2016 SoE Marine Chapter - Effectiveness of Management - Anthropogenic noise

Brief description

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Effectiveness of marine management of anthropogenic noise". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record. ---------------------------------------- DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESSURE BEING MANAGED, AND ITS IMPACT There is a good understanding of the potential sources of anthropogenic marine noise arising from construction related activities, oil and gas activities, shipping and military operations in Commonwealth waters. These include geophysical and geotechnical surveys, seismic exploration, seabed piling, explosives, construction, dredging, ongoing operations, sonar and noise from vessels (particularly dynamically positioned vessels). It is clearly understood that the level of impact from these noise sources will vary depending on the size of the noise source, spatial distribution of simultaneous sources, duration and level of the noise and proximity to sensitive receptors as well as the sensitivity of the particular species to noise. Less is known of the impacts of ongoing low level noise associated with shipping and that generated by other emerging sectors such as marine mining and renewable energy operations, although work on understanding noise impacts associated with these sectors is being actively researched overseas where these activities are more widespread (e.g. Europe). The level of understanding of the cause-effect pathways for marine noise impacts is also underdeveloped. In some cases predictions of impacts are made using limited scientific evidence, with available studies focused on short-term exposures of individuals rather than long-term population consequences and limited in-field verification of sound modelling and environmental impact. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT Environment data from petroleum activities in commonwealth waters that generate underwater noise spanning 2012 – 2015, data from collaborative research activities carried out by DSTG and the Australian Navy, data and analyses published in peer reviewed publications and agency reports. Details of the specific data sets used to generate this assessment have not been provided. 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • Understanding of pressure: Sources of underwater noise across most sectors are well known, however knowledge of impacts requires a greater level of understanding. • Planning associated with management of pressure: Acute impacts across sectors are largely managed through EPBC Act approval processes, regulatory frameworks and environmental planning, reducing risks to sensitive receptors. • Input for informing management of pressure: Substantial information is available to inform management with varying degrees of uptake across sectors. • Processes associated with developing, monitoring, and updating management: Environmental authorisation processes associated with or endorsed by the EPBC Act are in place across sectors for acute impacts; there is little management of chronic impacts. • Outputs from management framework in place: Assessment and inspection of noise producing activities associated with the oil and gas industry and environmental assessments and collaborative research programs conducted by the Navy are used to inform required areas of improvement in these sectors. Outputs and improvement processes across other sectors are less clear. • Outcomes of management framework in place: An increased level of regulatory oversight for oil and gas activities and ongoing research and inputs into military environmental plans aim to ensure effective management of underwater noise in these sectors. Management outcomes for other sectors are less clear. CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT The management effectiveness of anthropogenic noise was not included in the 2011 assessment.

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Statement: QUALITY OF DATA USED IN THE ASSESSMENT High.

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Purpose
To describe the effectiveness of marine management of anthropogenic noise for use in the Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment report.