Tag: underwater noise

Under its commitment in reducing underwater noise, the Port of Vancouver, British Columbia, requested all vessels transiting Haro Strait to reduce their speed to 11 knots (speed through the water) between Discovery Island at the southern end, and Henry Island at the northern end, starting from August 7 to October 6, 2017.

Canada's centres of Network of Excellence announced the launch of a homegrown technology, that can monitor underwater noise, in order to protect endangered marine life. An underwater listening station was installed on ONC’s observatory network, to monitor the acoustic source levels of incoming ships to the Port of Vancouver and to monitor in real-time for the presence of calling marine mammals.

In an initiative to cut air pollution and protect whales in the Santa Barbara Channel region, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District and partners announced that the Vessel Speed Reduction voluntary incentive program will include for the first time the San Francisco Bay Area. This week, ships began to be enrolled in the program.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare urges shipping industry for more attention on the critical issues concerning marine mammals, like underwater noise pollution and ship strikes. IFAW also encourages industry to follow the example of these companies which have already taken speed restriction seriously with remarkable results, such as COSCO and MSC.

Italian Frincantieri announced that delivered a submarine to the Naval Armament Unit – NAVARM for the Italian Navy. The “Romeo Romei” is built with amagnetic material and equipped with silencing techniques to reduce its acoustic signature.

Marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, are impacted by underwater noise. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is taking the lead in promoting quieter ships – with an innovative incentive program, Rachel Carmichael, DNV GL, explains.

As ship strikes, vessel disturbance and underwater noise are key threats faced by whales, dolphins and porpoises off British Columbia’s coast, the Vancouver Aquarium’s Coastal Ocean Research Institute, in partnership with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and the Prince Rupert Port Authority, published a new guide for mariners, intended to inform them about the risk of collisions between vessels and marine life and to help minimize vessel disturbances.

On January 1, 2017, the port authority added new incentive criteria to its existing EcoAction program to include harbour due rate discounts for quieter ships. This makes Canada the first country in the world with a marine noise reduction incentive.

The Port of Vancouver has launched a series of project under its 'ECHO Program' with the aim to provide a better understanding of vessel-related cumulative regional threats such as vessel underwater noise and its effects to marine environment.

Sound is critical for the survival of many marine animals. NOAA has released its final Ocean Noise Strategy Roadmap, which will guide the agency in more effectively and comprehensively managing ocean noise effects on marine life during the next decade.