Effetti comportamentali dell'esposizione a differenti livelli di intensità di suono nel branzino

Anthropogenic noise pollution is becoming increasingly pervasive in marine ecosystems, raising concerns about its effects on fish welfare and ecological functioning. European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax), a species of high ecological and economic relevance, are sensitive to low‑frequency sounds that overlap with common anthropogenic sources, including commercial boat noise. In this study, short-term behavioural responses to a 1-hour boat sound exposure, were examined under laboratory conditions. Six groups of seabass were each exposed to no sound (control) or to a distinct sound‑pressure level ranging from 110 to 150 (Level 1 – Level 5), allowing the effects of sound intensity alone to be investigated. Through video recordings, we quantified fish behavioural reactions to the sound in the first 120 seconds of exposure, assessing rapid changes in swimming activity and group cohesion. Differences in behaviours were observed between pre sound exposure and sound exposure, revealing a variation that was not always linear as the sound level increased. The findings provide insight into how noise intensity shapes immediate behavioural reactions in seabass, contributing to a better understanding of how escalating acoustic conditions may affect fish in increasingly noisy marine environments.