Underwater acoustic observatories to reduce ship noise footprint: A risk assessment model to mitigate the impact of shipping noise on marine fauna

While there is an increasing concern on the effects of anthropogenic noise sources on the marine environment, the technology is now available to assess and predict these effects at basin scales, thus helping management actions to be taken. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive(MSFD) requires from Member States to develop strategies to achieve Good Environmental Statusin European waters. In particular, Descriptor 11 addresses ship noise through the measurement and modeling of noise levels in areas of maritime activity. The AQUO project, under the EU Ocean of Tomorrow programme developed an Ocean Shipping Noise Footprint Assessment Model that directly respond to the need of defining, predicting and mitigating the effects of ship noise on marine fauna.