Publications by authors named "Benjamin R Colbert"
Anthropogenic sound is a prevalent environmental stressor that can have significant impacts on aquatic species, including fishes. In this study, the effects of anthropogenic sound on the vocalization behavior of oyster toadfish (Opasnus tau) at multiple time scales was investigated using passive acoustic monitoring. The effects of specific vessel passages were investigated by comparing vocalization rates immediately after a vessel passage with that of control periods using a generalized linear model.
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- Bottlenose dolphins are migratory mammals found in both open-ocean and coastal areas, yet their patterns in the Chesapeake Bay are under-researched.
- The study analyzed three years of dolphin sightings using citizen science reports, finding that dolphins are most frequently seen during the summer, peaking in July, a trend confirmed by acoustic data.
- Statistical models identified that dolphin presence is linked to specific environmental conditions, such as spring tidal phases, warm water temperatures, and salinity levels, and could be used as a tool to predict dolphin occurrences in the Bay for better conservation management.
As the understanding of the possible impacts of anthropogenic underwater sound has increased, so have efforts been designed to reduce the effects to marine species and habitats. Consequently, over the last decade, a large number of new policies, regulations, and joint efforts to reduce anthropogenic sound and mitigate affects to aquatic life have been introduced internationally. The United States, Canada, the EU, and many regional and multinational organizations have implemented regulations governing underwater anthropogenic sound.
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