As noise levels in the oceans continue to increase due to human activity, whales are being forced to reduce their diving activity. This reduced activity has serious consequences for their health, as the forced fasting they are forced to endure weakens them over time. In this article, we will examine how maritime activities, including military operations and maritime trade, are affecting one of the planet’s most sensitive and important ecosystems.
From Noisy Confusion to Fatal Damage
In the narrow funnel of the Strait of Hormuz, intense military activities create shock waves and harmful changes in water pressure. These phenomena pose serious threats to marine species that are not adapted to these conditions. Underwater explosions can literally kill fish or cause permanent damage to the auditory systems of marine mammals such as whales and dolphins.
Aaron Bartholomew, a professor of biology at the American University of Sharjah, points out that “intense maritime activity can lead to temporary movements of whales and dolphins away from areas of high noise.” However, the long-term effects of modern maritime collisions can be deadly, as hearing loss in cetaceans is common. Even if hearing damage is not immediately fatal, long-term impairment can make them livestock more vulnerable to other types of stress.
Naval mines, often found in areas of high maritime activity, pose similar risks. When detonated, they create shock waves that can damage the internal organs of fish and damage the hearing organs of marine mammals. These conditions cause species to be temporarily or permanently displaced, affecting their biology and social interactions.
Even in confined corridors like the Strait of Hormuz, short-term impacts can have long-term consequences. The temporary removal of whales and dolphins can disrupt natural feeding patterns and habitat use, leading to ecological pressures that can last for years.
The Nature of the "Slow Current"
The Arabian Gulf is a uniquely vulnerable area, as water circulation occurs very slowly. A complete water renewal can take from two to five years, which means that any pollutant—whether from πετρέλαιο, fuel or other materials—can persist long after the initial event, thus affecting both the surface and the seabed of the ecosystem.
Bartholomew warns that a large oil spill in the Strait of Hormuz could have serious consequences: “Such a spill could seriously contaminate beaches and affect turtle nesting areas, such as the Sir Bu Nair Islands.”
Accordingly, oil spills can destroy adult sea turtles and sea snakes, while also affecting nesting habitats. The consequences also extend to marine mammals, such as Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, that live in the waters around the area, as well as seabirds.
Additionally, whale sharks that migrate seasonally into the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz are also vulnerable. These animals feed near the surface, making them susceptible to contaminants such as oil. Bartholomew adds: “Although oil floats, storms and high waves can spread the oil to greater depths, seriously affecting the health of corals in the region, especially off the Iranian coast.”
Surface pollution can also have unexpected effects on the behavior of marine species. Oil spills can create shadowy spots on the water's surface, attracting small fish and, potentially, other marine animals, such as turtles and sharks, to the polluted waters.
