planned research/knowledge initiative related to noise Peter - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Stock taking of ongoing and planned research/knowledge initiative related to noise Peter Sigray Helsinki November 2014

Organizations dealing with underwater sound and its impact (not a full coverage)

OSPAR EIHA and the JAMP • Information sharing • Mitigation measures of piling • Assessment – Monitoring – Data Managment • Focus on the registry Summary: UK is developing a registry, have started developing templates for reporting impulsive sound Netherland is investigating how to implement the D11

TG-Noise group of EU This group was involved in developing the Descriptor and later in writing the guidelines for the implementation Several reports have been issued by the group. They treat the implementation on a general level, the actual decisions have to be taken on national levels such as GES.

The Technical Group on Noise

ASCOBANS The Intersessional Working Group on the Assessment of Acoustic Disturbance concluded its work in 2009. The report, which includes guidelines for best practice mitigation measures, focuses on three main human activities: • use of active naval sonar (including from warships, sonobuoys and helicopters) • seismic surveys (including for oil and gas exploration and scientific research) • pile-driving (associated with coastal developments and marine renewable energy)

Recommendation 1: Similar guidance to that provided in the ACCOBAMS guidelines should be used in the ASCOBANS area. Recommendation 2: A description of monitoring and mitigation procedures should be included in the permit request; including definition of appropriate equipment and, where appropriate alternative technologies. Recommendation 3: Monitoring and mitigation measures should be developed on a case by case basis so that they suit local conditions. Recommendation 4: Mitigation measures should be more precautionary/restrictive for activities for which scientific information is limited or for situations where uncertainties are high. Recommendation 5: In cases where the applicant is already required to adopt a mitigation policy, the more restrictive rules should apply.

ACCOBAMS The guideline is listing • Gerenal Guidelines • Guidelines for (military sonar and civil) high power sonar • Guidelines for seismic surveys and airgun uses • Guidelines for coastal and offshore construction works • Guidelines for offshore platforms • Guidelines for Playback & Sound Exposure Experiments • Guidelines for shipping • Guidelines for other mitigation cases • Explosive disposal of residual war weapons, use of explosives for testing or for decommissioning structures • Underwater acoustically active devices

Summarizing NGO • Precautionary principle • Mitigation possible • Principles for handling described Inter-Governmental Agencies • Coordinating the D11 regionally • Informing the parties on on-going plans and activities

UK (CEFAS) Developing the registry • Defining input information (templates) • Defining the details of the map/chart of the registry • Looking into legislation for reporting

Netherlands

Germany Development and grouping of legislation on noise in the marine environment (immissions and emissions) Recommendation of acoustistic mitigation measures when building new ships (e.g. „ Blauer Engel“, GAUSS “Quality Shipping” initiative) Establishment of a register for impulsive noise and shock waves and standardised obligatory reporting requirements Acoustic online monitoring of the presence of marine mammals prior to or during incidents of impulsive noise Deduction of thresholds for biological effects on relevant species in preparation for their application e.g. in authorisation procedures and management of MPAs Concept for a monitoring network and development of international standards for noise mapping Development of noise mitigation measures for the Baltic Sea Development of threshold values for the introduction of heat from point sources

Research; planned and on-going Bristol (Radford) Exeter (Simpson) Leiden (Slabbekoorn) St Andrews (e.g., Miller, Tyack) Aarhus and SDU (Tougaard, Wahlberg) EU-founded projects BIAS – On-going implementing D11 Indicator 2 in the Baltic Region SHEBA – awaiting national negotiation) HELCOM – BalticBOOST; coordination of the Descriptors (proposal) AQUO – Biological experiments on impact on Cod, Porpoises and Squids SILENV COCNET – Coastal Network of marine protected area wind energy southern Europe PERSEUS – implement the principles of the Marine Strategy European Framework Directive across the Mediterranean and Black Seas. ACCESS – To assess climatic change impacts on marine transportation (including tourism), fisheries, marine mammals and the extraction of oil and gas in the Arctic Ocean.