Influence of Wind-produced Noise on Orientation in the Sole (Solea solea)

Abstract

Sole (Solea solea), telemetered in an enclosure using an acoustic positioning system, changed their swimming trajectories and orientation behaviour as a function of wind strength and direction. Monitoring of the spatial variation in both wind-generated currents and noise spectra in the enclosure indicates that these behavioural changes correspond to patterns in the spatial distribution of noise and to sound intensity. Thus, our observations indicate that sole perceives and reacts to horizontal variability in ambient noise levels. Such behaviour may be important in determining movements of fish populations at sea during poor weather conditions.