Crackle, pop, woof, crunch, click. In the ocean, an undersea orchestra is in full swing. Journalist Kate Evans discovers who's playing in it and why, and what happens when human noise drowns out this symphony in the sea.

This episode was first released 29 February 2024.

Symphony in the sea

Journalist Kate Evans and presenter Claire Concannon discover a world of snapping shrimp, singing whales and barking John Dory.

Researchers Professor Craig Radford and Dr Jenni Stanley are uncovering more about the orchestra harmonising under the waves - who's playing in it, and why they are making these sounds.

Plus, what impact is our human noise - like boats - having on ocean creatures?

Learn more:

• Read the accompanying New Zealand Geographic article by Kate Evans, with photography by Richard Robinson.
• Recently researchers at the University of Auckland discovered that New Zealand rig sharks also make noise.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details