Impacts Group seeks to reduce the adverse effects of noise for marine creatures in Golden Bay.
Nelson / Tasman
The Marine Farming Impacts Group (MFIG) works to highlight the adverse effects of marine farming in Golden Bay. Noise from mussel boats affects many people around the bay. As marine farming expands, noise from the farming vessels will have adverse effects for marine creatures too. Noise travels up to five times further underwater and can cause marine creatures to change how they do things. Below are four key points about the effects of noise on marine creatures.
1 - Vessel noise can be audible over long ranges because the frequency composition of vessels overlap hearing thresholds of many marine mammal, fish and invertebrate species (though it's more complicated for invertebrates).
2 - Vessel noise has been associated with altered natural behaviours in marine mammals, as a result of noise.
3 - Noise interference is the most pervasive impact from vessels and is important because it is a precursor for behavioural responses and changes in a dolphin distributions.
4 - Main threat of vessel noise is not so much the immediate consequence on individuals but rather the long-term changes to noise exposure at the population level. Depending on how many new boats enter Golden Bay and operate daily, this could be of concern.
The Marine Farming Impacts Group seeks to understand noise effects on marine creatures by attaining an in-depth data and analysis from a marine biologist. Dr Matt Pine has indicated that he will do this research. He's based in Auckland and works with Styles Group on such matters. His research will involve using hydrophones to record the level of noise produced by vessels in the bay.
The recordings will inform his analysis of the potential impacts on marine creatures. Findings from this research will assist our understanding of the effects and provide evidence for policy makers. As you may be aware, the Tasman Environment Plan (TEP) is currently being created. This research can be used for input into the TEP to ensure that noise from marine farming is taken into account.
Your contributions will be put to good use and help the further understanding of noise impacts within the Golden Bay marine environment.
Thank you
Use of funds
The funds gathered will be used to cover the costs of noise research in Golden Bay by marine biologist. Dr Matt Pine. Any excess of funding will be used for further research in the bay.
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Thank you for your donation to this research project Nigel. This project will help us understand the extent of noise that is created by the marine farming industry and how these impacts could be influencing marine creatures within Golden Bay. The findings from the research will support our group's input into the Tasman Environment Plan to ensure that the effects of noise is taken into account. The findings from this research can also be useful for informing policy development at a national level. Thank you very much.
Thank you for your donation to this research project. We all benefit from reduced harm to nature. The research project will help us understand the extent of noise that is created by the marine farming industry and how these impacts could be influencing marine creatures within Golden Bay. The findings from the research will support our group's input into the Tasman Environment Plan to ensure that the effects of noise are taken into account. The findings from this research can also be useful for informing policy development at a national level. Thank you very much.
Thank you Astrid, we really appreciate your donation and will keep you posted on how things progress with the research project. The research will also assist with informing the Tasman Environmental Plan regarding the adverse effects of noise on marine creatures. If the marine farmers reduce their noise outputs, this will also be beneficial for the outstanding natural character of Golden Bay.
Thanks Nick for your donation to this cause, we really appreciate your donation and will keep you posted on how things progress with the research project. The research will also assist with informing the Tasman Environmental Plan regarding the adverse effects of noise on marine creatures. If the marine farmers reduce their noise outputs, this will also be beneficial for the outstanding natural character of Golden Bay.
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