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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Improving ocean noise governance

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Government
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#OceanAction41322
    Description
    Description
    The Netherlands are committed to intensify research on underwater sound. The Netherlands have submitted a proposal for an international (joint) cooperation programme that aims at providing information on ambient noise levels in the North Sea region. Where the direct results of the programme can be used to identify the need for concrete measures in the North Sea region, the methodology that will be developed can be used at a much wider scale in other regions. Cooperation between monitoring initiatives in different regions and ocean basis would ensure that methodology between these initiatives is consistent and will lead to better understanding of underwater noise for all UN countries.

    Further research is needed on the propagation and effects of underwater sound on marine life, as well as behavioural and auditory studies, programmes to monitor the distribution of sound sources and the relevant marine species, and anthropogenic sound budgets. There is an urgent need to standardise methods for assessing the impacts of sound on marine species and to address the cumulative effects of different sources.
    Studies show that noise does affect marine organisms, but so far there is a lack of knowledge on specific effects and possible cumulative effects, which makes understanding of dose-response relationships difficult. For the management of underwater noise, more knowledge is needed to enable effective management action.
    Partners
    The Netherlands
    IGO (OSPAR)
    Nature
    Underwater noise

    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.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
    Intensify research on underwater sound
    Financing (in USD)
    500000
    Staff / Technical expertise
    The Netherlands lead the international consortium. The total contribution of the Dutch government to this programme includes programme management and scientific knowledge by Rijkswaterstaat and other institutes.
    Title Progress Status Submitted
    Partnership Progress 2019-07-09 On track
    False
    Action Network
    Ocean conference wheel logo
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    Timeline
    01 January 2018 (start date)
    01 December 2020 (date of completion)
    Entity
    The Netherlands
    SDGs
    Geographical coverage
    The Netherlands
    Ocean Basins
    Global, North Atlantic
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Marine pollution, Scientific knowledge, research capacity development and transfer of marine technology
    Website/More information
    N/A
    Countries
    N/A
    Contact Information

    Liz ter Kuile, Senior Advisor on Polar Affairs & Oceans