Journal article
Respiratory and behavioral alterations in summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) exposed to pile driving sound
ICES journal of marine science, Vol.83(7), fsag128
2026
Abstract
Understanding the interaction of human activities in the ocean and key resources is vital for the coexistence of offshore energy development and sustainable fisheries. Pile driving, commonly used in offshore construction, produces high-intensity sounds that propagate over long distances through the seafloor and water column. These sounds can affect marine animals living in the water column; however, far less is known about the impacts on the numerous benthic species occupying the sediment–water interface. The summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) is a benthic flatfish that comprises an important fishery overlapping with offshore energy development along the US Eastern seaboard. In this field-based study, we employed novel operculum-mounted acceleration tags on flounder exposed to repeated pile driving activity to assess respiration changes and body movements associated with acoustic exposures. Flounders exposed to pile-driving sound increased respiration rates during both impact (high intensity, impulsive) and vibratory (lower intensity, continuous) hammering, compared to pre-exposure baseline and nonexposed counterparts. The heightened operculum pumping was not driven by swimming rates, but rather an apparent sound-induced stress response, primarily driven by the impact hammer technique. All fish but one showed at least one short-duration reaction to the impact hammering, although it was largely divergent whether each fish demonstrated an escape response (fight–flight) or breath-holding (freeze-hide). Both types of short-duration responses were most common during initial impact hammer sequences, declining in prevalence as sound treatments were repeated. Despite potential behavioral habituation, prolonged increases in respiration rate suggest that physiological impacts persisted. Such sound-mediated physiological impacts have not been previously reported for a benthic, swim bladder-less fish, such as flounder, underscoring the need for consideration of this taxon in offshore construction management.
Details
- Title
- Respiratory and behavioral alterations in summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) exposed to pile driving sound
- Authors/Creators
- Sierra D Jarriel - Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionYouenn Jézéquel - Institut Universitaire Européen de la MerAmelia Macapia - Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionNathan Formel - Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionSeth F Cones - Murdoch UniversityHannah Brewer - Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionJohn Collins - Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionT Aran Mooney - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- Publication Details
- ICES journal of marine science, Vol.83(7), fsag128
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Number of pages
- 14
- Identifiers
- 991005902080207891
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2026.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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