Underwater hearing in sea ducks with applications for reducing gillnet bycatch through acoustic deterrence.

ABSTRACT: As diving foragers, sea ducks are vulnerable to underwater anthropogenic activity, including ships, underwater construction, seismic surveys and gillnet fisheries. Bycatch in gillnets is a contributing source of mortality for sea ducks, killing hundreds of thousands of individuals annually. We researched underwater hearing in sea duck species to increase knowledge of underwater avian acoustic sensitivity and to assist with possible development of gillnet bycatch mitigation strategies that include auditory deterrent devices. We used both psychoacoustic and electrophysiological techniques to investigate underwater duck hearing in several species including the long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis), surf scoter (Melanitta perspicillata) and common eider (Somateria mollissima). Psychoacoustic re

SUBMITTER: McGrew KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10658911 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature