Current Knowledge Already Justifies Underwater Noise Reduction

In ‘Taking the Animals’ Perspective Regarding Anthropogenic Underwater Sound’, Popper et al. [1] discuss anthropogenic underwater noise management. We agree with the authors that ‘anthropogenic (man-made) sound has the potential to harm marine biota’ and that ‘regulation and mitigation should always be developed by looking at potential effects from the perspectives of the animals and ecosystems exposed to the sounds’. Their suggestion that ‘regulatory and mitigation decisions should be based on a comprehensive risk assessment of how sounds affect animals using robust analytical methods that help separate where effects are important from where they are not’ would also seem sensible.