How noisy boats damage squids: Loud motors cause temporary deafness

Even relatively harmless things from our everyday life can cause damage to animals around us.

A new study shows how noisy boats make squids temporarily deaf, and how it threatens their lives.

Let's find out more.

Noise affects squids just like humans

Loud concert speakers can leave your ears ringing, and it turns out that squid can experience something similar. 

Just 15 minutes of boat noise can temporarily deafen hummingbird bobtail squid. 

While they can regain their hearing within hours, the constant human noise pollution hinders their recovery. 

The study

Squid's sensitivity to noise stems from their delicate hearing organs called statocysts. 

A recent study exposed lab-cultured squid to recordings of idling boats, equivalent to the volume of a noisy restaurant. 

The squid displayed varied responses, with some appearing alert and others unfazed. 

However, their ability to detect frequencies between 100 and 1,000 hertz, crucial for predator detection, was impaired. 

Recovery took up to two hours. 

Why is it important?

This discovery highlights the potential deadly consequences for squid, as predators vocalize in this frequency range. 

Previous research has shown that chronic noise pollution can permanently damage squid's hearing. 

Protecting squid may involve limiting vessel traffic or underwater drilling to give them a break from constant exposure, allowing for recovery.
 

• Related news:
• wild animals
• research
• environment
• 20 June 2023

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