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 has worked intensively with the co-chairs report of the 19th United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea on the issue of Anthropogenic Underwater Noise and promoted the issue in all relevant regional and international fora and decision makers.Almost all recommendations from the ICP meeting were reflected in the Co-Chairs report to the UNGA and several of them in particular on anthropogenic underwater noise and its potential consequences on fish resources and food security have been included in the Oceans Resolution A/RES/74/19 as well as in the Sustainable Fisheries Resolution A/RES/74/18. Whenever appropriate we have referred to these resolutions.
OceanCare Experts participated at the BBNJ PrepCom and Intergovernmental Conferences (IGC1, 2 and 3) 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;
We also expressed strong support for measures to ensure the application of generally accepted conservation principles and approaches in planning and decision making in all provisions of ILBI, including requirements for the use of the best available scientific evidence, global best practice standards, ecosystem-based management, inter-generational stewardship, transparency, meaningful oversight and consultation, and the precautionary principle.
At an EU level we continue to contribute to quietMED - a joint-programme on underwater noise for the implementation of the second cycle of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in the Mediterranean Sea together with the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS) and other partners.
Challenges faced in implementation
Resistance by the energy sector for a phase out of oil explorationsBeneficiaries
1. Marine ecosystem
2. Marine biodiversity
3. Stakeholders surrounding the ocean noise issue
Actions
1.& 2. Participation in regional and sectoral agreements, MEAs, RFMOs and UN Fora3. Capacity Building through workshops, lectures, presentations and webinars