Working With Others to Reduce Ocean Noise

Unlike noise in the air that affects our everyday lives and is closely monitored and regulated, underwater noise has been largely ignored. Controlling the impacts and increase of underwater noise is an issue that needs to be tackled globally and yet there is currently no international body tasked with the powers to discuss or regulate underwater noise.

Because of its ability to propagate over very significant distances (from meters to hundreds of kilometres, depending on many factors, including its frequency), underwater noise, like other forms of pollution, is not restricted by national boundaries. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop a long-term, global strategy on harmful manmade noise in the marine environment.

A precautionary approach to underwater noise should include strict management of high intensity noise sources while addressing sensitive situations and species, as well as working towards a global reduction in ocean noise.

Building a coalition to reduce ocean noise

IFAW has formed a coalition which includes the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC), and Ocean Futures Society. Working closely with other conservation groups, this coalition is working to address the development and deployment of military active sonar systems, and their harmful effects on marine mammals and their habitats.

On July 14th 2004, the coalition sent a letter to U.S. Navy Secretary Gordon England urging the navy to mitigate the use of mid-frequency active sonar, which has led to a number of mass whale stranding incidents.

IFAW and the coalition suggested the U.S. Navy should at least identify low-risk areas for sonar tests (e.g. avoid beaked whale habitats), and conduct pre-operational surveys to establish safety zones around transmit vessels.

IFAW is also working through its offices in Europe (United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany) and throughout the European Union to ensure that ocean noise is acknowledged as a pollutant, and to reduce its harmful effects on marine mammals (with a particular focus on high-intensity military active sonar).

IFAW collaborates with key international conventions and regional agreements such as the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black and Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS) to recognize and address ocean noise as a pollutant.

IFAW is working with other groups to push for international regulation of the harmful effects of ocean noise on marine mammals. Photo © IFAW