Almost all species on Earth are prone to the hazards caused by sound pollution. Marine animals are no exception. Many studies have shown that loud sounds often cause major problems to the health of marine lives.
It is true that many of these animals need sound to navigate, to find food and mates, and to communicate. Yet, when the sounds become noise, they find it unbearable.
The main threats before them are military sonars, large ships, explosives, underwater construction and air guns. The effects caused by these factors are various. They include temporary and permanent hearing loss, disruption of communication, and subsequent stranding, habitat loss, serious injuries or even deaths from hemorrhaging and tissue trauma.
While bigger fishes like whales and dolphins show a greater resistance, smaller ones and soft shelled species like prawns, molluscs etc, are more sensitive to noise.
