Noise Pollution in Hong Kong Is Drowning Out Dolphins

The subtropical sea that surrounds Hong Kong is a raucous area, with high-speed ferries whisking time-pressed entrepreneurs to meetings in towers, a continual stream of enormous freight ships, and unending coastal development.

The biggest isolated population of Chinese white dolphins (Sousa chinensis) is probably found in the Pearl River Delta, which is home to about 2,000 of them.

Noise pollution in Hong Kong drowns out dolphins

(Photo : RANU ABHELAKH/AFP via Getty Images)

The dolphins live in shallow estuarine waters close to land and are frequently referred to as the big panda of the sea.

In addition to challenges including dwindling prey supplies, habitat degradation, water pollution, and ship hits, a mounting body of research on the detrimental impacts of noise pollution has raised serious concerns, as per the National Geographic.

According to research conducted by the WWF in association with Seamar, StylesGroup Underwater Acoustics, the University of Victoria, and Oceanway Corp., the Chinese white dolphin's levels of foraging increased during the pandemic when ferry traffic stopped, as evidenced by the increase from 8.5% to 70% of observations.

Socializing increased by almost fourfold.

Experts say that noise pollution has indeed been neglected. According to a 2021 review of the literature in the journal Science, 90% of the 500 research examined indicated that excessive noise harmed marine animals, including whales, seals, and dolphins, as well as 4/5 of fish and invertebrates.

According to Benjamin Colbert, a researcher at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, noise pollution could have an impact on animals other than the visually appealing white dolphin and other prominent species.

The WWF has suggested several noise management strategies, including development prohibitions in dolphin habitat areas, nature-based coastal restoration, a crackdown on illicit fishing, the introduction of ferry speed limitations, and a reduction in travel frequency.

There are other options. The introduction of more effective propellers and the electrification of maritime fleets have already started.

Also Read: Underwater Noise Pollution Keeps Fish from Finding Home

Reducing the noise pollution underwater

The only surefire strategies to lessen the risk of upsetting marine ecosystems are to decrease noise-generating activity and the noise that is released from it, as per faunalytics.

Modifying propellers and/or hulls, performing routine maintenance, vibrationally isolating equipment, enforcing ship speed limits, and encouraging the use of fewer, larger boats are among the actions that can be taken to lessen the noise produced by maritime vessels.

Alternative foundations, such as floating bases, acoustic barriers, such as bubble curtains, and incentives for the installation of fewer, larger turbines are a few mitigation possibilities.

The main purpose of seismic surveys is to look for oil and gas deposits.

Low-frequency sound pulses from airguns used in the surveys can cause auditory damage, displacement, and an increase in the mortality of different marine mammals, fish, and zooplankton.

Marine vibroseis is a viable substitute for airguns since it generates less noise while generating seismic data that is at least as good.

The employment of quieter technologies is not currently encouraged, and there is no legislative pressure to do so.

Following the polluter pays principle (PPP), an incentive-based strategy would allow for the development of alternative technologies and the investigation of the impacts of surveys on marine life.