Photo: DOCThe Cawthron Institute says a lack of rules controlling underwater noise is putting at risk some of our most endangered mammals. Some of the really loud noises like seismic surveys or military sonar can also actually directly kill marine mammals." The Lyttelton Port Company was the first in the country to take steps to protect its local Hector's dolphins and employed observers to spot them during pile driving for its new cruise ship berth. Underwater acoustic expert, Dr Matt Pine, said it's normally to gauge if things were getting noisier underwater because the sound made by boats was almost always there. A DOC spokesperson said addressing the problem would require an amendment to the Marine Mammals Protection Act.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 13, 2021 02:03 UTC