N° 7 2021 
Risk management / mitigation — Chapter 4 
Since EMB Position Paper N° 13, a series of resolutions by 
international environmental conservation agreements, 
zonventions and fora have been established on the issue of 
anthropogenic underwater noise. In addition, most European 
zountries now have regulatory frameworks to manage noise 
and the tools to integrate underwater noise into Marine Spatial 
Planning. However, more is needed to put some of these into 
practice and to fully test their effectiveness. Much progress 
TOTEN: 
Effectiveness of mitigation measures in protecting marine mammals, 
fishes, and invertebrates, e.g. noise mitigation. 
Effectiveness of current European regulations, policy, and guidance. 
Coordination of regulation across jurisdictions. 
Data management and knowledge transfer 
has been made during the last decade in environmental impact 
assessments and mitigation, but to optimally use mitigation 
and management measures we need to gain better knowledge 
on their effectiveness. This includes further development of 
cost-effective noise mitigation methods and alternative quieter 
operations. Finally, there should be a high priority to make data 
and knowledge resulting from the various studies widely available 
to build capability, and to aid knowledge transfer. 
„eu: 
Dedicated modelling and field studies including e.g. to improve 
understanding of how hydrographic conditions (currents) impact 
che effectiveness of noise mitigation devices. Investigation of the 
Frequency dependencies of sound reduction for fish and marine 
mammal sensitivities. Previously identified constraints to the safe and 
cost-effective deployment of mitigation measures should be assessed. 
zmitted noise levels should be one of the design criteria for new ships. 
Mitigation measures could also include the further development of 
economic incentives (e.g. in shipbuilding and harbour regulation). 
Regionally driven guidelines and action plans should be encouraged 
since noise travels beyond national jurisdiction. These can fill the gaps in 
ı1ational EIA processes and policies. Also, since many companies operate 
nternationally, industries should themselves strive to always employ 
est practice, going beyond national protection measures for species 
and habitats where these measures are not robust enough. 
Concerted effort to share data from noise studies to make these globally 
and openly available. 
Dedicated capacity building, including development of technical 
guidance and workshops.