Charting a Quieter Tomorrow: Navigating Towards Sustainable Soundscapes
Introduction
In the vastness of our oceans, marine life once thrived in a symphony of underwater sounds. However, this harmony now faces a threat – underwater noise pollution. While noise is often overshadowed by other sustainability concerns, its significance remains. In this blog, we'll explore the causes, impacts, and actionable measures to address underwater noise pollution, all while aligning with your sustainability plan.
Sources of Underwater Noise Pollution
Before we delve into solutions, it's crucial to understand the sources of underwater noise pollution within our ocean depths:
Seismic Surveys: Loud sounds during seismic surveys, used to map the sea floor, can reach noise levels of up to 260 decibels, significantly impacting marine life.
Shipping: Essential for global trade, ships emerge as a primary source of underwater noise pollution, interfering with the communication and navigation of marine animals.
Sonar: High-intensity noise from sonar, used for detecting underwater objects, can cause hearing damage and disorientation in marine animals.
Construction: Pile driving and other construction activities contribute to elevated levels of underwater noise pollution, potentially harming marine life.
Oil and Gas Exploration: The use of airguns in oil and gas exploration, among the loudest sources, poses a threat to marine ecosystems.
Understanding the Impact
The repercussions of underwater noise pollution on marine life can be profound:
Hearing Damage: Marine animals heavily rely on sound for communication, navigation, and finding food. Exposure to high levels of noise pollution can result in temporary or permanent hearing loss.
Behavioural Changes: Altered behaviour due to noise pollution manifests as stress, reduced feeding and mating activities, and increased vulnerability to predators.
Migratory Disruptions: Underwater noise pollution interferes with acoustic cues crucial for migration, disrupting established patterns for many marine species.
Masking: Overlapping sounds, known as masking, make it challenging for marine animals to detect vital cues, such as communication calls or approaching predators.
Injury and Death: Prolonged exposure to high levels of underwater noise pollution can lead to physical injury and, in extreme cases, result in the death of marine animals.
A Game-Changer for Sustainability
Within the EU's Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the establishment of limits signifies a shift in managing underwater noise pollution. These limits, in alignment with the Zero Pollution Action Plan, aim to regulate and minimise exposure, addressing both continuous and impulsive noise.
Descriptor 11 of the MSFD sets limits for impulsive and continuous underwater noise
No more than 20% of a marine area should be exposed to continuous underwater noise over a year.
Impulsive noise exposure should not surpass 20% over a given day and 10% over a year for a marine habitat.
Member States of the EU are responsible for integrating these threshold values into their marine strategies. This includes implementing specific measures, such as minimising noise from ships, developing methods to mitigate impulsive noise, and enforcing spatial restrictions on human activities. One tool that can be used is Marine Spatial Planning, which offers an ecosystem-based approach to managing noise-producing activities.
EU Sea Areas: Impulsive noise affects 8% of the EU's seas, with shipping impacting 27% of the Mediterranean and 19% of the Baltic Sea.
Ways for You to Reduce Underwater Noise Pollution
Reducing underwater noise pollution is not only about preserving marine life but also aligning with broader sustainability goals:
Reduce Vessel Speed: Slowing down vessels significantly decreases underwater noise pollution, aligning with sustainability goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants.
Quieter Propellers: Embracing quieter propellers with fewer blades, larger diameters, and slower speeds minimizes noise pollution generated by ships.
Acoustic Curtains: Installing acoustic curtains around construction sites or offshore wind farms absorbs sound waves, effectively reducing underwater noise pollution.
Redesign Ship Propellers: Investing in redesigned ship propellers with larger diameters and fewer blades proactively minimizes noise pollution.
Bubble Curtains: Utilising bubble curtains during pile driving activities creates a barrier of bubbles that absorbs sound waves and mitigates noise pollution.
Seismic Air Guns: Opting for seismic air guns in oil and gas exploration that produce less noise contributes to a reduction in underwater noise pollution.
Create Quiet Zones: Establishing quiet zones in areas known for marine habitats by implementing measures like reduced vessel speed, using quieter propellers, and avoiding the use of sonar.
Incorporating Noise Reduction into Your Sustainability Plan
The maritime industry plays a pivotal role in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 – "Life Below Water." Addressing underwater noise pollution should be an integral part of your sustainability plan. By doing so, the industry aligns with SDG 14's objectives, contributing to the preservation of marine life and the overall health of our oceans, while potentially saving you money in the long run.
Conclusion
As we navigate the complexities of underwater noise pollution, setting limits becomes a guiding light for a sustainable maritime future. By embracing solutions and integrating noise reduction into broader sustainability plans, the industry can play a crucial role in preserving the natural symphony of our oceans. Together, let's chart a course toward a sea filled with the tranquil sounds of its original inhabitants, fostering a harmonious coexistence between human activities and marine ecosystems.
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