Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and Bangor University have placed specialist recording equipment at three locations in the North Anglesey Special Area of Conservation to learn if human made and natural noise affects marine mammals.

As part of the Welsh Acoustic Marine Mammal Survey, recordings will be made between 30 and 60 metres underwater over an 18-month period to understand how mammals like harbour porpoise, bottlenose dolphin, Risso’s dolphin and common dolphin, use the area.

Natural noise includes strong tidal flows carrying sediment, weather conditions such as wind and rain on the surface of the sea, waves, and other marine life, while noise from human sources includes ships and boats, sonar, and the construction and operation of marine industries.

This project has received a grant from the Nature Networks Fund which is funded by the Welsh Government and delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with NRW to help tackle the nature and climate emergencies.

Alex Zalewski, NRW’s Marine Ecology Advisor for the project, said:

“Understanding ambient underwater noise levels will give us more information about the distribution of noise, its sources and identify effective management options to help build resilience in populations of marine mammals.

“At the end of the project we will have a better understanding of how to monitor underwater noise in locations that are naturally noisy, allowing us to study how best to acoustically monitor porpoises and dolphins in Wales.”

During the project the equipment will be recovered every three months and recordings analysed.