Underwater noise pollution has become such a nuisance that whales and sharks are changing their territories, although it’s still an under-investigated field.

While taking a bath recently, I was surprised when I put my head under water. The room was quiet, but below the surface, the peace was destroyed by a loud and constant thrup thrup thrup as the water amplified the sound of machinery somewhere in the building. That must be what it’s like for sea creatures when humans invade the oceans with ships, oil rigs and ports. Like an annoying neigbour revving his car outside your home day and night, and you have no way to stop him.

Underwater noise pollution has become such a nuisance that whales and sharks are changing their territories, although it’s still an under-investigated field. A far more visible and violent effect of our intrusion are the regular collisions of ships with whales – like the MSC cruise ship that docked in New York in May with a 13-metre sei whale dead across its bow.