Cumulative Effects and Oceans The Story of Ocean Noise Mike Ambach Manager, North Coast Program, WWF-Canada mambach@wwfcanada.org Erkki Sirilla/WWF T: 250-624-3705
CUMULATIVE EFFECT AND THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT Erkki Sirilla/WWF
CUMULATIVE EFFECT AND THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
CUMULATIVE EFFECT AND THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT Source: National Science and Technology Council Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, May 2000
CUMULATIVE EFFECT AND THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
Natural Sources of Sound In the Ocean SOURCE: www.dotis.org Erkki Sirilla/WWF
Natural Sources of Sound In the Ocean SOURCE: www.dotis.org Erkki Sirilla/WWF
Natural Sources of Sound In the Ocean SOURCE: www.dotis.org Erkki Sirilla/WWF
Natural Sources of Sound In the Ocean ACTIVE USE OF SOUND Echolocation orientation, finding food, communicating, socializing, attracting mates PASSIVE USE OF SOUND Listening - finding food, avoiding predators Slabbekoorn et al 2010
www.dotis.org http://www.fas.org/irp/program/collect/lfa.htm http://www.netpublikationer.dk/um/6248/html/chapter17.htm C. Erbe www.alpha-ventus.de
Anthropogenic Sources of Sound In the Ocean A large commercial ship cruising at approximately 20 knots 3.2 km (2 mi.) away from the hydrophone Photo and Sound: Tom Kieckhefer At higher frequencies (>100 Hz), propeller cavitation is the dominant noise.
Anthropogenic Sources of Sound In the Ocean JAN 2011 Issue 12
Anthropogenic Sources of Sound In the Ocean CREDIT: Chris Clark, Cornell University
Convening Expertise on Ocean Noise Ocean noise is a growing concern and its impacts must be considered in the management and planning of current and future activities in the marine waters off British Columbia. There is a need to protect quiet areas and reduce anthropogenic noise levels, especially in ecologically important areas.
So what is the picture like here in BC?
Masking of Orca whale calls in Broughton Archipelago, BC OrcaLab Local Left Flower I Parson I Cracroft Pt To Critical Pt & Rubbing beaches Sound and Images Orca Lab
Northing [m] x 10 5 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 Cumulative Noise Level, All Classes 220 210 200 190 180 170 SEL [db re 1 μpa 2 s] Marine Spatial Planning SARA Management Recommendations Marine Mammal Regulations 3 160 2 Erbe et al. 2012, for WWF-Canada 2 4 6 8 10 12 Easting [m] x 10 5 150 EA Regulations Science & Assessment Engage the Shipping Industry Sound Management and Policy
Fisheries and Oceans came up with a plan to protect the whales and their critical habitat, but left certain elements up to the discretion of the minister The court said all elements of the plan must be enshrined in law. That would mean protecting chinook salmon, the whales' main food source, reducing underwater noise from boat, industrial and military activity and cleaning up toxic contamination in the whales' home ecosystem.
Better Design and Incentives Quieter ships Port incentives Active real-time management Routing, speed Stellwagen Bank example IMO correspondence group on noise currently developing (ISO) standards (mostly engineering) ACOUSTIC ACCOUNTING FOOTPRINTING delegate broader issues to MEPC scope Be realistic about drivers and change Salish Sea Sound Network Marine Vessel Tracking Science & Assessment Industry engagement Sound Management and Policy
Designate Quiet Areas as part of MPA / Spatial Planning processes? Make limits to growth / expansion explicit? Science & Assessment Engage the Shipping Industry Sound Management and Policy
Stepping Back What kind of relationship with the ocean do we want? Societal Values
Stepping Back What kind of relationship with the ocean do we want? The regulatory process gets overloaded and becomes the outlet for public hostility because the appropriate policies and governance structure have not been set up front??? Adapted from Roach, Worbets, 2011 Keeping Pace
We know there is a strong link between a healthy ecosystem, a healthy society and Canada's economic prosperity This ambitious and collaborative initiative will achieve just that, and we are committed to work closely with First Nations and non-government organizations to bring it to life. This government is focused like a laser on economic growth and prosperity.
Cumulative Effects and Oceans The Story of Ocean Noise Mike Ambach Manager, North Coast Program, WWF-Canada mambach@wwfcanada.org Erkki Sirilla/WWF T: 250-624-3705