SSC CGL DEST Previous Year – Marine Life & Ocean Sound

Many marine organisms rely on their ability to hear for their survival. Sound is a highly efficient means of communication underwater and is the primary way that many marine species gather and understand information about their environment. Many aquatic animals use sound to find prey, locate mates and offspring, avoid predators, guide their navigation and locate habitat, as well as to listen and communicate with each other. Oceans are full of sound. Waves, earthquakes and icebergs all contribute to the underwater soundscape. But so do human activities and this can be a problem for marine life as it can seriously affect their physiology, behaviour, reproduction and even survival. Shipping vessels, military sonar, seismic surveys and underwater construction all generate noise that can travel enormous distances through the ocean. This noise can mask the calls of whales and dolphins, making it harder for them to find mates or avoid danger. Some species of whales have been found stranded on beaches after military sonar exercises, suggesting that the noise disoriented them. Researchers are working on ways to reduce noise pollution in the oceans. Some shipping companies are redesigning their vessels to make them quieter. Governments are creating marine protected areas where noise-generating activities are restricted. Protecting the acoustic environment of the ocean is essential for the health of marine ecosystems and the survival of countless species.