Addressing underwater noise: Joint efforts and progress on its global governance

Underwater noise generated by human activities has become a major reason of concern over the past decades as human exploitation of world seas became more intense. A key to reduce human-generated acoustic pressure on aquatic ecosystems depends on an approach based on international cooperation. Over the past years, scientists worldwide worked together to assess trends in underwater noise levels in order to develop mitigation measures that would allow the effective protection of endangered species without reducing the possibilities for a sustainable use of seas. This review focused on international programmes dedicated to underwater noise monitoring, mapping and to programs dedicated to mitigate noise and its effects on marine fauna. All together this review shows the existence of a growing, general, international consensus on the fact that anthropogenic underwater noise should be significantly reduced by setting appropriate mitigation measures and effective regulatory actions.