Commotion in the ocean: Smart buoys to protect whales from noise

As noise pollution grows in the depths of the world’s oceans, whale populations, which rely heavily on sound for orientation and communication, are suffering. The Chilean government is deploying a network of hi-tech buoys to help protect the giant marine mammals and the wider ecosystem. — dpa

CASTRO, Chile: Ship engines, construction work on wind farms, military sonar: This underwater cacophony is dangerous for many sea creatures and especially for whales, which use sounds to orient themselves, find food and communicate with other animals.

If it gets too loud in their habitat the marine mammals can lose their bearings. Off the coast of Chile, the whales are now to be protected from noise pollution with a system of buoys that will also warn approaching vessels so as to avert collisions.