Abstract
Marine seismic surveys are used to explore for sub-seafloor oil and gas deposits. These surveys are conducted using air guns, which release compressed air to create intense sound impulses, which are repeated around every 8–12 seconds and can travel large distances in the water column. Considering the ubiquitous worldwide distribution of seismic surveys, the potential impact of exposure on marine invertebrates is poorly understood. In this study, egg-bearing female spiny lobsters (Jasus edwardsii) were exposed to signals from three air gun configurations, all of which exceeded sound exposure levels (SEL) of 185 dB re 1 μPa2·s. Lobsters were maintained until their eggs hatched and the larvae were then counted for fecundity, assessed for abnormal morphology using measurements of larval length and width, tested for larval competency using an established activity test and measured for energy content. Overall there were no differences in the quantity or quality of hatched larvae, indicating that the condition and development of spiny lobster embryos were not adversely affected by air gun exposure. These results suggest that embryonic spiny lobster are resilient to air gun signals and highlight the caution necessary in extrapolating results from the laboratory to real world scenarios or across life history stages.
Highlights
Marine seismic surveys are used to explore for sub-seafloor oil and gas deposits
Economic concerns have been raised over reduced abundance and catch rates reported during and immediately following seismic surveys for a variety of fisheries species, e.g. blue whiting (Merlangus merlangus)[12], rockfish (Sebastes spp.)[13], cod (Gadus morhua) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus)[14], herring (Clupea spp.)[15], American lobster (Homarus americanus)[16] and snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio)[17]
In light of the substantial gaps in knowledge, the confounding methods employed by previous studies and the subsequent conflicting results, the present study investigates the impacts of seismic air gun exposure on the spiny lobster (Jasus edwardsii)
Summary
Marine seismic surveys are used to explore for sub-seafloor oil and gas deposits. These surveys are conducted using air guns, which release compressed air to create intense sound impulses, which are repeated around every 8–12 seconds and can travel large distances in the water column. From improving the current understanding of the sources of aquatic noise and the methods and metrics used to quantify exposure, to the characterisation of sound propagation through the water, and the ability of marine invertebrates to produce and even sense sound It is not surprising, given these substantial gaps in knowledge, that industry groups representing commercially important invertebrates such as spiny lobsters[19] and scallops have cited concern over seismic surveys resulting in mass deaths[19,20], with one such incident blamed by industry groups for the loss of AU$70 million worth of scallops
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