The acoustic world of fish: Sound ways to investigate migratory bottlenecks

Many fish species migrate through freshwater river systems related to seasonal or life cycle changes in habitat requirements. Human activities have negatively affected migratory fish populations in many ways. 156 Especially dams and dikes built for the protection of human populations against flooding often prevent exchange between water bodies. In many places at weirs, locks, or hydropower stations water flow is not only fully or partially blocked, but artificial water flow through pumping systems often yields an alternative passage way with high risk of mortality. Only recently, people are becoming fully aware of the importance of sound to fish survival, reproduction, and well-being. Given the fact that many waters have low visibility, hearing is often the dominant channel available to fish for gathering information about their underwater surroundings.

acoustics, noise pollution, bottlenecks, fish