"Recordings by biologist Heike Vester reveal how oil and gas exploration as well as cruises, fishing boats and even whale-watchers are adding to the din underwater"

"From the moment that the biologist Dr Heike Vester presses play, the sound of the static of the fjord fills the room. First comes the constant, steady rumbling of a boat engine. Then, every eight seconds, like a foreboding bass drum, comes the explosion of seismic airguns – extremely loud blasts used in oil and gas exploration that can travel vast distances underwater.

And finally, dancing above it all – and at times drowned out by it – are the soaring vocalisations of whales.

“Here, we have sperm whales clicking, pilot whales and seismic airguns,” Vester says. During another recording playback, she points out the sound of a tourist boat’s gears shifting as it follows a group of feeding orcas.

Suddenly, as the engine sound becomes overwhelmingly loud, the whales’ calls become almost inaudibly faint. “It really affects their feeding,” she says.

“As soon as there’s boat noise, they can’t feed any more. Whale-watchers should be aware of that.”"

Miranda Bryant reports for the Guardian December 3, 2024. [2]