Re: Penguins on the southern coast

On the weekend i went down to look for the Macaroni/Royal Penguin reported down at Johanna Beach. It was nearing high tide, and there was no sign of it apart from a few mystery tracks leading up behind the dunes. But they could have been tracks from anything...

On the beach however, were four beach-washed Fairy Penguins and i'd assume there were more along the coastline. Also down at  Blanket bay in the Otway NP,  were at least another 8 beach-washed Fairy Penguins.

Someone on the list reported them a couple of weeks ago???  Has anyone else noticed this phenomena? Does anyone know what might be causing this?

Interestingly, someone mentioned to me on the weekend that the fisherman down at Apollo Bay have been concerned with the use of ultrasonic equipment by oil exploration companies. They are concerned that it is killing fish, and driving them further out to see to escape the ultrasonic frequencies. Could this be affecting the Fairy Penguins???

I did a brief search on the internet, and found the following link to a study of ultrasonic waves on marine life (primarily fish):

http://www.imr.no/fishbehave/presentations/3-Wednesday/3We_0955_Popper_combined.pdf

I've summarised the findings and conclusions of the study below.  I think it would be great if someone with access to the necessary scientific equipment and know-how could follow up the possibility of Fairy Penguins being affected by Ultrasonic Waves.  Perhaps one of the beach washed birds, can have its ear structure analysed for potential damage.

Peter




FINDINGS:

* Air guns have the potential to do major damage to fish ears
* While some fish might swim away, it is possible that as few as one or two exposures could damage ears
* Fish that don’t swim away could be subject to significant damage
* Since hair cells in fish ears are similar to those in mammals, it is possible that there could be implications for the effects of air guns on marine mammals
* Effects of increased noise on fish hearing on fish hearing


CONCLUSIONS:
High intensity sounds may have profound effects on ear structure.Thus, will cause significant changes in hearing for extended periods of time
Increased, but not intense, background noise will alter hearing abilities of fish
Differs in fish depending upon overall hearing capabilities Recovery is possible, but while loss is present this could put a fish at a strong disadvantage
in finding food and avoiding predators.