Noise pollution on coral reefs? — A yet underestimated threat to coral reef communities

Noise pollution is an anthropogenic stressor that is increasingly recognized for its negative impact on the physiology, behavior and fitness of marine organisms. Driven by the recent expansion of maritime shipping, artisanal fishing and tourism (e.g., motorboats used for recreational purpose), underwater noise increased greatly on coral reefs. In this review, we first provide an overview on how reef organisms sense and use sound. Thereafter we review the current knowledge on how underwater noise affects different reef organisms. Although the majority of available examples are limited to few fish species, we emphasize how the impact of noise differs based on an organisms' acoustic sensitivity, mobility and developmental stage, as well as between noise type, source and duration. Finally, we highlight measures available to governments, the shipping industry and individual users and provide directions for polices and research aimed to manage this global issue of noise emission on coral reefs. [Display omitted] •Natural soundscape is an essential property of any ecosystem, including coral reefs.•Underwater noise pollution, mainly from vessels, causes major disturbances to reef organisms.•We review the impacts of underwater noise pollution on the physiology and behavior of reef organisms.•We provide guidance for policy makers on how to mitigate noise pollution on reefs.•We suggest sound to be used in coral reef monitoring.