| dc.description.abstract | There is a growing concern within the scientific community about the effects of
anthropogenic noise on fish. Pile driving creates large amounts of noise, and especially
in the creation of bridges it has the ability to affect fish. Additionally, fish are now being
used in research studies within laboratories and can be exposed to a wide variety of
noises. Chronic exposure to extreme noises can lead to an increase in stress, reduced
growth, and ultimately mortality. The purpose of this thesis is to explore what
behavioural effects sounds from pile driving and closing doors have on the behaviour of
Rainbow Trout (Oncorhychus mykiss). To determine their effects, parameters measured
were the amount of time spent hiding, in groups and in the upper portion of the tank, on
a reference day, while the trout were exposed to recorded sounds, and during breaks
with sounds that simulated pile driving and closing doors.
The effects to the test sounds were limited to the amount of time spent in groups,
which was higher during the reference day when no noise was playing, suggesting fish
were dispersing as a result of the sounds. No differences in the amount of time spent
hiding or in the upper portion of the tank were found as they were approximately the
same during the reference and test days. Although effects were limited to group
behaviours, the effects of our tests sounds may have had an impact cortisol levels, which
was not tested. | en_US |
