Summer science: Two stories from the ocean

In the final instalment of our summer science series, we bring you two stories from the ocean. First we have a story on marine noise pollution from Victoria University of Wellington Centre for Science in Society student, Xanthe Smith. Then, we have an episode on pāua from RNZ podcast Voices, presented by Kadambari Raghukumar.

In the final instalment of our summer science series, we bring you two stories from the ocean. First we have a story on marine noise pollution from Victoria University of Wellington Centre for Science in Society student, Xanthe Smith. Then, we have an episode on pāua from RNZ podcast Voices, presented by Kadambari Raghukumar.

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Sounds under the sea

Beneath the ocean surface, you might expect to find quiet. Instead, you'd hear a symphony of dolphin clicks and whistles, the snap-crackle-pop of shrimp, and grunting fish. You'd also hear the loud thrum of boat engines - an unnatural addition to the sea's soundscape.

These human-produced noises are causing problems for our ocean-dwelling neighbours - a phenomenon called noise pollution.

In this story, Xanthe takes us underwater to learn about the impacts noisy boats and machinery are having on animals like dolphins. She speaks to Dr Deanna Clement from the Cawthron Institute and Dr Matt Pine, a marine scientist specialising in acoustics and vibration.

Xanthe also takes a trip aboard Wellington's new electric ferry, and chats to skipper Mark McCormack. Compared to conventional vessels powered by fossil fuels, the electric ferry is much quieter. Could switching to electric help undersea animals?

Thank you to Dr Deanna Clement, Dr Matt Pine and Mark McCormack. This episode was produced by Xanthe Smith. Sound credits: Outboard motor, Tom Kieckhefer (CC BY-NC 4.0); harbour comparison, NC State University; New Zealand bigeye grunts, Craig Radford University of Auckland; snapping shrimp, Paul Perkins, NUWC Engineering; sea urchin/kina, Craig Radford University of Auckland (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0); common dolphin, Tom Kieckhefer (CC BY-NC 4.0); humpback whales, Tom Kieckhefer (CC BY-NC 4.0).

To learn more:

Alison Ballance listens to the underwater songs of Weddell seals in this episode of the award-winning series Voices from Antarctica

Matt was interviewed for this 2021 piece on the need for controls on underwater noise

Deanna featured in a recent episode of the Voices podcast

Passion for pāua …

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details