Anthony Hawkins—A pioneer of fish bioacoustics

Abstract

For over 50 years since his first description of underwater sounds by the haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), Anthony (Tony) Hawkins has investigated numerous topics on fish bioacoustics and has been a leading pioneer in examining the production and reception of sound by fishes and more recently the impacts of anthropogenic sounds on fishes. Tony has worked on a diverse number of fish species including commercially important species such as the cod (Gadus morhua) and the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). He has investigated a number of important bioacoustic research topics that range from investigating the acoustic properties of swim bladders, examining how behaviorally-relevant sounds can be masked by sea noise, and determining the directional hearing sensitivities and capabilities of fishes. Throughout his career, Tony has strived to perform behavioral experiments on fish under the appropriate biologically relevant acoustic conditions in the natural environment, which can often be a more difficult but an effective and rewarding approach to conducting fish bioacoustic experiments. His classic experiments and important research findings on fish hearing are still referenced today and are regularly used in environmental impacts statements to estimate the hearing capabilities of fishes.