Underwater noise

Anthropogenic sounds may be of short duration (e.g. impulsive such as from seismic surveys and piling for wind farms and platforms, as well as explosions) or be long lasting (e.g. continuous such as dredging, shipping and energy installations) affecting organisms in different ways. Marine mammals are most susceptible, however fish and other benthic species including invertebrates may also be affected, although literature is limited.

Benchmark: 
Anthropogenic sound sources that exceed levels that elicit a response from an individual, in terms of movement away, or cessation of feeding (for disturbance), for example, or exposure which leads to auditory injury.
Examples: 
Anthropogenic sound can be emitted from a variety of sources; activities with the potential to affect broad areas can come from (but not limited to) pile driving, seismic surveys, dredging, shipping.
Notes: 
In line with MSFD Indicator 11, Impulsive anthropogenic noise activities must be registered with JNCC Marine Noise Register. MSS/CEFAS are currenlty responsible for monitoring continuous low frequency sound in the marine environment.

Long Forties

The tables in this section reflect the output of the workshop (October 2019) when the pressures from human activities were assessed for the period 2014 to 2018 for the region. The summary text below the tables elaborates on some of the points that were made at the workshop.
This pressure assessment uses the FeAST classification which includes two abrasion pressures: surface abrasion & sub-surface abrasion. Some expert groups combined these as a single pressure "surface & sub-surface abrasion" whilst others focussed on using surface abrasion alone, hence there is a slight difference in handling for some regions.
The ranking of the pressures in terms of impact is a relative exercise within each region, and is not a statement of their absolute impact. Detailed comparison between regions on the basis of these relative pressure assessments is therefore not advisable.

Main pressures identified

Priority [1] Pressure (FeAST classification) [2] Main healthy and biologically diverse components affected [3] Main contributing FeAST activity /activities to pressure [4] Associated productive assessments [5]
3 Underwater noise
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Seismic survey (military, exploration, construction)
  • Shipping
4 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping
  • Tourism & recreation
5 Underwater noise
  • Shipping
5 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping
  • Tourism & recreation
5 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping

Footnotes:
• This pressure assessment uses the FeAST classification which includes two abrasion pressures: surface abrasion and sub-surface abrasion. Some expert groups combined these as a single pressure - Surface & sub-surface abrasion - whilst others focussed on using surface abrasion alone, hence there is a slight difference in handling for some regions.
• The ordering of entries in columns 3, 4 and 5 is not in any particular priority. There isn’t a 1:1 relationship between the entries in columns 3 and 4.
• Where aquaculture is identified as a source of noise pressure, this is due to the potential presence of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) in this retrospective (2014-2018) pressure assessment.
• Column 4, FAO gear type added for clarity to fishing types. The gear type annotated next to the FeAST Activity is the International Standard Statistical Classification of Fishing Gear (ISSCFG). This was originally adopted during the 10th Session of the Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP) (July 1980).
• Note the possibility of terrestrial influence for litter.

Long Forties

Fladen and Moray Firth Offshore

The tables in this section reflect the output of the workshop (October 2019) when the pressures from human activities were assessed for the period 2014 to 2018 for the region. The summary text below the tables elaborates on some of the points that were made at the workshop.
This pressure assessment uses the FeAST classification which includes two abrasion pressures: surface abrasion & sub-surface abrasion. Some expert groups combined these as a single pressure "surface & sub-surface abrasion" whilst others focussed on using surface abrasion alone, hence there is a slight difference in handling for some regions.
The ranking of the pressures in terms of impact is a relative exercise within each region, and is not a statement of their absolute impact. Detailed comparison between regions on the basis of these relative pressure assessments is therefore not advisable.

Main pressures identified

Priority [1] Pressure (FeAST classification) [2] Main healthy and biologically diverse components affected [3] Main contributing FeAST activity /activities to pressure [4] Associated productive assessments [5]
3 Underwater noise
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Seismic survey (military, exploration, construction)
  • Shipping
4 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping
  • Tourism & recreation
5 Underwater noise
  • Shipping
5 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping
  • Tourism & recreation
5 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping

Footnotes:
• This pressure assessment uses the FeAST classification which includes two abrasion pressures: surface abrasion and sub-surface abrasion. Some expert groups combined these as a single pressure - Surface & sub-surface abrasion - whilst others focussed on using surface abrasion alone, hence there is a slight difference in handling for some regions.
• The ordering of entries in columns 3, 4 and 5 is not in any particular priority. There isn’t a 1:1 relationship between the entries in columns 3 and 4.
• Where aquaculture is identified as a source of noise pressure, this is due to the potential presence of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) in this retrospective (2014-2018) pressure assessment.
• Column 4, FAO gear type added for clarity to fishing types. The gear type annotated next to the FeAST Activity is the International Standard Statistical Classification of Fishing Gear (ISSCFG). This was originally adopted during the 10th Session of the Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP) (July 1980).
• Note the possibility of terrestrial influence for litter.

Fladen and Moray Firth Offshore

East Shetland Shelf

The tables in this section reflect the output of the workshop (October 2019) when the pressures from human activities were assessed for the period 2014 to 2018 for the region. The summary text below the tables elaborates on some of the points that were made at the workshop.
This pressure assessment uses the FeAST classification which includes two abrasion pressures: surface abrasion & sub-surface abrasion. Some expert groups combined these as a single pressure "surface & sub-surface abrasion" whilst others focussed on using surface abrasion alone, hence there is a slight difference in handling for some regions.
The ranking of the pressures in terms of impact is a relative exercise within each region, and is not a statement of their absolute impact. Detailed comparison between regions on the basis of these relative pressure assessments is therefore not advisable.

Main pressures identified

Priority [1] Pressure (FeAST classification) [2] Main healthy and biologically diverse components affected [3] Main contributing FeAST activity /activities to pressure [4] Associated productive assessments [5]
3 Underwater noise
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Seismic survey (military, exploration, construction)
  • Shipping
4 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping
  • Tourism & recreation
5 Underwater noise
  • Shipping
5 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping
  • Tourism & recreation
5 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping

Footnotes:
• This pressure assessment uses the FeAST classification which includes two abrasion pressures: surface abrasion and sub-surface abrasion. Some expert groups combined these as a single pressure - Surface & sub-surface abrasion - whilst others focussed on using surface abrasion alone, hence there is a slight difference in handling for some regions.
• The ordering of entries in columns 3, 4 and 5 is not in any particular priority. There isn’t a 1:1 relationship between the entries in columns 3 and 4.
• Where aquaculture is identified as a source of noise pressure, this is due to the potential presence of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) in this retrospective (2014-2018) pressure assessment.
• Column 4, FAO gear type added for clarity to fishing types. The gear type annotated next to the FeAST Activity is the International Standard Statistical Classification of Fishing Gear (ISSCFG). This was originally adopted during the 10th Session of the Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP) (July 1980).
• Note the possibility of terrestrial influence for litter.

East Shetland Shelf

North and West Shetland Shelf

The tables in this section reflect the output of the workshop (October 2019) when the pressures from human activities were assessed for the period 2014 to 2018 for the region. The summary text below the tables elaborates on some of the points that were made at the workshop.
This pressure assessment uses the FeAST classification which includes two abrasion pressures: surface abrasion & sub-surface abrasion. Some expert groups combined these as a single pressure "surface & sub-surface abrasion" whilst others focussed on using surface abrasion alone, hence there is a slight difference in handling for some regions.
The ranking of the pressures in terms of impact is a relative exercise within each region, and is not a statement of their absolute impact. Detailed comparison between regions on the basis of these relative pressure assessments is therefore not advisable.

Main pressures identified

Priority [1] Pressure (FeAST classification) [2] Main healthy and biologically diverse components affected [3] Main contributing FeAST activity /activities to pressure [4] Associated productive assessments [5]
3 Underwater noise
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Seismic survey (military, exploration, construction)
  • Shipping
4 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping
  • Tourism & recreation
5 Underwater noise
  • Shipping
5 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping
  • Tourism & recreation
5 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping

Footnotes:
• This pressure assessment uses the FeAST classification which includes two abrasion pressures: surface abrasion and sub-surface abrasion. Some expert groups combined these as a single pressure - Surface & sub-surface abrasion - whilst others focussed on using surface abrasion alone, hence there is a slight difference in handling for some regions.
• The ordering of entries in columns 3, 4 and 5 is not in any particular priority. There isn’t a 1:1 relationship between the entries in columns 3 and 4.
• Where aquaculture is identified as a source of noise pressure, this is due to the potential presence of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) in this retrospective (2014-2018) pressure assessment.
• Column 4, FAO gear type added for clarity to fishing types. The gear type annotated next to the FeAST Activity is the International Standard Statistical Classification of Fishing Gear (ISSCFG). This was originally adopted during the 10th Session of the Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP) (July 1980).
• Note the possibility of terrestrial influence for litter.

North and West Shetland Shelf

Shetland Isles

The tables in this section reflect the output of the workshop (October 2019) when the pressures from human activities were assessed for the period 2014 to 2018 for the region. The summary text below the tables elaborates on some of the points that were made at the workshop.
This pressure assessment uses the FeAST classification which includes two abrasion pressures: surface abrasion & sub-surface abrasion. Some expert groups combined these as a single pressure "surface & sub-surface abrasion" whilst others focussed on using surface abrasion alone, hence there is a slight difference in handling for some regions.
The ranking of the pressures in terms of impact is a relative exercise within each region, and is not a statement of their absolute impact. Detailed comparison between regions on the basis of these relative pressure assessments is therefore not advisable.

Main pressures identified

Priority [1] Pressure (FeAST classification) [2] Main healthy and biologically diverse components affected [3] Main contributing FeAST activity /activities to pressure [4] Associated productive assessments [5]
3 Underwater noise
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Seismic survey (military, exploration, construction)
  • Shipping
4 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping
  • Tourism & recreation
5 Underwater noise
  • Shipping
5 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping
  • Tourism & recreation
5 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping

Footnotes:
• This pressure assessment uses the FeAST classification which includes two abrasion pressures: surface abrasion and sub-surface abrasion. Some expert groups combined these as a single pressure - Surface & sub-surface abrasion - whilst others focussed on using surface abrasion alone, hence there is a slight difference in handling for some regions.
• The ordering of entries in columns 3, 4 and 5 is not in any particular priority. There isn’t a 1:1 relationship between the entries in columns 3 and 4.
• Where aquaculture is identified as a source of noise pressure, this is due to the potential presence of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) in this retrospective (2014-2018) pressure assessment.
• Column 4, FAO gear type added for clarity to fishing types. The gear type annotated next to the FeAST Activity is the International Standard Statistical Classification of Fishing Gear (ISSCFG). This was originally adopted during the 10th Session of the Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP) (July 1980).
• Note the possibility of terrestrial influence for litter.

Shetland Isles

Orkney Islands

The tables in this section reflect the output of the workshop (October 2019) when the pressures from human activities were assessed for the period 2014 to 2018 for the region. The summary text below the tables elaborates on some of the points that were made at the workshop.
This pressure assessment uses the FeAST classification which includes two abrasion pressures: surface abrasion & sub-surface abrasion. Some expert groups combined these as a single pressure "surface & sub-surface abrasion" whilst others focussed on using surface abrasion alone, hence there is a slight difference in handling for some regions.
The ranking of the pressures in terms of impact is a relative exercise within each region, and is not a statement of their absolute impact. Detailed comparison between regions on the basis of these relative pressure assessments is therefore not advisable.

Main pressures identified

Priority [1] Pressure (FeAST classification) [2] Main healthy and biologically diverse components affected [3] Main contributing FeAST activity /activities to pressure [4] Associated productive assessments [5]
3 Underwater noise
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Seismic survey (military, exploration, construction)
  • Shipping
4 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping
  • Tourism & recreation
5 Underwater noise
  • Shipping
5 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping
  • Tourism & recreation
5 Underwater noise
  • Aquaculture - Finfish
  • Military activities – Sea surface activity
  • Military activities – Sonar use
  • Shipping

Footnotes:
• This pressure assessment uses the FeAST classification which includes two abrasion pressures: surface abrasion and sub-surface abrasion. Some expert groups combined these as a single pressure - Surface & sub-surface abrasion - whilst others focussed on using surface abrasion alone, hence there is a slight difference in handling for some regions.
• The ordering of entries in columns 3, 4 and 5 is not in any particular priority. There isn’t a 1:1 relationship between the entries in columns 3 and 4.
• Where aquaculture is identified as a source of noise pressure, this is due to the potential presence of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) in this retrospective (2014-2018) pressure assessment.
• Column 4, FAO gear type added for clarity to fishing types. The gear type annotated next to the FeAST Activity is the International Standard Statistical Classification of Fishing Gear (ISSCFG). This was originally adopted during the 10th Session of the Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP) (July 1980).
• Note the possibility of terrestrial influence for litter.

Orkney Islands