{"id":15618,"date":"2026-08-16T09:14:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T14:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=15618"},"modified":"2026-08-16T09:00:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T14:00:42","slug":"panama-expert-whale-study-exposes-45-marine-noise-pollution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/environment-wildlife\/panama-expert-whale-study-exposes-45-marine-noise-pollution\/","title":{"rendered":"Panama Expert Whale Study Exposes 45% Marine Noise Pollution"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Isla Contadora, boat engines were audible in 42.6% of all monitored hours during a year-long acoustic study. This single figure helps explain why scientists in Panama now regard marine noise pollution as a growing threat to humpback whales and other cetaceans. Seven underwater microphones deployed across the Pacific coast captured more than 30,000 audio files, and the first processed results point to a clear pattern. When vessel noise increased, the probability of recording whale songs dropped by 40% to 45%. That decline suggests engine sounds can directly interfere with whale communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d7889.35814271637!2d-79.04192320499307!3d8.62677636567742!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8e533e36cea570bd%3A0xe182618fed540031!2sContadora%20Island!5e0!3m2!1sen!2spa!4v1786888691814!5m2!1sen!2spa\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" style=\"border:0;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Acoustic Monitoring Network Spans Seven Coastal Sites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Between May and June 2025, researchers installed hydrophones at Contreras, Ladrones and Paridas in Chiriqu\u00ed, C\u00e9baco in Veraguas, Iguana in Los Santos, and Bon\u00e1 and Contadora in Panama province. The pilot project is called &#8220;Study of the acoustic landscape of cetacean habitats and anthropogenic impacts in the Panamanian Pacific.&#8221; MiAMBIENTE leads the national effort with local coordination by MarViva and Panacetacea. The broader regional program operates under WWF Mesoamerica, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme and financed by the Global Environment Facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More than 4,000 of the 30,000 recordings have been processed so far. The acoustic data doesn&#8217;t only capture whale songs. It also records fish, snapping shrimp and passing boats. Researchers use these sounds to understand how the ocean soundscape changes and how human activity relates to cetacean presence. The results show a strong seasonal shift. During the rainy season, 59.2% of recordings contained acoustic activity. In the dry season, that figure fell to 28.1%. Humpback whale songs appeared in 32.7% of rainy season recordings compared with only 0.5% in dry months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/environmental-crew-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Environmental crew Ship noise and marine noise polution affect whale populations in the Pacific off Panama PhotoCredit MiAMBIENTE\" class=\"wp-image-15615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/environmental-crew-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/environmental-crew-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/environmental-crew-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/environmental-crew-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/environmental-crew-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/environmental-crew-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Environmental crew Ship noise and marine noise polution affect whale populations in the Pacific off Panama PhotoCredit MiAMBIENTE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marine Noise Pollution Impacts Whale Communication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The study confirms that humpback whales migrate from the southern hemisphere to Panamanian waters between July and October. These warm waters offer favorable conditions for breeding and rearing calves. But the <a href=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/environment-wildlife\/panama-whale-season-sees-stricter-rules-after-vessels-incidents-chasing-mothers-for-photos\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/environment-wildlife\/panama-whale-season-sees-stricter-rules-after-vessels-incidents-chasing-mothers-for-photos\/\">same months also attract maritime tourism, diving and sport fishing<\/a>. The overlap creates a management challenge. At Isla Contadora, engine noise was present during 42.6% of monitored hours, and daytime activity accounted for 74.5% of that noise. Isla Iguana recorded the second highest level of vessel noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whales and dolphins depend on sound to communicate, navigate and find food. Digna Barsallo, national director of Coasts and Seas at MiAMBIENTE, described the stakes in direct terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;When human-caused noise interrupts that soundscape, it affects their behavior, health and survival. Measuring that impact is the first step to protecting them with decisions based on scientific evidence&#8221; [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Researchers emphasized that a 40% to 45% reduction in the likelihood of detecting whale songs doesn&#8217;t necessarily mean whales flee every time a boat passes. It may mean the animals stop vocalizing, change frequency or move away from preferred habitat. In any case, the interference matters because song is a reproductive signal for males and a social cue for mothers and calves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Ship noise and marine noise polution affect whale populations in the Pacific off Panama PhotoCredit MiAMBIENTE\" class=\"wp-image-15616\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ship noise and marine noise polution affect whale populations in the Pacific off Panama PhotoCredit MiAMBIENTE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Four-Pronged Strategy for Quieter Waters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">MiAMBIENTE has outlined four lines of action based on the initial data. The first is maintaining long-term acoustic monitoring and expanding recording sites. The second is incorporating real-time sound data into the management of marine protected areas. The third involves organizing <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/MarineTraffic\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/MarineTraffic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">maritime traffic<\/a> in sensitive zones through speed limits and best practices for whale watching tourism and fishing. The fourth focuses on expanding science and technology, including artificial intelligence, to detect and analyze sounds automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Claudio Gonz\u00e1lez, a marine resources specialist with the Sustainable <a href=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/environment-wildlife\/gulf-of-chiriqui-marine-park-marks-32-years-protecting-panamas-pacific-treasure\/\" rel=\"internal\">Pacific<\/a> project, said the study will feed regional policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;The information obtained in this study will be part of the inputs for developing regional guidelines for responsible and sustainable whale watching in the Eastern Pacific Ocean region&#8221; [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The findings also support broader marine policy backed by scientific evidence, with participation from governments, organizations, academia and communities. That evidence gives Panama a stronger basis to regulate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.noaa.gov\/explainers\/ocean-noise-pollution\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">marine noise pollution<\/a> in sensitive zones. The goal isn&#8217;t to end all vessel activity, but to reduce noise in critical whale habitat during peak migration months. Speed limits, route adjustments and quiet-engine practices can help lower acoustic stress without halting tourism entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/meeting-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Meeting Ship noise and marine noise polution affect whale populations in the Pacific off Panama PhotoCredit MiAMBIENTE\" class=\"wp-image-15614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/meeting-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/meeting-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/meeting-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/meeting-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-150x100.webp 150w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/meeting-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1-450x300.webp 450w, https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/meeting-ship-noise-and-marine-noise-polution-affect-whale-populations-in-the-pacific-off-panama-photocredit-miambiente-1200x800-1.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Meeting Ship noise and marine noise polution affect whale populations in the Pacific off Panama PhotoCredit MiAMBIENTE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Panama and Canada Lead a Global Ocean Quieting Effort<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Panamanian results add to an international effort the country is leading alongside Canada. Both nations co-chair the High Ambition Coalition for a Silent Ocean, a group of countries working to reduce marine noise pollution generated by human activities. The coalition aims to protect marine species that rely on sound for survival. That global role gives Panama a platform to turn its acoustic data into concrete policy changes at home and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In August 2026, MiAMBIENTE and WWF organized a media field trip to share the pilot project results. Betzi P\u00e9rez, president of the Panacetacea Foundation, walked journalists through the findings. Technical staff and specialists from the Panama Maritime Authority, MarViva and the Sustainable Pacific project also participated. The event highlighted the practical application of hydrophone data for tourism operators, port authorities and conservation managers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a country whose identity and economy are tied to the Pacific and Caribbean, quieter oceans are not an abstract goal. Shipping routes, fishing grounds and whale watching destinations all intersect along Panama&#8217;s coasts. The hydrophone network offers a baseline for measuring whether future regulations actually reduce underwater noise. Long-term monitoring will be essential to know if the whales return to noisier sites when traffic slows, and whether calves can safely nurse and learn their mothers&#8217; calls. With evidence in hand, officials and researchers now face the harder task of turning acoustic data into quieter migration seasons for the whales that depend on Panama&#8217;s Pacific waters.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At Isla Contadora, boat engines were audible in 42.6% of all monitored hours during a year-long acoustic study. This single figure helps explain why scientists in Panama now regard marine noise pollution as a growing threat to humpback whales and other cetaceans. Seven underwater microphones deployed across the Pacific coast captured more than 30,000 audio<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15617,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[6155,6157,6158,6154,6156],"class_list":["post-15618","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-environment-wildlife","tag-marine-acoustic","tag-marine-noise","tag-noise-pollution","tag-noise-whale","tag-panama-pacific"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15618","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15618"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15618\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15619,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15618\/revisions\/15619"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15618"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15618"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}