Assessment of impulsive and continuous low-frequency noise in Irish waters
Beck, S.; O'Brien, J.; Berrow, S.; O’Connor, I.; Wall, D. (2016). Assessment of impulsive and continuous low-frequency noise in Irish waters, in: Popper, A.N. et al. The effects of noise on aquatic life II. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 875: pp. 73-81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2981-8_9 In: Popper, A.N.; Hawkins, A. (Ed.) (2016). The effects of noise on aquatic life II. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 875. Springer Science+Business Media, Inc: New York. ISBN 978-1-4939-2980-1. xxx, 1292 pp., more In: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. Springer: Berlin. ISSN 0065-2598; e-ISSN 2214-8019, more |  |
| Keywords | Continuous
Seismic
Shipping
Cetacea [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | Marine Strategy Framework Directive; Impulsive; Cetacean |
| Authors | | Top | - Beck, S.
- O'Brien, J.
- Berrow, S.
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| Abstract | As part of the European Union Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), member states are required to address noise pollution in the marine environment under Descriptor 11. This study aimed to provide a practical desk-based application of Descriptor 11 assessment, focusing on the main contributors of ocean noise pollution in Irish waters, seismic surveying and shipping. To highlight specific geographical areas subject to elevated levels of noise pollution, the proportion of days over a calendar year that seismic air guns were operational was calculated and the vessel density per 50-km2 grids was determined across Ireland’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Additionally, cetacean sighting data were used to determine the degree of spatial overlap between areas of elevated noise pollution and areas of cetacean abundance. |
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