Understanding and mitigating vessel underwater noise BC s Underwater Listening Station Krista Trounce ECHO Project Manager GreenTECH Conference June 1, 2016
1. ECHO Program refresher 2. Underwater listening station 3. Complementary acoustic projects
ECHO PROGRAM ECHO: Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation Program Purpose: To better understand and manage the impact of commercial vessel related activities on at-risk whales throughout the southern coast of British Columbia 2014-2017: Plan and execute research projects 2016-2018: Develop and trial potential mitigations 2017-onwards: Implement & monitor voluntary programs
ECHO PROGRAM CONTEXT Canada Marine Act mandate DFO Recovery Strategies identify threats Whale and vessel routes overlap Predicted shipping and population growth
ECHO PROGRAM COLLABORATORS Funding Contributors Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Trans Mountain Transport Canada Fraser River Pile and Dredge Significant In-kind Contributors Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) JASCO Applied Sciences Oceans Networks Canada Vancouver Aquarium Project Collaborators BC Chamber of Shipping BC Coast Pilots BC Ferries National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Pacific Pilotage Authority Prince Rupert Port Authority Advisory Working Group BC Ferries Chamber of Shipping of BC Cruise Lines International Association (North West & Canada) First Nations individuals DFO NOAA Pacific Pilotage Authority Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Transport Canada Vancouver Aquarium Washington State Ferries WWF-Canada Federal Government Advisory Committee Environment Canada Fisheries and Oceans Canada Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Transport Canada Acoustic Technical Committee DFO JASCO Applied Sciences NOAA Oceans Networks Canada Robert Allan Naval Architects SMRU Consulting Transport Canada University of British Columbia University of St. Andrews Vancouver Aquarium Washington State Ferries Other Engagement Achieve Quieter Oceans (AQUO) Green Marine MEOPAR Seaspan Nanaimo Port Authority Port of Tacoma Port of Seattle
ECHO PROGRAM CATEGORIES Advancing research projects and initiatives focusing on the key threats to whales in this region with a view to informing mitigation solutions Acoustic Disturbance Physical Disturbance Environmental Contaminants Photo: BeamReach
VESSEL NOISE REDUCTION INITIATIVES Underwater Noise Performance Indicator (pending) Guidelines for the reduction of underwater noise DOLPHIN Underwater radiated noise (URN) SILENT E
Strait of Georgia Underwater Listening Station Partnership with: Ocean Networks Canada JASCO Applied Sciences Transport Canada
UNDERWATER LISTENING STATION First of its kind in North America (non-navy) Two arrays, each with 4 hydrophones Connected to ONC s cabled Venus Observatory Measuring ambient noise, marine mammal detections, and vessel source levels Photo: Ocean Networks Canada
MONTHLY AMBIENT NOISE ANALYSIS
MARINE MAMMAL DETECTIONS October 2015 December 2015 3% 12% 3% 85% 97% Killer whales Humpbacks Fish
MARINE MAMMAL DETECTIONS
VESSEL SOURCE LEVEL MEASUREMENTS
OUTPUT: PORTLISTEN INTERFACE XXXX XXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX JASCO Applied Sciences PortListen software
XXXXXX XXXXXX JASCO Applied Sciences PortListen software
OUTPUT: DETAILED TWO PAGE REPORT/VESSEL
OUTPUT: VESSEL NOISE LEVEL 1/3 octave frequency band vessel source levels Radiated noise level as defined in ANSI measurement standard Monopole source level considers sound energy as originated from point location, most suitable for use by acoustic model that independently accounts for surface and seabed reflection Graph of vessel source level or signature of each transit
OUTPUT: VESSEL RANKING Vessel noise emission level Overall performance ranking
UTILITY OF THE DATA Ambient noise over time and location Presence of marine mammals Informs potential incentive programs Trialing mitigation measures Aggregated data set correlating: vessel type, speed, design, age, propeller configuration Informs modelling Helps vessel owner/operators understand noise contribution and identify mechanical issues Photo: Ocean Networks Canada
Complementary projects: Regional noise contributors Vessel noise reduction & EcoAction Infographic
REGIONAL OCEAN NOISE CONTRIBUTORS Vessel categories and regional sub-areas Container ships Cruise/Passenger Ferries Strait of Georgia Vancouver Vancouver Island Fishing Recreational Tankers & bulkers Gulf Islands Boundary Pass Haro Strait US San Juans Tugs Whale watching Government/ Research Juan de Fuca Victoria Other merchant Miscellaneous Washington State
REGIONAL NOISE CONTRIBUTORS Results Understanding Contributions Commercial sector is the dominant source vs. smaller craft Smaller craft (recreational, fishing, whale watch) have contributions in certain subareas but less sound energy Depending on the sub-area, different vessel categories are more dominant No one-size solution
VESSEL NOISE REDUCTION OPTIONS Project Approach Identification of Options Desktop literature review for potential options Workshop with EcoAction development team Expert and stakeholder input Considerations Noise reduction effectiveness Cost Availability Feasibility Verifiability Co-benefits
VESSEL NOISE REDUCTION OPTIONS Potential EcoAction criteria for 2017 RECOGNITION Quiet notation (DNV-GL, Bureau Veritas, RINA) Green Marine underwater noise performance indicators Quiet in class transiting ULS TECHNOLOGY Propeller type Air injection COGAS electric drive Decoupling coating Equipment mounting or reinforcement MAINTENANCE Propeller cleaning/repair Hull cleaning
INFOGRAPHIC FOR MARINERS
NEXT STEPS EcoAction Program 2017 Continued engagement with stakeholders Analysis of ULS data set Screening, modelling and multiple accounts analysis of potential mitigation options Photo: MK
RAISE YOUR HAND. Q&A. Krista Trounce, ECHO Project Manager, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority krista.trounce@portvancouver.com Special thanks to: Green Marine, GreenTECH Conference committee Project Partners: JASCO Applied Sciences, Ocean Networks Canada, Transport Canada Photo: Joan Lopez