Increased recreational boating in the Mediterranean has intensified underwater noise pollution, potentially impacting cetacean behavior and habitat use, a concern particularly relevant in marine protected areas (MPAs) experiencing high levels of human activity. This study examines the relationship between anthropogenic underwater noise and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) occurrence in the Cabrera Maritime-Terrestrial National Park (CMTNP) using passive acoustic monitoring over a one-year period. Dolphin presence was measured using detection-positive hours (%DPH), while ambient noise was assessed across five 1/3-octave bands. Statistical models focusing on the 125–140 Hz and 1000–1122 Hz bands, linked to recreational vessels, revealed significant negative relationships between noise levels and dolphin presence during months of high boating activity. No significant effects were found at seasonal or diel scales. Spatial variability in dolphin occurrence was evident, but not directly explained by noise levels alone, suggesting other ecological factors may influence site use. Limitations include the inability to distinguish noise sources and reliance on static hydrophones. Findings underscore the need for adaptive management within MPAs, including seasonally targeted noise mitigation. Broader integration of environmental variables and mobile monitoring methods is recommended to better assess the cumulative impacts of underwater noise on dolphin distribution.
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