Project Page Views: [ 696 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | Assessment and Monitoring of Ocean Noise in Irish Waters |
| Research Area | Water |
| Project Acronym | |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Joanne O'Brien |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 53.27867, -9.01046 |
| Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 09/01/2012 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 09/01/2013 |
| Project Website (if any) | |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Acoustic Noise; Marine Strategy Framework Directive; Marine Mammals; Policy |
| Project Abstract | Under this project, a data audit will be carried out to identify and catalogue acoustic datasets collected to date in Irish waters. These datasets will be used to generate a baseline of acoustic noise levels primarily based on the frequency band 10Hz to 10KHz. This research is designed to meet Irelands requirements under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), but will also serve to fulfil requirements under the EU Habitats Directive for marine mammals. All datasets will be modelled for the proportion of days in which anthropogenic sound exceeds 183dB between 10 Hz to 10 KHz. At present, no observation stations are identified or fully established in Irish waters, therefore a collaboration will be set up with associate partners Michel Andre from the Laboratory of Applied Bioacoustics (LAB) at the Technical University of Catalonia, Spain (UPC) helping to build capacity within Ireland by carrying out trial deployments of noise monitors. This project will serve to inform management by generating baseline values of noise levels, identify recommendations for future studies and predict how Ireland can acquire and maintain Good Environmental Status by 2020. Expected outcomes include a detailed database and archive of acoustic datasets collected in Irish waters. Datasets will be explored to establish the proportion of days within a defined period that anthropogenic sound exceeds 183dB between 10Hz and 10KHz. An approximate disturbance area for baleen whales will be generated. A database of licensed activities will be created, as well as a register of activities which produce low and mid-frequency impulsive sounds and continuous low frequency sounds. Trial deployments of noise monitors will build capacity in Ireland, and results used to inform policy. Two peer reviewed publications will be delivered. |