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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Addressing the adverse impacts of underwater noise on migratory species

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    Description
    Description
    Anthropogenic ocean noise can have adverse effects on migratory species, such as disturbance to communication between individuals or disruption of navigation. Through its various instruments and working groups, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) has recommended Parties to undertake research of the impact of underwater noise, and to limit or mitigate man-made noise to address SDG 14 Target 14.1.

    Resolutions have been adopted at the last two Conference of the Parties (2008 and 2011), which address the severe impact of marine noise, and has allowed the progression of scientific research and its implementation into policy. These resolutions have given rise to the development of guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessments for Marine Noise-generating Activities, which have been submitted for review at the upcoming COP 12, as well as consolidations of resolutions and decisions.

    The Joint Noise Working Group (JNWG) of CMS, ACCOBAMS and ASCOBANS also serves as an advisory group to ensure the continuous progress towards mitigating the negative impact of underwater noise on cetaceans and other marine biota. The JNWG also works to reduce the effects of underwater noise generated because of offshore construction of renewable energy sources, such as offshore windfarms, and developed extensive mitigation measures in 2014 for windfarm construction. The need for the implementation of these guidelines will be reaffirmed at COP 12, putting emphasis on ongoing coordinated research on the impacts on migratory species.
    Partners
    UN Environment (United Nations Entity), ASCOBANS (United Nations Entity), ACCOBAMS (United Nations Entity)
    Nature
    Noise pollution

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Name Description
    14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
    14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
    14.a Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
    Guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessments for Marine Noise-generating Activities to be adopted at COP 12
    In-kind contribution
    o Contribution from governments, Parties of CMS, Scientific Council, Joint Noise Working Group
    Staff / Technical expertise
    o CMS acts as a facilitator to unfolding initiatives, and provides input and guidance during the implementation of recommendations. The Joint Noise Working Group also acts as an advisory group to the ACCOBAMS Scientific Committee, ASCOBANS Advisory Commit
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
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    Timeline
    01 January 2017 (start date)
    01 January 1970 (date of completion)
    Entity
    Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
    SDGs
    Geographical coverage
    Bonn, Germany
    Ocean Basins
    Global
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Marine pollution, Marine and coastal ecosystems management, Scientific knowledge, research capacity development and transfer of marine technology
    Website/More information
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    Countries
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    Contact Information

    Melanie Virtue, Head, Aquatic Species Team