Every year, human-made noise fills the world’s oceans, drowning out the natural sounds that marine animals need to survive. Underwater noise from massive cargo ships, seismic airguns, offshore construction, and sonar operations disrupts the lives of countless marine species, especially whales and dolphins. These animals rely on sound to communicate, navigate, avoid predators, find mates, and locate food. When noise pollution drowns out this vital soundscape, it forces animals out of their habitats, confuses their migration routes, and can lead to injury, mass strandings, and even death¹.

The Silent Crisis Below the Surface

To us, the ocean might seem quiet, but it’s alive with sounds that are essential for marine life. For whales and dolphins, whose songs and calls echo across vast distances, sound is more than just communication—it's a lifeline. Yet today, industrial noise pollutes even the most remote ocean areas. According to researchers, the low-frequency noise produced by ships, oil exploration, and wind farm construction travels far underwater, interfering with marine animals’ natural sonar².

Without the ability to hear, whales and other marine animals face an uphill battle. They can’t avoid approaching ships, leading to deadly collisions. They can’t follow their migration routes, leading them to strange, sometimes dangerous, waters. They can’t find mates, threatening their populations. Noise pollution isn’t just a nuisance; it’s a growing, life-threatening issue that has devastating impacts on biodiversity.

Why We Need International Awareness Now

Despite the serious threat ocean noise pollution poses, there is currently no international regulation in place to limit it. This lack of oversight leaves ocean ecosystems and marine species vulnerable to excessive noise from industry, placing survival on the line for countless creatures. The ocean is resilient, but without change, our waters will continue to become inhospitable for marine life.

Establishing an International Ocean Noise Pollution Awareness Day would bring critical attention to this invisible crisis. Such a day would educate the public, influence policy, and inspire international commitments to reduce noise pollution. An awareness day would provide a much-needed platform to discuss solutions and drive actions that limit noise at its sources—like improving ship design, slowing vessel speeds, and adopting quieter technologies for oil and gas exploration³.

Small Steps, Big Impact

Many scientists and organizations are already working on groundbreaking technologies to reduce ocean noise. For instance, acoustic monitoring buoys can detect whale sounds and alert ships to reduce speed or alter their routes, helping prevent fatal collisions⁴. New propeller designs and quieter construction techniques are also being explored to minimize noise pollution. But these solutions need support, commitment, and awareness to become standard practice.

Join Us in Protecting Our Oceans

We must act now to protect marine life from this invisible and preventable threat. An International Ocean Noise Pollution Awareness Day would mobilize communities worldwide to stand up for the ocean. By signing the petition, you’re taking a stand for a healthier, quieter ocean, where whales, dolphins, and countless other species can thrive without the constant threat of overwhelming noise.

Sign the petition today. Let’s make our oceans a safer home for marine life.

More on this issue:

1. Nell Lewis, CNN (26 September 2022), "An acoustic alert system could help to protect whales from ship collisions off Patagonia."
2. Sarah Bobbe, Ocean Conservancy (16 February 2022), "Reducing Underwater Noise from Ships."
3. OceanCare (8 June 2023), "Three industrial sectors have the tools to quieten the ocean."
4. University of Glasgow (25 January 2024), "New tech could help reduce ecological impact of underwater noise pollution."