Great Barrier Reef fish suffer from motorboat noise

Research conducted on the Great Barrier Reef indicates that exposure to motorboat noise during early developmental stages significantly impairs the growth and survival instincts of spiny chromis fish.

A study involving researchers from the University of Exeter, University of Bristol, and James Cook University found that fish exposed to boat noise during both embryonic and juvenile stages were less effective at escaping simulated predator attacks. While 80% of fish raised in natural reef sounds successfully performed an escape maneuver, only 68% of those exposed to boat noise responded correctly. Furthermore, 40% of the noise-exposed group mistakenly swam toward the threat instead of away from it.

The noise also impacts physical development; juveniles exposed to boat noise after hatching were found to be approximately 7% smaller on average than those in natural sound environments. These findings suggest that anthropogenic noise can have long-term biological consequences, affecting competitiveness for food and overall survival rates in the wild.