Regulating Ocean Noise: A Non-traditional Threat to Maritime Security

摘要

Ocean noise, sometimes referred to as noise pollution, is the intentional or incidental introduction of human-generated (anthropogenic) sound energy into the marine environment. Examples of activities causing anthropogenic ocean noise include commercial shipping, recreational activities, natural resource exploration, underwater construction, scientific research and military sonar use. Whenever man interacts with the world's oceans, he puts sound energy into the water column. While considerable scientific uncertainty exists on the potential affects of anthropogenic ocean noise on the marine environment, some parties allege myriad adverse significant impact on living marine resources. The alleged impact runs the spectrum from reduced commercial fish catch rates to biologically significant behavioural impact, to marine mammal mass strandings, injury and mortality.