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Abstract This study examined the effects of human lab-generated noise (sweep tone) on the behaviour and biochemistry of a semi-terrestrial crab (Neohelice granulata). The experiment was carried out in tanks equipped with video- and audio-recording systems on a total of seventy-eight specimens. In total, 42 experimental trials with sweep-tone exposure and control conditions were performed using crabs in single and group layouts. After a habituation period of 30 min, the locomotor and acoustic (sound signals emitted by the crabs) behaviours were monitored for 30 min. During this time, the animals in sweep-tone conditions were exposed to ascending sweeps in a bandwidth range of 2.5–25 kHz. Exposure to sweep-tone noise produced significant changes in the number of signals emitted, locomotor behaviours and plasma parameters, such as haemolymph total haemocyte count and glucose, lactate and total protein concentrations, revealing that human noise could represent a disturbance for this crustacean species. Highlights • This study evaluated the effects of noise pollution on the behaviour and biochemistry of the crab Neohelice granulata. • The acoustic emissions of grouped specimens were significantly affected by the noise. • Locomotor behaviours of single and grouped specimens showed changes in the presence of noise. • Plasma parameters of single and grouped specimens were significantly changed in the presence of noise. • Noise pollution could play a threatening role for this semi-terrestrial crab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of recorded boat noises on the behaviour and biochemistry of the common prawn ( Palaemon serratus ) in laboratory settings. The experiment was carried out in a tank equipped with a video-recording system using six groups (three control and three tested) of eight common prawns (48 animals in total). After habituation for 1 h, the behaviour of the prawns was monitored for 1 h. During the last 30 min, the animals in the test groups were exposed to noise resembling a marine area with high anthropogenic acoustic pollution. The exposure to noise produced significant changes in locomotor patterns, presence inside or outside a shelter, total protein concentrations in the haemolymph and brain, DNA integrity, and the expression protein levels of HSP 27 and 70 in brain tissues, revealing a stressful effect of noise on this crustacean species. This study clearly reveals that invertebrates are likely to be susceptible to acoustic stimuli from boat's noise and that they are potential valuable targets for further and detailed investigations into the effects of the anthropogenic noise pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, many studies have evaluated the effects of anthropogenic acoustic disturbance on marine organisms. Sounds associated with shipping, seismic surveys, sonar, and many other such sources induce several types of effect on fish and marine mammals. In this regard, the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC has not only defined underwater acoustic noise as “the intentional or accidental introduction of acoustic energy in the water column from impulsive and diffuse sources”, but has also expressly identified it as a form of pollution. In 2014, the first Italian proposal has been defined with the aim of developing a widespread monitoring plan for sub-regions in European Union waters with respect to two different sub-programs concerning impulsive (Descriptor 11.1) and continuous low frequency (Descriptor 11.2) sounds. The objective of Marine Strategy Framework Directive is the implementation of a recording system for temporal-spatial data regarding impulsive sound sources arising from anthropogenic activities. The pressure, for Descriptor 11.1, is measured by evaluating the source level, or a suitable proxy for anthropogenic sound sources, measured over the frequency band 10 Hz–10 kHz (and up to 40 kHz for cetacean detection), that could have an impact on marine organisms. The Descriptor 11.2 would monitor trends in the ambient noise level within the 1/3 octave bands 63 and 125 Hz (centre frequency) (re 1 μΡa RMS; average noise level in these octave bands over a year) via observation stations. This monitoring plan aims to obtain noise maps of sea regions for the frequency band 10 Hz–10 kHz (and up to 40 kHz for cetacean detection) by improving existing geophysical/acoustic observation stations, e.g. those of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), as well as other medium- and long-term monitoring stations. The program also wants to define the level of damage caused by underwater noise, using underwater noise as an example to evaluate the impact of this type of noise on different marine organisms. Maritime spatial planning (MSP) and integrated coastal management (ICZM) have to employ an ecosystem-based approach that ensures the protection of the natural resources and provides the basis for carrying out the various monitoring activities. The Italian monitoring proposal on Descriptor 11 of Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) was used in order to analyze the strategic vision of the integrated maritime policy (IMP) between MSFD and MSP programs in terms of achieving Good Environmental Status (GES). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] This study evaluated the impact of boat noise on lobsters (Palinurus elephas). [•] Effects on lobsters were assessed using behavioural and biochemical parameters. [•] High levels of locomotor activity were observed in lobsters exposed to boat noise. [•] Exposure to noise produced significant high levels of haemolymphatic stress indexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Coastal areas are characterised by the choice of performance measures and/or reference points which may be critical in the environmental management process, determining the success of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) plan. The tools for the strategic control of ICZM plans are particularly important, although they are still not widely used at the local level. The following paper proposes the use of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) method of Kaplan and Norton (1992), which is a holistic management performance tool that can be used by managers to put into action their business strategy. In particular the methodology has focused on the use of a BSC process, inspired by the Niven (2003) approach for public bodies. The BSC suggests the creation of a framework for the strategic assessment of plans and projects based on the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean (Protocol). An analysis of the Protocol has been carried out according to the BSC model, and it shows how it can be integrated with assessment and environmental management tools, such as the Driving forces, Pressures, States, Impacts and Responses (DPSIR) framework. The proposed process has suggested a novel framework for analysing the ICZM plans of coastal managers and stakeholders. The analytical framework facilitates the examination of Drivers and causes of the ICZM strategy, the possible impact on society and coastal communities, the most appropriate measures to achieve the objectives and the practicalities of implementing such measures given the institutional context of where these are developed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present study evaluated the impact of sea background noise (the acoustic environment of the offshore aquaculture system) and onshore aquaculture system's ambient noise on the welfare of gilthead sea bream juveniles (Sparus aurata) through primary, secondary (biochemical and haematological indexes) and tertiary (growth performances) stress responses. The experiment lasted 120days during which two different playlists of acoustic stimuli were projected inside six experimental tanks (each condition was replicated in three tanks). Offshore aquaculture noise conditions were recreated as the typical acoustic field in proximity of an offshore sea cage for fish farming using a random sequence of quiet sea background and boat noises. The acoustic field inside an onshore open concrete tank for fish farming represented the onshore aquaculture noise conditions. The other three tanks were used as a control condition without acoustic projection. The weights and lengths of fish exposed to offshore aquaculture noise were higher than the specimens in the control and onshore aquaculture groups. Moreover, higher levels of serum cortisol, glucose, red blood cell count, haematocrit value and haemoglobin content and lower levels of white blood cells were recorded in fish groups from the control and onshore treatments. These results allow us to hypothesise that offshore aquaculture noise and the sea soundscape in particular positively influence growth performance and could reduce stress and improve the welfare of the sea bream. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The physiological responses of fish to underwater noise are poorly understood and further information is needed to evaluate any possible negative effects of sound exposure. We exposed European sea bass and gilthead sea bream to a 0.1–1kHz linear sweep (150dBrms re 1μPa). This band frequency is perceptible by many species of fish and is mainly produced by vessel traffic. We assessed the noise-induced motility reaction (analysing the movements) and the haematological responses (measuring blood glucose and lactate, and haematocrit levels). The noise exposure produced a significant increase in motility as well as an increase in lactate and haematocrit levels in sea bream and sea bass. A significant decrease of glucose was only observed in sea bream. A linear correlation between blood parameters and motility in fish exposed to the noise was observed. The acoustic stimulus produced intense muscle activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study examined the effects of lab-generated acoustic signals on the behaviour and biochemistry of Mediterranean mussels ( Mytilus galloprovincialis ). The experiment was carried out in a tank equipped with a video-recording system using six groups of five mussels exposed to five acoustic treatments (each treatment was replicated three times) for 30 min. The acoustic signals, with a maximum sound pressure level of 150 dB rms re 1 μPa, differed in frequency range as follows: low (0.1–5 kHz), mid-low (5–10 kHz), mid (10–20 kHz), mid-high (20–40 kHz) and high (40–60 kHz). The exposure to sweeps did not produce any significant changes in the mussels' behaviour. Conversely, the specimens exposed to the low frequency band treatment showed significantly higher values of the following biochemical stress parameters measured in their plasma and tissues: glucose, total proteins, total haemocyte number (THC), heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression, and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. The responses observed in the mussels exposed to low frequency sweeps enable us to suppose a biological and ecological role for this sound, which contains the main frequencies produced by both shipping traffic and the acoustic emissions of fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]