Summary

• Long-term Arctic acoustic monitoring shows underwater noise changing with season, ice cover, and activity levels.
• Shipping is a major source of new noise, with vessel traffic rising as sea ice retreats.
• Narwhals are a recurring concern because ship noise can mask echolocation, interrupt feeding, and alter movement.
• The evidence base is shifting from general concern to measured baselines built from decade-scale observations in Nunavut.
• Policy discussion is moving toward quieter ship design, slower speeds, and mandatory rules rather than voluntary guidance.
• The topic is coherent and fairly dense, with strong current signal around Arctic ocean noise and marine ecosystem impacts.
• The underlying issue looks ongoing and structural rather than short-lived, tied to changing ice conditions and expanding access.