Writings in the Sand

Noise Pollution in Marine Environments

Trying to concentrate this morning, distracted by the noisy fish.

I never realized how much noise a goldfish actually makes.

We bought a new filter for the fish tank. It's called a "Whisper". It doesn't even do that. The thing is virtually silent. Which means that I can now hear all the noises the fish makes.

Fish are not quiet. They don't glide silently through the depths with muted grace. It is not a calm and soundless world. At least not with this goldfish in it.

All I can hear in the background is the constant "clink clink" as the inhabitant of the tank (sometimes called "Fred", sometimes called "Finn", but mostly called "Fish") searches for food he's overlooked amongst the gravel. "Clink, clink" goes each pebble as he picks it up in his mouth to glean the food from it and then spits it out, slamming it against the tank wall.

How am I supposed to write under these conditions?