If it's not one thing, it's another: "Marine Life gets Drowned Out as Oceans get Noisier"

Ocean News and Technology reports: Marine Life gets Drowned Out as Oceans get Noisier:

Obviously, the seal never heard it coming . . .

Human-generated noise, predominately caused by shipping, has been rising since at least the 1960s in line with trends in global trade. Now researchers are concerned that this increased noise is masking vocal communication between marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, limiting the range over which they can communicate.

In response to increased levels of noise in the oceans, recent research suggests that marine species may be changing their behaviour; something which could impact on individual survival and population levels.

And, of course, this add-on:

There is also growing evidence to support the idea that climate change will also impact noise levels in the oceans as much of the carbon dioxide linked to global warming is absorbed into sea, causing it to become more acidic. This increased acidity reduces the ocean’s ability to absorb sound, meaning global noise levels may rise in line with trends in carbon dioxide levels.

Sailing ships are much quieter, but it is hard to carry meet demand for all those iPads, etc when you are facing a transit lasting - what? - several weeks if not months. The sail boat record to Hawaii from LA is about 6 days and that boat wasn't hauling Nissans or Kias.

Personally, I blame "continental drifting" - and whoever caused the continents to be too far apart to allow us to use high speed rail . . . . .

Bring back Pangaea!

It might also help if we could get those damn noisy shrimp to stop their cavitation ruckus and shut up.