Behavioral responses by grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) to high frequency sonar

Abstract

The use of high frequency sonar is now commonplace in the marine environment. Most marine mammals rely on sound to navigate, and for detecting prey, and there is the potential that the acoustic signals of sonar could cause behavioral responses. To investigate this, we carried out behavioral response tests with grey seals to two sonar systems (200 and 375kHz systems). Results showed that both systems had significant effects on the seals behavior; when the 200kHz sonar was active, seals spent significantly more time hauled out and, although seals remained swimming during operation of the 375kHz sonar, they were distributed further from the sonar. The results show that although peak sonar frequencies may be above marine mammal hearing ranges, high levels of sound can be produced within their hearing ranges that elicit behavioral responses; this has clear implications for the widespread use of sonar in the marine environment.