Acronimo: SOS-BASS

Titolo: Effect of vessel noise disturbance on European sea bass

Bando: PRIN

Durata: 24 mesi

Coordinatore: PROF.SSA DANIELA BERTOTTO

Budget BCA: 98.905,00 €

Responsabile scientifico: prof.ssa Daniela Bertotto

Research Team: BERTOTTO DANIELA

Abstract: "It is demonstrated that the marine environment, similarly to the terrestrial one, is affected by noise pollution generated by human activities. Ship traffic is the main source of diffuse broadband noise in marine environments and also in aquaculture systems and, in general, exposure to ship noise can produce a wide range of harmful effects on invertebrates, fishes and marine mammals. The highest intensities of noise generated by vessels have been shown to be a potential threat for fish as they are included in the audiogram of most marine species. Exposure to ship noise pollution can elicit behavioral responses, increase physiological stress and appears to mask acoustic communication with effects on foraging, navigation and reproduction in fish. The need to understand the effects of this exposure on fish anatomy, physiology and pathology of the auditory system, as well as behavioral and adaptive responses has therefore become increasingly pressing. In addition, there is general consensus that long-term exposure to anthropogenic noise may lead to a chronic stress response but still few are the studies investigating its effects on fish fitness, reproduction and especially on behavior. The effects of noise pollution affect key industries, including fisheries and ecotourism and, in response, policymakers in some jurisdictions have made substantive high-level commitments to address noise pollution, however the implementation of noise reduction measures (noise abatement) remains limited. The present study therefore aims to broaden the knowledge in this topic by using, as a model, a key species for the Mediterranean and for offshore aquaculture, namely the European sea bass. The project will develop starting from a 12 month monitoring of the soundscape in an area of the north Adriatic Sea and will continue with the exposure of the animals to combinations of the recorded sounds in order to deepen the knowledge on the acoustic capabilities of the species and on the effects that acute exposure to combinations of these sounds produces in terms of morphological and sensory damage, stress and behavior. Following, on the basis of the results obtained in the tank, the experimentation will move to the cage to verify the effects of chronic exposure to one of these sounds on growth, immunity, stress, reproduction and behavior. The possible mitigating measures to reduce the impact of vessel noise on the animals in the environment will be then studied, and a mitigation plan will be devised. Among them, the project will also explore the possibility of using conditioning of animals to help them cope with exposure to this stressor. The project results will contribute to having a broader overview of maritime traffic impact on farmed fish and will suggest useful tools to mitigate the harmful effect on fish. Results will be widely disseminated among government, research and citizens raising awareness and guidelines."