Read the passage below carefully and answer the question that follows.
For decades, oceanographic research focused predominantly on the chemical and physical degradation of marine environments, leaving acoustic pollution relatively ignored. However, recent hydro-acoustic monitoring along the Gulf of Guinea shipping corridors reveals that low-frequency commercial vessel sound continuously masks the communicative vocalizations of coastal marine fauna. This chronic sonic disturbance disrupts vital inter-species navigation, schooling behavior, and reproductive signaling. While marine conservationists initially urged localized speed restrictions as a quick remedy, bioacousticians argue that isolated vessel dampening fails to address the cumulative acoustic footprint of expanding maritime trade. Consequently, marine ecologists now advocate for a comprehensive oceanic noise budget system—an international regulatory framework that establishes hard decibel caps on regional shipping lanes. Without such systemic policy shifts, local mitigation efforts remain mere cosmetic interventions in an increasingly noisy oceanic habitat.
Which of the following statements best expresses the main idea of the passage?
- ALow-frequency noise from commercial vessels along the Gulf of Guinea disrupts the communicative vocalizations and navigation of coastal marine fauna.
- Systemic international policy frameworks establishing acoustic budgets are necessary to effectively control marine shipping noise pollution.Answer
- CLocalized vessel speed restrictions have proven effective in completely eliminating sonic disturbances in coastal shipping corridors.
- DOceanographic research has traditionally focused on acoustic pollution while neglecting physical and chemical environmental damage.