Progress report for
Informing global policies to reduce ocean noise for the benefit of marine life protection and the sustainability of global fisheries
Achievement at a glance
OceanCare contributed to quietMED for the implementation of the second cycle of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in the Mediterranean Sea.<br>
<br>OceanCare attended the 19th UNICPOLOS meeting on Anthropogenic Underwater Noise and served as a panelist. We held two side events. One on "The Role of Environmental Impact Assessment in Managing the Impacts of Noise on Marine Food Web and Higher Trophic Levels" and one on Managing Ocean Noise Pollution through the new BBNJ Instrument under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
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<br>OceanCare attended the 33rd FAO/COFI and informed about the relevance of this issue for the fisheries sector and identified the potential role of FAO to conduct further studies on the impacts of anthropogenic noise on fish and invertebrates, marine resources and associated socioeconomic impacts. COFI encouraged the FAO to conduct such a review. OceanCare developed a concept note for a possible study by FAO and proposed to the GFCM at its 42nd meeting a joint workshop to particularly consider the Mediterranean region. As a partner of the GFCM FishForum we organised a side event on the issue.
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<br>OceanCare participated at the BBNJ PrepCom and IGC1 and advocated for specific measures to manage anthropogenic ocean noise pollution under 1) the element implementing environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments to prevent, reduce and control transboundary marine pollutants, and 2) the element for establishing a legal framework for the application of area-based management tools, including marine protected areas, to identify, designate and manage ocean areas in need of enhanced protection.
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<br>OceanCare supported measures to ensure the application of general conservation principles and approaches in planning and decision making in all provisions of ILBI, including best available scientific evidence, global best practice standards, ecosystem-based management, inter-generational stewardship, transparency, meaningful oversight and consultation, and the precautionary principle.
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Beneficiaries
1. Marine ecosystem
<br>2. Marine life including fish stocks
<br>3. Fishervolk
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Actions
1. Participation at the 19th UN open-ended informal consultative process on anthropogenic underwater noise pollution, served as panellists and organised two side events.<br>
<br>2. Participation at the 33rd FAO/COFI meeting to inform delegates about the relevance of the issue for fisheries.
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<br>3. Participation at the 42nd GFCM Commission meeting to inform the delegates about the relevance for fisheries and specifically the Mediterranean region and proposal of a joint GFCM/OceanCare workshop on the impact of noise, invertebrates and fish resources.
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<br>4. Participation of the FAO/GFCM FishForum and organising a side event on the issue with invited experts including a Norwegian fisherman to present a case study from the Lofoten.
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