Topic
Underwater Environmental Noise
Underwater sound effects on wildlife and the marine environment.
Documents
- 20251 Sep
Acoustic impact evaluation and management information paper
This information paper advises on assessing and managing marine seismic survey effects on environmental receptors. It addresses acoustic source descriptions, sound propagation modelling, biological thresholds, cumulative effects and uncertainty. Guidance covers receptor-specific acceptability, alternative survey methods, fauna detection, model validation and adaptive management, while distinguishing encouraged advice from regulatory requirements.
- 2025
SAC Underwater Noise Regulators Working Group Progress Report 2025
Annual review of regulators’ management of impulsive underwater noise in harbour porpoise protected areas during 2025. It describes the shared noise tracker, pre-season predictions, development coordination and twice-weekly scheduling calls. Southern North Sea summer disturbance remained within thresholds; registry improvements, deterrent-range revisions and international initiatives are also covered.
- 2024
SAC Noise Management Regulators Working Group Progress Report 2024
Reviews regulators’ work during 2024 to manage impulsive underwater noise in harbour porpoise Special Areas of Conservation. It describes developer coordination, Marine Noise Registry upgrades, quieter unexploded ordnance clearance, piling noise reduction and proposed limits. Summer analysis for the Southern North Sea indicates disturbance remained below daily and seasonal thresholds.
- 202319 Dec
NOPSEMA and OIR Research Strategy 2024-2027
This strategy identifies collaborative research priorities for environmental management of offshore energy projects. It addresses cumulative impacts, underwater noise, fauna detection, emissions, decommissioning and geological carbon storage. Priorities include seabed remediation, standardised bird monitoring and renewable-energy mitigation research, while distinguishing the regulator’s research end-user role from conducting or funding research.
- 2023May
SAC Noise Management Working Group Communications (May 2023)
A regulator update on managing underwater noise in harbour porpoise Special Areas of Conservation. It describes low-order unexploded ordnance disposal, licensing coordination, offshore wind piling standards and improvements to the Marine Noise Registry. Workshop proposals and voluntary activity forecasts seek to improve disturbance assessments and coordination between developers.
- 2021Feb
SNS RWG Communications (February 2021)
The Southern North Sea Regulatory Working Group outlines challenges in reconciling energy development with harbour porpoise conservation. It discusses potential cross-sector application windows, scientific uncertainties about underwater sound, a funded Strategic Advisory Group and an activity tracker supporting cumulative impact assessment and coordination between developers.
- 2020Jun
Final Consultation Report June 2020
Consultation report examining the evidence behind underwater-noise management guidance for harbour porpoise Special Areas of Conservation. It addresses seasonal disturbance thresholds, effective deterrent ranges, seismic surveys, piling, noise abatement and monitoring. Appended stakeholder submissions dispute assumptions and implementation arrangements, while the authors explain revised advice and remaining scientific uncertainties.
- 201812 Nov
Marine seismic surveys - November 2018
This factsheet explains marine seismic surveying using compressed-air acoustic sources and hydrophone streamers, distinguishing 2D, 3D and repeated 4D methods. It outlines potential effects on marine species, environmental assessment and possible acoustic mitigation measures, alongside NOPSEMA’s assessment of environment plans before proposed surveys can proceed.
- 201628 Jun
Environmental Assessment
Final environmental assessment comparing regulatory alternatives for exploratory drilling in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas. It evaluates direct, indirect and cumulative effects of drilling-waste capture, well monitoring, source control, relief rigs and spill preparedness, balancing potential environmental benefits against additional operational disturbance and risks associated with more frequent BOP testing.
- 201510 Feb
Environmental Assessment
Draft environmental assessment comparing proposed Arctic exploratory drilling rules with alternatives, including no action. It examines pollution prevention, blowout-preventer testing, well monitoring, containment equipment and relief-rig availability in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. Analysis considers potential spill consequences, marine wildlife, subsistence practices and additional operational effects.
- 2014
Monitoring Guidance for Underwater Noise in European Seas
Guidance for Member States developing underwater sound monitoring under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. It covers regional impulsive-sound registers and ambient-noise measurement combined with validated modelling. Specifications address hydrophone deployment, recorder performance, traceable calibration, data retention and arithmetic averaging, while acknowledging uncertainty in ecological interpretation and population-level effects.
- 201318 Nov
Final Study Report - November 2013
Research examines cetacean distribution and responses to seismic exploration in the Moray Firth using passive acoustics, visual surveys, photo-identification and habitat modelling. Air-gun measurements test propagation predictions. Porpoise responses declined during the survey, while dolphin abundance estimates remained similar across years despite evidence of short-term behavioural responses.
- 2011Jul
Review and Assessment of Underwater Sound Produced from Oil and Gas Activities and Potential Reporting Requirements under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, July 2011
This research review catalogues underwater sound from oil and gas operations and assesses potential reporting under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. It compares acoustic measurements and marine-animal impact criteria across seismic surveying, piling, explosive decommissioning and continuous sources, highlighting data gaps, conversion uncertainties and differences between proposed reporting thresholds and biological effects.
- 201024 Jun
2D Seismic Survey in the Moray Firth: Review of Noise Impact Studies and Re-assessment of Acoustic Impacts
Reviews two acoustic assessments for a planned Moray Firth seismic survey and reassesses marine mammal impacts using RAM and Bellhop propagation modelling. It compares predicted single-pulse and cumulative exposure with hearing and behavioural criteria, highlighting methodological uncertainty, near-field limitations and the dependence of potential effects on animal movement.
- Undated
Background to the advice on noise management within harbour porpoise SACs
Explains the rationale for managing underwater noise in harbour porpoise Special Areas of Conservation through temporary habitat loss rather than animal counts. Discusses seasonal area-time thresholds, empirically based deterrence ranges, noise abatement and alternative wind-farm foundations. Acknowledges uncertain evidence and describes adaptive management and differing approaches among conservation bodies.
- Undated
Geological Survey Notification Guidance
Guidance explains notification-only geological surveys, recording multiple techniques and combining consent and notification activities in one application. It identifies visual-survey exemptions and proportionate environmental information requirements. Detailed justification and full baselines are not expected, while operations within UK Marine Protected Areas warrant proportionate assessment of potential impacts.