New publication: Comparing the Effects of Boat Noise on Sedentary and Mobile Fish

Human activities have changed underwater sound environments dramatically, especially through boat traffic. This noise impacts fish, but the effects vary based on the behavior and lifestyle of the species.A chapter authored by FISHBIOACOUSTICS lab researchers Manuel Vieira, Paulo Fonseca, and Clara Amorim (2026) examines the effects of boat noise on both sedentary and mobile soniferous fish.This work also highlights the challenges researchers face when studying these effects and calls for better methods tailored to each species.

Boats produce sounds that are now common in many underwater environments. These sounds overlap with the frequencies used by many fish species. Boat noise can affect hearing, interfere with calling behavior, change movements, induce stress, and influence reproduction, posing challenges for fish. This chapter synthesizes species-specific data on the impacts of boat noise, highlighting how biological traits—such as mobility and reproductive strategies—affect both noise impact and detection methods. It revealed a methodological gap: while there is strong evidence of noise impacts on sedentary, nest-guarding species, data on mobile broadcast-spawners is limited and often indirect. The lack of evidence for pelagic species shouldn't be interpreted as a lack of effect; rather, it highlights current methodological limitations.

To improve our understanding of these impacts, it is essential to refine acoustic monitoring techniques for mobile species and incorporate their ecological traits into study designs. This approach will help avoid underestimating noise impacts, especially for pelagic and broadcast-spawning fishes, which are vital to marine ecosystems. For more detailed insights, read our new chapter.

Reference: Vieira, M., Fonseca, P.J., Amorim, M.C.P. (2026). Comparing the Effects of Boat Noise on Sedentary and Mobile Soniferous Fish: Behavioral and Methodological Insights. In: Popper, A.N., Sisneros, J., Lepper, P., Vigness-Raposa, K. (eds) The Effects of Noise on Aquatic Life IV. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-94229-7_149-1