Attention has been drawn to the subject of how ocean noise affects marine mammals by a series of marine mammal strandings, lawsuits, and legislative hearings, and most recently, the report from the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. One way to assess the impact of ocean noise is to consider whether it causes changes in animal behavior that are "biologically significant," that is, those that affect an animal's ability to grow, survive, and reproduce. This report offers a conceptual model designed to clarify which marine mammal behaviors are biologically significant for conservation purposes. The report is intended to help scientists and policymakers interpret provisions of the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1 Introduction
2 Current State of Knowledge of Behavioral and Physiological Effects of Noise on Marine Mammals
3 How to Get From Acoustic Disturbance to Population Effects
4 Rational Management with Incomplete Data
References
Appendix A: Committee and Staff Biographies
Appendix B: Acronyms
Appendix C: Workshop Agenda and Participants
Appendix D: Draft Conceptual Plan for Workshop Discussion
Appendix E: Scientific and Common Names