Effect of boat noise on fish behavior

Coral reef fish larvae rely on reef sounds to locate suitable habitat for growth and development. However, the sound of boats can interfere with this process. Behavioral experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of boat noise on larval fish settlement. The results showed that 69% of the tested larval fish species (Apogon doryssa) swam towards reef playback sounds, while only 56% swam towards reef + boat noise playbacks. This suggests that the noise from boats can mask the sounds of the reef, making it harder for larvae to locate and settle in suitable habitat. This disruption could potentially have negative impacts on the overall health and biodiversity of coral reefs.

Read More
Holles et al. 2013