Research required to understand the impact of tactical mid-frequency sonar transmission on fish, fisheries and fisheries habitat: summary of stakeholder concerns and prioritized research plan from the Workshop on Mid-Frequency Sonar and Marine Fishes

Abstract

As reported in NPS-OC-07-004, analysis of public comments responding to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (October 2005) for the proposed Undersea Warfare Training Range (USWTR) in Onslow Bay off North Carolina identified three main areas of public concern. One of these concerns, the effects on fish and fisheries habitats of mid-frequency active (MFA) sonar, further identified four sub-areas of concern: catch rates, spawning choruses, distribution and migratory behavior, and physiological effects. A workshop was held in April 2007 at Duke University to address these sub-areas of concern. The purpose of the workshop was to outline a program of research that could help determine how MFA sonar might affect fish and fisheries resources. This report summarizes the recommendations that emerged from that workshop. Specifically, a long-term research and development plan is articulated, as well as the priorities within that plan.