Israeli marine researchers have discovered that ship noise may significantly alter dolphins' communication patterns and navigation in the Red Sea. This groundbreaking study conducted by the University of Haifa focused on Israel's southernmost city, Eilat.
During the research, scientists recorded sounds of common bottlenose dolphins and the accompanying shipping noises. To analyze the complex dolphin whistles, the team developed advanced deep learning algorithms. These algorithms compared dolphin communication when ships were nearby to times when there was no ship presence.
The results revealed that dolphins modify their whistle sound patterns in response to ship noise, suggesting a unique mode of communication adaptation. This finding underscores the profound impact human activities can have on marine life and highlights the importance of protecting underwater environments from noise pollution.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
