OBJECTIVES
The main project objective of HARMONIZE is the elaboration of harmonized assessment approaches regarding impulsive underwater noise (D11C1) based on a cross-regional cooperation.
D11C1 – Descriptor D11 for the Good Environmental Status (GES): The introduction of energy, including underwater noise, is at levels that do not adversely affect the marine. The related criteria C1 relates to anthropogenic impulsive sound.
The achievement of this objective is based on three associated principles
(1)
Identification of existing best practices
See Key Activity – No 2
Data acquisition
(2)
Consideration of specific regional requirements
See Key Activity – No 5
Exemplary regional application scenarios
(3)
Definition of criteria and boundary conditions in order to ensure comparability and interpretability of assessments
See Key Activity – No 4
Data harmonisation and quality assurance
Activities 3-5: Ongoing Work
For the development of applicable assessment approaches for D11C1, Harmonize reviewes the data availability in regional noise registries.
As a most important prerequisite for the unification and harmonization of assessment methodologies for GES regarding impulsive underwater noise is data availability. Fragmentary or spatially incomplete data allow assessment only for a limited area and time period. Spatial information containing only blocks without further spatial specification or missing source strength would increase uncertainties, in contrast to complete information and quality-assured data that would allow a detailed and precise assessment.
This map shows an overview of EU Member States, Regional Seas and options for spatial discretization units used for reporting on impulsive noise in different regional Noise Registries. Overall, the level of data completeness and reporting units was found to vary.
Download Outcomes
–