International harmonization of approaches to define underwater noise exposure criteria

Abstract

An international workshop was held in 2013 with a group comprised of scientists, regulators, and other stakeholders. The workshop focused on how new scientific information related to the effects of underwater noise on marine life influences permitting practices for human activities at sea. Also discussed were how individual countries regulate underwater noise and opportunities for harmonizing approaches on an international scale. The workshop was intended to build momentum toward an international exchange of information and to potentially establish a network for the regulation community. Large gaps in knowledge still exist. In particular, hearing sensitivity in baleen whales, long-term effects of TTS and relevant information on other taxa such as bony fishes, sharks, or invertebrate species, need to be studied more intensively. Regulators need reliable and understandable baseline information on cause-effect relationships. This information could be partially provided through targeted training material for regulators. Another critical regulator need is for opportunities to speak with each other and share knowledge across wide geographic regions. Additional keys to future success are commitments from the regulatory senior management and politicians, invite nations who were not represented in the discussions so far and raise awareness of this topic across a broad audience, including the public.

Hindcasting Soundscapes before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Selected Areas of the North Sea and the Adriatic Sea

“…Anthropogenic underwater sound creates potential risk for marine life with its possible effects on communication, prey-predator relations, behavioral changes, and temporary and permanent effects on hearing [1][2][3]. Underwater noise international regulations [4][5][6] aim to avoid the potential impact of the underwater sound caused by anthropogenic activities. Sound maps are a cost-effective tool to evaluate and monitor the underwater sound characteristics over large areas, as they do not require large-scale measurements [7][8][9].…”