HAMMER: a tool to predict the impact of man-made noise on fishes

Fish and Noise: Why should we care? All fish sense sounds and use natural soundscapes (e.g. for finding food, choosing mates, orientation and predator avoidance). Fish can be impacted by noise (see next box). Fish underpin many marine food webs. Many fish species are commercially important and provide food security for millions of people. Several fish species are protected or are of conservation concern (e.g. salmon and eels). Underwater noise is included in national and international legislation (e.g. EC 2008; DEFRA 2009).