mcbem-2014-01-submission-wwf-en

As part of the efforts by the voluntary industry association Green Marine to reduce the
environmental footprint of marine shipping, an underwater noise pollution criterion should be
added to its certification program.
Port authorities should be encouraged to set both per vessel and regional noise targets, and to
introduce incentive programs that reward quieter ships, e.g., by adding noise criteria to Port
Metro Vancouver’s EcoAction incentive program. These noise reductions could be brought
about by measures targeting individual vessels and their specific noise footprints – vessels
should ensure their ships undergo routine vessel maintenance, particularly in terms of
propellers, anti-fouling, and reducing vibration in on board machinery. All of these will generally
reduce underwater noise.
Regional management solutions should be considered as part of the above port-based noise
reduction programme: the successful 2007 Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy (for the Ports of
Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver) could potentially be expanded to cover underwater noise.
Education and Communication
Recommendation 8: Public and industry education programs should be developed about the impacts
of underwater noise on marine life, and possible mitigation measures.
This workshop, and WWF’s 2012 workshop on underwater noise, have attempted to promote
ongoing dialogue and cross-sectoral relationships between managers, planners, industry, scientists,
citizen researchers, and conservation and community groups on how best to incorporate managing
underwater noise into best practices for the marine environment. This dialogue should be maintained.
Plan one or more industry education workshops involving whale watchers, shippers, pile drivers,
BC Ferries, tug boat operators and other producers of underwater noise.
Develop a ‘report card’ system to inform ship owners about the source levels of their vessels.
Design a recognisable mascot for the cause of underwater noise, such as a killer whale.
Encourage small boat operators and whale watch vessels to shut off their depth sounders/fish
finders when not in use, particularly in the presence of marine mammals, through expanded
outreach and engagement on the ‘Be Whale Wise’ guidelines and the revised Marine Mammal
Regulations.
The revised Marine Mammal Regulations should be brought into force.
References
Stoneman, M. and H. Danielson, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, DFO Science and Policy on Ocean Noise in
Heise, K. and H.M. Alidina (2012). Summary Report: Ocean Noise in Canada’s Pacific Workshop, January
31 - February 1 2012, Vancouver, Canada. WWF-Canada.
Clark, C., D. Mann, P. Miller, D. Nowacek, and B. Southall, Comments on Arctic Ocean Draft
Environmental Impact Statement at 2 (Feb. 28, 2012); see 40 C.F.R. § 1502.22.
Williams, R., K. Kaschner, E. Hoyt, R. Reeves, and E. Ashe. 2011. Mapping Large-scale Spatial Patterns in
Cetacean Density: Preliminary work to inform systematic conservation planning and MPA network
design in the northeastern Pacific. Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Chippenham, UK, 51 pp.
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