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Research published in Nature has discovered how baleen whales - which include blue, grey and minke whales, make sound.
Research published in *Nature* discovered how baleen whales make sound.
Baleen whales include blue, grey, and minke whales.
The whales have a larynx that enables them to use low frequency sound.
They can communicate at less than 100 meters deep.
Their sound communication is at a maximum of 300Hz.
The same frequency is used by large cargo ships.
Researchers have yet to discover how these whales hear.
"Our oceans are filled with human made noise from shipping lanes, drilling activity and seismic guns."
External resources
Research published in Nature has discovered how baleen whales - which include blue, grey and minke whales, make sound. The work finds that these whales have developed a larynx that enables them to use low frequency sound to communicate long distances underwater. The work suggests that they can communicate this way when less than 100 metres deep, and at a maximum of 300Hz. This is the same frequency as the sound made by large cargo ships, meaning they are likely being drowned out by shipping, making it more difficult to communicate and find mates. Researchers have yet to dicover how these whales hear, to determine whether the noise we make is disrupting their communication.
Professor Coen Elemans, of the University of Southern Denmark, lead author of the work said: "our oceans are filled with human made noise from shipping lanes, drilling activity and seismic guns. We need strict regulations on this noise, because these whale are dependent on sound for communication. We’ve show that despite their amazing physiology, they literally cannot escape the noise humans make in the oceans."
The Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure (DfI) have consulted on their round 4 Road Noise Action Plan covering 2023 – 28.
Government response to the Environmental Audit Committee Inquiry into Airport Expansion and Climate and nature targets noise recommendations
Considerations of noise and soundscape are embedded in the Natural Resources Wales State of Natural Resources Report 2025.
Outcome of Welsh Government consultation on changes to permitted development rights including air source heat pumps.
A report commissioned by the Department for Business and Industrial Strategy to look at assessment of noise from onshore wind farms is now published.
The Welsh Government are consulting on changes to permitted development rights including air source heat pumps(ASHP).
The Government are seeking views on proposals for changes to the planning process for national infrastructure projects.
As part of their ongoing enquiry into the impact of airport expansion on climate and nature targets, the Environmental Audit Committee will be taking oral evidence tomorrow - Wednesday May 14th.
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