A large-scale experiment finds no consistent evidence of change in mortality or commercial productivity in silverlip pearl oysters (Pinctada maxima) exposed to a seismic source survey

Authors

Miles J G Parsons, University of Western AustraliaFollow
Diego R. Barneche, University of Western Australia
Conrad W. Speed, University of Western Australia
Robert D. McCauley, Curtin University
Ryan D. Day, University of Tasmania
Cecile Dang, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
Rebecca Fisher, University of Western Australia
Hosna Gholipour-Kanani, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
Stephen J. Newman, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-19-2023

Journal Title

Marine Pollution Bulletin

ISSN

Print: 0025-326X Electronic: 1879-3363

Keywords

Seismic survey, Noise impacts, Pinctada, Sound exposure levels, Particle motion, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Marine Biology

Abstract

High-intensity, impulsive sounds are used to locate oil and gas reserves during seismic exploration of the seafloor. The impacts of this noise pollution on the health and mortality of marine invertebrates are not well known, including the silverlip pearl oyster (Pinctada maxima), which comprises one of the world's last remaining significant wildstock pearl oyster fisheries, in northwestern Australia. We exposed ≈11,000 P. maxima to a four-day experimental seismic survey, plus one vessel-control day. After exposure, survival rates were monitored throughout a full two-year production cycle, and the number and quality of pearls produced at harvest were assessed. Oysters from two groups, on one sampling day, exhibited reduced survival and pearl productivity compared to controls, but 14 other groups receiving similar or higher exposure levels did not. We therefore found no conclusive evidence of an impact of the seismic source survey on oyster mortality or pearl production.

Recommended Citation

Miles J.G. Parsons, Diego R. Barneche, Conrad W. Speed, Robert D. McCauley, Ryan D. Day, Cecile Dang, Rebecca Fisher, Hosna Gholipour-Kanani, Stephen J. Newman, Jayson M. Semmens, Mark G. Meekan, A large-scale experiment finds no consistent evidence of change in mortality or commercial productivity in silverlip pearl oysters (Pinctada maxima) exposed to a seismic source survey, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 199, 2024, 115480 ISSN 0025-326X https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115480