Adorable video shows how sensitive seal hearing is (to human-made sounds...)
“Marine mammals have been found stranded on numerous beaches from Hawaii to the Canary Islands, Greece to Madagascar – all when sonar tests or other noisy industrial activity are taking place nearby. For many, the evidence is cut and dried.
And it's not just mammals that are at risk. Fish and marine invertebrates also seem to be greatly affected by sound. Loud, far-reaching noise – whether from sonar, pile drivers or acoustic guns – seems to cause stress and disrupt animal behaviour. Even the sound of ships could be a problem, especially in busy coastal regions. As ocean development continues, noise pollution is getting worse.”
excerpted from newscientist article “Ocean commotion: Protecting sea life from our noise”