The knowledge that man-made noise can affect marine mammals and the need for a regulatory system to mitigate such effects has increased over the past few years, mainly within the context of military sonar and seismic surveys. In the absence of specific laws, and given the fact that underwater noise is a transboundary pollutant, in the Mediterranean waters the EU Habitat Directive is the framework for developing a regulatory system that complies with the opinions expressed by international organizations (ACCOBAMS, IWC, European Parliament). To limit the impact of sonar operations, the NATO URC developed a Marine Mammals Risk Mitigation Policy, and other protocols/guidelines are being developed by EU Navies about the use of sonar and explosives during exercises. The Italian Navy, concerned about marine mammals since 1995, has developed and adopted in year 2005 its own policy for mitigating the effects of sonar operations. Nevertheless, underwater anthropogenic noise remains largely unregulated and both scientific research and new legislation are needed to address the current environmental concerns and to provide viable management and mitigation solutions.

Acoustic Risk Mitigation in the Mediterranean Sea. Current situation and reccomendations.

PAVAN, GIANNI
2007-01-01

Abstract

The knowledge that man-made noise can affect marine mammals and the need for a regulatory system to mitigate such effects has increased over the past few years, mainly within the context of military sonar and seismic surveys. In the absence of specific laws, and given the fact that underwater noise is a transboundary pollutant, in the Mediterranean waters the EU Habitat Directive is the framework for developing a regulatory system that complies with the opinions expressed by international organizations (ACCOBAMS, IWC, European Parliament). To limit the impact of sonar operations, the NATO URC developed a Marine Mammals Risk Mitigation Policy, and other protocols/guidelines are being developed by EU Navies about the use of sonar and explosives during exercises. The Italian Navy, concerned about marine mammals since 1995, has developed and adopted in year 2005 its own policy for mitigating the effects of sonar operations. Nevertheless, underwater anthropogenic noise remains largely unregulated and both scientific research and new legislation are needed to address the current environmental concerns and to provide viable management and mitigation solutions.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11571/129411
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