Resolution on High Intensity Oceanic Sounds

WHEREAS, the biosphere on which all mammals depend is showing pervasive signs of stress originating from the increasing levels of human numbers and activity; and

WHEREAS, the intensity and prevalence of sound generated by human activity in the world's oceans (such as ship noise, acoustic thermography, seismic acoustical profiling, oil and gas production, and military activities) has escalated over the past 150 years; and

WHEREAS, sound is extensively used in communication, reproduction, navigation, and foraging by marine mammals; and

WHEREAS, the impact of present levels of sounds originating from human activities in the oceans has not been adequately evaluated and there is at present insufficient information to assess the potential for these sounds to affect marine mammals detrimentally;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The American Society of Mammalogists, at their 75th Anniversary Meeting at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., 18-23 June 1994, expresses concern regarding all forms of high amplitude noise pollution on marine mammals and strongly recommends that more research be conducted to evaluate the shortand long-term impacts of these sounds on marine mammals and their environments.