Underwater noise, an emblematic Green Marine Europe indicator

This #WorldOceanDay is an opportunity to look back at one of the emblematic performance indicators of Green Marine Europe certification: man-made underwater noise, in this case from #shipping activities. 

While the impacts of underwater noise on marine fauna are numerous (masking of communication signals, stress and disorientation, flight of prey, escape), underwater noise is at a crossroads in terms of international and European recognition.

No binding international regulations

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Nairobi Convention on the Removal of Wrecks define underwater noise as pollution. In Europe, the 2008 Marine Strategy Framework Directive (Directive 2008/56/EC), which aims to achieve good environmental status of European waters by 2020, has set a target of reducing the impact of noise on marine animal populations. 

However, there are no binding international regulations governing underwater noise. In 2014, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) published (non-binding) guidelines aimed at reducing underwater noise.

Green Marine Europe , an active contributor to the recognition of underwater noise as pollution

In this context, Green Marine Europe has chosen to include underwater noise in its grid of indicators, reflecting the proactive nature of our certification. Our collective work - #shipowners, #shipyards, professional organisations, #associations, #scientific research - is to establish indicators which, in addition to going beyond existing regulations, also address topical issues and correlate them with a #performance objective. 

As with the other indicators, candidates for certification are assessed on a scale of 1 to 5. In this context, the "underwater noise" indicator covers the range of areas for improvement in this area: reducing vessel speed, cetacean detection systems (#REPCET for example) and training crews in their use and in optimising their knowledge of marine fauna, designing quieter vessels (reducing propeller noise, optimising wake, reducing engine noise through better engine insulation), optimising hull design.

An indicator revised in 2022 to include the non-binding measures of the Particularly Vulnerable Sea Area (PSSA) in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea

At the end of 2022, the 79th Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved the creation of a Particularly Vulnerable Sea Area (PSSA) in the North-Western #Mediterranean #Sea. 

The aim is to reduce the risk of ships colliding with cetaceans. A significant step towards preserving #marine #biodiversity . 

Associated (and voluntary) measures have been defined, such as the establishment of an appropriate safety distance and the adoption of a reduced speed in the presence of #cetaceans, the reporting of collisions, and the dissemination of information on the presence of cetaceans. These measures and the principle of the ZMPV should be definitively approved at MEPC 80 in July 2023. 

Green Marine Europe has chosen to include these voluntary measures (see above) in its dedicated indicator, in line with its ambition to anticipate regulatory developments.

Also worth noting is the infographic produced by Green Marine's supporters and partners on the impact of underwater noise and best practices for dealing with it - IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare), Armateurs de France , Mer et Pêche et Ministères Ecologie, Territoire, Transports, Ville et Logement in conjunction with the French Office for #Biodiversity, Office français de la biodiversité .

Stay tuned to find out more about the Green Marine Europe certified vessels and their progress in dealing with underwater noise!