MB FUTURE SCIENCE BRIEF 
5 List of the most urgent 
prmonty acYons/questions 
Based on Chapter 5, the below list of urgent priority actions has been identified. It has a large overlap with 
the actions in Chapter 5 but we attempt to make it more tangible by concretizing each point. 
1.  Develop collaborative international standards applicable to all steps of the risk framework. 
2. Conduct comprehensive monitoring combined with spatial ecological modelling of marine species’ dynamic habitat use, 
movements, behaviour and distribution to establish baselines. 
3. Foster comprehensive monitoring and data collection of current soundscapes / ambient noise, including via joint monitoring 
programmes in existing and new areas. 
4. Shortlist high priority (and biologically relevant) sound sources and perform standardized source characterization studies. 
5. Promote hearing studies on baleen whales and on selected fish and invertebrate species. 
6. Conduct field and modelling studies on changes in acoustic habitats to identify masking risks to communication in fishes and 
marine mammals. 
Conduct further studies on behavioural response of marine mammals and fishes due to exposure to high intensity impulsive 
sounds to assess population consequences via e.g. displacement. 
Conduct taxa-relevant studies on hearing impairment and physiological stress to address existing knowledge gaps in 
invertebrates, fishes and marine mammals. Priorities for marine mammals are understanding the relationship between 
Temporary- and Permanent Threshold Shift and physiological stress; priorities for fishes are stress; and priorities for 
invertebrates are a basic description of physiological impacts. 
9. Conduct dedicated studies including multi-species investigations, predator-prey interactions, and interaction with other food 
web levels, addressing the question of how noise impacts combine with other stressors. 
10. Develop frameworks and conduct studies to allow population-level assessment of effects from cumulative impact of noise and 
other pressures. 
11. Conduct dedicated modelling and field studies to improve understanding on effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of noise 
mitigation devices, mitigation measures and management options. This requires a shortlist of relevant industries and their 
sound sources (e.g. shipping, marine renewables, unexploded ordnances and geophysical surveys). 
12. Develop regional action plans and guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment and policies. 
13. Initiate international collaborative projects (via European Union, International Maritime Organization etc.) to develop 
stakeholder and societal capacity in understanding and addressing underwater noise. These projects should include technical 
guidance and workshops, sharing data and best practices globally and openly, and supporting transdisciplinary (e.g. between 
acousticians. biologists and others) science and communication.