OSPAR inventory of measures to mitigate the emission and environmental impact of underwater noise (2016 update).

Abstract

The 2009 JAMP Assessment on the environmental impact of underwater noise recommended amongst others that OSPAR Contracting Parties in a next step should develop guidance on measures to mitigate noise emissions and the environmental impacts of underwater noise on the marine environment (OSPAR 2009a). The Quality Status Report 2010 recommended that OSPAR should increase efforts to develop, review and apply mitigation measures to reduce the impacts of underwater noise and develop Guidelines on best environmental practices (BEP) and best available techniques (BAT) for mitigating noise emissions and their environmental impacts (OSPAR 2010). The purpose of this inventory is to provide OSPAR Contracting Parties an overview of effectiveness and feasibility of mitigation options to avoid or reduce emissions and impacts of underwater noise, and to support OSPAR EU Member States in establishing programmes of measures in relation to underwater noise under the MSFD by 2015. The inventory is designed to help avoid and reduce the introduction of underwater noise and/or its impacts on the marine environment through a common understanding of best mitigation options and by aiding Contracting Parties in their choice of options in the management of underwater noise sources and ultimately by the application of best available techniques (BAT) and best environmental practice (BEP), as defined in Appendix 1 to the OSPAR Convention, for activities generating impulsive and/or continous noise underwater noise. Developing and employing adequate mitigation measures would help OSPAR Contracting Parties and any other interested party in their efforts to reduce potentially negative effects of anthropogenic underwater noise on the marine environment and to reach Good Environmental Status (GES) according to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in terms of underwater noise pollution for their national marine waters (Art. 9).