BlueWise Marine won a Marine Institute’s Research for Policy 2023 Award to study the topic of Underwater Acoustic Noise (UAN) in the context of offshore renewable energy (ORE) developments. The goal is to provide guidance to ORE developers on monitoring and reporting of UAN, as well as reviewing thresholds for noise generated in the different phases of ORE developments. This study will also identify possible strategies or techniques to mitigate effects of that UAN on marine life.
To achieve these goals BlueWise Marine is conducting a desktop-based study, using a methodology that encompasses a problem definition, a systematic literature review, a survey of policies and strategies on UAN in ORE contexts followed in other jurisdictions, a review of applicable legislation and regulations and stakeholder consultation.
The problem of UAN management in ORE developments is a growing concern in Ireland due to the upcoming increase in marine activity related to offshore wind expansion. These developments generate UAN in multiple ways during their lifetime (pre-construction, construction, operation and decommissioning).
The possible impacts of ORE-related noise have been the subject of research at national and regional levels across Europe, as well as in the United States, Australia and New Zealand, among other countries. Based on the existing body of work, Underwater Acoustic Noise (UAN) management can generally be grouped into two main types. The first one is a “source and threshold” approach in which hard-set thresholds established on known sources must be respected, and the second is a “receiver and exposure” approach in which UAN is managed on a case-by-case basis depending on expected receivers (e.g., marine mammals, certain fish, etc.) and on constant and effective monitoring of noise levels and receiver’s presence in the development area.
The BlueWise Marine team’s work in this project will produce three deliverables:
- Problem description and scope
- Description of best practices and guidance on UAN monitoring and reporting
- Review of possible noise abatement and other impact mitigation measures applicable in the Irish context, as well as a review of thresholds commonly accepted worldwide for specific UAN sources.
