The world of silence is not as silent as we might think. A healthy coral reef is as noisy as the busiest city. The inhabitants of the ocean are anything but quiet; indeed, there is a great variety of sounds underwater, including pops, clicks, grunts, hums, and even tinkles. On the other hand, a degraded reef sounds totally different.
According to some studies, fish and other marine animals are aware of this difference and tend to be more attracted to the sound of a healthy reef. This is the reason why recent research has demonstrated that playing the sound of a healthy reef on a degraded one can increase fish community settlement and development, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being of the reef itself.
In the wake of these studies, the Italian artist Marco Barotti, in collaboration with Padova University and Relaxound, chose Feridhoo as the base to develop his bioacoustics enrichment project. His team, together with Noohiri Diving Center staff, placed 3D sound sculpture prototypes made of ceramic and calcium carbonate near the nurseries of The Feridhoo Coral Restoration Project. A custom-made floating solar station powers the underwater loudspeakers to propagate the sounds of a healthy reef.
The project Coral Sonic Resilience, will kick off in September 2025. Over time, we will monitor any differences regarding fish presence and abundance. The importance of the bioacoustics enrichment project lies in its potential beneficial effects in accelerating ecosystem recovery in combination with reef restoration activities.
Stay tuned for future updates!
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