The problem of underwater noise pollution and its ramifications on marine life have drawn widespread attention, with international and non-governmental organisations stepping in and implementing underwater noise mitigation measures to tackle the issue (Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment, 2019).  

Despite these measures, underwater noise pollution still remains largely unaddressed in the Arctic. Why is that so?

In today’s entry, I will highlight some existing measures in place and their gaps and offer some suggestions to address underwater noise pollution more effectively. 

Effective underwater noise pollution measures require proper management, monitoring and mitigation (Lancaster et al., 2021). However, there is currently no obligation for Arctic states to do so (Lancaster et al., 2021).

 

Need for stricter enforcement to manage underwater noise 

The lack of mandatory guidelines to minimise the implications of underwater noise on marine biodiversity poses a key challenge to its execution (Clean Arctic Alliance, 2022). As “the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping” (International Maritime Organisation, 2019), the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has yet to amend its voluntary guidelines on reducing underwater noise pollution from ships since 2014 (Lancaster et al., 2021). This has caused the shipping industry to turn a blind eye to the problem, contributing to higher maritime traffic and increased underwater noise levels (Clean Arctic Alliance, 2022). 

Need for systematic monitoring system

Currently, the Arctic does not have a strategic acoustic monitoring system in place (Lancaster et al., 2021). This makes it difficult to measure and map out ambient noise levels across different geographical regions in the Arctic and identify ‘hotspots’ with the highest vessel traffic to better manage underwater noise levels (Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment, 2019). Furthermore, there is a lack of information about noise-sensitive arctic marine species (World Wildlife Fund, 2022), with audiograms having only captured the hearing sensitivities of ringed seals and Beluga whales (Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment 2019). 

Need for proper mitigation measures

As mentioned earlier, the lack of mandatory guidelines to reduce underwater noise pollution from ships poses a key barrier in compelling the shipping sector to invest in ship-quieting technologies (World Wildlife Fund, 2022). As such, there needs to be regulated benchmarks for ship design and modifications to reduce underwater noise more efficiently (Lancaster et al., 2021). 

Moving forward, international organisations need to enforce mandatory action and standards to tackle underwater noise pollution head-on. Arctic states and research institutions will also have to collaborate to close key knowledge gaps in the noise mapping of marine biodiversity and anthropogenic activities in the Arctic to safeguard the health and well-being of our arctic marine life. 

 

References: 

Clean Arctic Alliance. (2022). NGOs Welcome Initial Steps But Demand Greater Urgency On Reducing Underwater Noise Pollution and its effect On Marine Life. Retrieved 23 February 2022, from https://cleanarctic.org/2022/01/21/ngos-welcome-initial-steps-but-demand-greater-urgency-on-reducing-underwater-noise-pollution-and-its-effect-on-marine-life/

International Maritime Organization. (2019). Introduction to IMO. Retrieved 23 February 2022, from https://www.imo.org/en/About/Pages/Default.aspx

Lancaster, M. L., Winsor, P., & Dumbrille, A. (2021). Underwater Noise from Shipping: A Special Case for the Arctic. In Sustainability in the Maritime Domain, 271-289. Springer, Cham.

Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment. (2019). Underwater noise in the Arctic: A state of knowledge report.

World Wildlife Fund. (2022). Underwater noise regulation: Time for Arctic coastal states to get on board. (2022). Retrieved 23 February 2022, from https://arcticwwf.org/newsroom/the-circle/sea-change-managing-the-arctic-ocean/underwater-noise-regulation-time-for-arctic-coastal-states-to-get-on-board/