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Ocean Acoustics

The NOAA Fisheries Acoustics Program is investigating all aspects of marine animal acoustic communication, hearing, and the effects of sound on behavior and hearing in protected marine species. Specifically, the program is:

• Developing acoustic exposure policy for NOAA
  • Developing marine mammal acoustic guidance
  • Providing technical analysis for NOAA Incidental Take Authorizations and Biological Opinions involving human sound sources based on the best available marine mammal acoustic science
  • Articulate NOAA's vision for addressing ocean noise impacts over the next 10 years via NOAA's Ocean Noise Strategy
• Supporting research in a variety of areas to address critical data needed to improve and expand these criteria (working directly with NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology)
  • Leading efforts to develop a global passive acoustic noise-monitoring network [pdf] in key marine environments around the world

More Information

• Cetacean and Sound Mapping Working Groups
  • Podcast: Blinded by the Noise- Whales and Dolphins in a Noisy Ocean
• Federal Task Force on Anthropogenic Sound (JSOST 2009) [pdf]
• Shipping Noise
• Sonar
• Behavioral Response Studies/Controlled Exposure Experiments
• NOAA Fisheries
  • Alaska Fisheries Science Center
  • Northeast Fisheries Science Center
  • Northwest Fisheries Science Center
  • Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
  • Southeast Fisheries Science Center
  • Southwest Fisheries Science Center
• NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Acoustics Program (formerly VENTS Program)
• Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
• Learn more about sound

Updated: June 6, 2016