ACCOBAMS - Addressing impacts of ocean noise on cetaceans in the Mediterranean and Black Seas

ACCOBAMS considers ocean noise as one of its highest priority since it represents a major threat to cetacean conservation. Monitoring noise-producing activities in the region, such as construction, shipping, dredging, seismic surveys, particularly in cetacean critical habitats, and mitigating noise impacts on cetaceans are recognized as of high priority for achieving the ACCOBAMS objectives. Even if the institutional and legal frameworks are in place, addressing the lack of information and data in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, like in other parts of the world, is the key issue to assess ocean noise and to reduce its impact on marine biodiversity, in particular on cetaceans.

In the recent years, with the support of the Joint CMS/ACCOBAMS/ASCOBANS Noise Working Group, ACCOBAMS obtained several important achievements and reached important milestones through specific activities such as the elaboration of the basin-wide strategy for ocean noise monitoring in the Mediterranean Sea, the identification of noise hot spots in the Mediterranean Sea and the development of a Regional Noise Register Demonstrator.

To pursue these efforts, the ACCOBAMS Permanent Secretariat has committed to assist the UNEP/MAP in formulating a regional strategy, by developing agreed indicators on ocean noise to be monitored in order to assess the status of the marine environment and ecosystems under the Ecosystem Approach (EcAp) of the Barcelona Convention.

The ACCOBAMS Permanent Secretariat has also committed to undertake part of a regional project the QUIETMED project - coordinated by CTN - Marine Technology Center (www.ctnaval.com) and funded by the DG Environment of the European Commission. The QUIETMED project - Joint programme on noise (D11) for the implementation of the Second Cycle of the MSFD in the Mediterranean Sea is aimed at enhancing cooperation among Member States in the Mediterranean Sea Basin to implement the Second Cycle of the Marine Directive and in particular to assist them in the preparation of their MSFD reports by 2018, in particular as regards Descriptor 11 on underwater noise. It will also contribute to address ocean noise monitoring gaps in the Mediterranean and improving coherence and adequacy of MSFD implementation. In addition to the ACCOBAMS Permanent Secretariat, 8 national partners from Mediterranean EU Member States are partners to this project.

These commitments will lead to reaching common approaches to the determination and monitoring of the marine environmental status through the development of a regional joint register on impulsive noise together with definition of thresholds, guidance on methodologies and policy recommendations for countries.

Capacity building activities will be also implemented for Third countries to promote and facilitate regional coordination on ocean noise.