Westport has partnered with the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) to deliver the $13.5 million WAMSI-Westport Marine Science Program. This 3-year program is developing the latest data, information and modelling on the complex environmental systems and community values associated with Cockburn Sound.
Project 7.1: Baseline soundscape, sound sources and transmission
Research theme: Apex Predators and Iconic Species
Researchers: I Parnum, C Tollefsen, A Duncan and C Erbe
Publication Date: March 2025
Understanding the soundscape of the Sound
The new container port to be developed in Cockburn Sound, sits within an existing industrial area and shipping route and will see an increase in underwater noise generating activities in the area.
To understand the potential impact an increase in noise levels from shipping and port activities might have, a comprehensive study of underwater soundscape in Cockburn Sound was undertaken, with three main objectives:
- To create a baseline of underwater noise in Cockburn Sound
- To fill the gaps in knowledge of noise data in port operations
- To validated models to predict the soundscape of Cockburn Sound in the future.
To get the baseline of the current soundscape of Cockburn Sound, noise was measured across nine different sites in Cockburn Sound, and two outside the area. Three key types of noise were measured – geophony (wind), anthropophony (vessel and industrial), and biophony (marine life, including dolphins and snapping fish).
The data was then used to successfully develop a model that can be used to estimate sound impacts from different sources.
What the study found
- Industrial noise was more evident at the southern end of Cockburn Sound where the majority of the industrial and shipping activities are located.
- Due to the peculiarities of underwater acoustic propagation in Cockburn Sound, broadband ship noise at close range was higher (above 1000 Hz) from the bow of the ship, and varied considerably between ships of the same classes, but was not impacted by vessel speed.
- Pilot boats and tugs were involved in the arrival and departure of vessels contributed to high noise levels for a short time, with the loading phase quieter.
What the report recommended
To continue improving the noise propagation model, the report recommended further work to keep improving the data-set and modelling of impacts. This included a finer-scale, or more detailed, analysis of sounds from marine life to understand any behavioural changes in response to noise, and increasing the dataset from vessels and port operations.
How Westport will use this report
Westport will use this report to inform its environmental assessment and management strategies for the port development and operations, with the intent of avoiding, minimising and mitigating any impacts from increased noise within Cockburn Sound.
You can read the full report here.
