Impulsive noise pollution in the Northeast Atlantic: Reported activity during 2015-2017.

Area of Science:

• Marine biology
• Environmental acoustics
• Conservation science

Background:

• Impulsive noise pollution from human activities poses significant threats to marine fauna, including physical injury, auditory damage, and behavioral changes.
• International cooperation through Regional Seas Conventions is emerging to monitor and manage underwater impulsive noise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess impulsive noise activity in the Northeast Atlantic from 2015-2017 using the International Noise Register (INR).
• To evaluate trends in different impulsive noise sources and discuss the utility of the INR for environmental management.

Main Methods:

• Data analysis of impulsive noise events reported to the INR between 2015 and 2017.
• Categorization of noise sources including seismic airguns, pile driving, explosions, and sonar/acoustic deterrent devices.
• Assessment of activity trends and reporting completeness over the study period.

Main Results:

• Seismic airgun surveys were the primary noise source (67%-83%), declining by 38% from 2015-2017.
• Reported pile driving activity increased by 46%, while explosions and sonar/acoustic deterrent devices also showed overall increases.
• Some reported increases were linked to improved data collection in later years.

Conclusions:

• The International Noise Register provides valuable data for assessing and managing underwater impulsive noise pollution.
• Continued monitoring and the implementation of similar systems in other regions are recommended for effective marine ecosystem protection.
• Understanding noise source trends is essential for targeted mitigation and conservation efforts.