BarentsPortal

As described in chapter General background description of the ecosystem - Ecosystem interactions - Human impact, seismic activities can affect survival of fish, but this effect is limited to individuals closer than 5 meters from the sound source. Modelling studies have shown no population effect of seismic induced mortality at the larval stage of fish. Fish behaviour can also be affected by seismic activities, and this effect can extend more than 30 km from the seismic vessel. Marine mammals generally escape from area where seismic activities take place. In addition, communication between mammals may be affected by seismic activities. The overall impact from these behavioural effects is not known.