Today, the oceans are louder than ever. Human activity – from cargo ships to offshore construction and seismic surveys – has dramatically increased background noise. Along major shipping routes, noise levels have risen many times over the past half century, often drowning out the signals marine animals depend on. The effects are profound. Animals may stop feeding, struggle to communicate, or abandon breeding grounds. Some are exposed to levels of sound that can damage hearing or even prove fatal. Yet solutions exist. Slower ships, quieter propellers, and new technologies can reduce noise significantly. The challenge lies not in possibility of change, but in the will to act.
