Bioacoustics disruption in marine environments: Reviewing the impact of anthropogenic noise on marine organisms

Anthropogenic underwater noise is increasingly recognized as a pervasive stressor in marine ecosystems, with significant implications for biodiversity and ecological health. This review synthesizes findings from the literature and studies conducted between 1992 and 2024, focusing on the impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine mammals, fishes, and sea turtles. Key sources of underwater noise include offshore seismic surveys, sonar systems, shipping activities, and oil and gas exploration. These sounds vary in intensity, frequency, and duration, resulting in a range of biological responses across taxa. The review identifies consistent evidence of behavioral disruptions, such as altered communication, foraging, mating, and migratory patterns. Physiological effects include hearing loss, tissue damage, endocrine disruption, and elevated stress hormone levels. Developmental impacts, particularly in early life stages, include growth abnormalities and sensory impairment. Species-specific variability in sensitivity to sound presents challenges for standardized assessments but underscores the need for targeted research. Mitigation strategies are also discussed, including passive acoustic monitoring, exclusion zones, soft-start procedures, and engineering controls such as bubble curtains and hydro sound dampers. These measures, while promising, require further evaluation for effectiveness across varying marine conditions. Given the rapid expansion of offshore industrial activity within Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone, this review highlights the urgent need for context-specific research and stronger regulatory frameworks. Raising awareness among stakeholders and informing conservation policy are essential to reducing acoustic impacts and preserving marine biodiversity.