Underwater Peace Advocate

"For the heath of the ocean it must get quieter. "

As a captain who has sailed on both ocean-going and offshore vessels,
I have always been passionate about environmental issues.

At the World Maritime University (WMU), my research includes underwater noise pollution from commercial vessels. The ocean is under severe pressure due to human activity. One of the emerging environmental issues is underwater noise pollution.

Many studies reveal negative impacts of underwater noise pollution on fish and marine mammals. It can split ecosystems and change the population
both biologically and ecologically.

It also has negative socio-economic impacts, threatening food and job ecurity, decent work for all, and economic growth, especially in the fishing industry and marine tourism sectors.

Shipping moves over 80% of global trade by volume, and is one of the primary sources of underwater noise pollution on the high seas.

Other underwater noise pollution sources include dredging, construction,
drilling and production of oil and gas, geophysical investigations, sonars,
underwater explosions and oceanographic research.

Increased efforts by both land and sea stakeholders are essential to raise awareness about underwater noise pollution, its impacts, and possible solutions.

It is crucial to reduce the negative impacts of underwater noise pollution. For the health of the ocean, it must get quieter.

Danger

Underwater noise pollution from commercial vessels - i.e., ship noise -
can be reduced through International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations. The IMO is the United Nations specialized agency
with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.

Call to action

• Ship propellers that reduce cavitation (air-filled bubbles or cavities in water at or on the surface).
  
• Ship hull design should reduce the wake field and cavitation.
  
• Onboard machinery sound levels, placement and vibrations should be taken into consideration.
  
• Propellor and hull cleaning to reduce cavitation.
  
• Reducing ship speed.
  
• Re-routing to avoid sensitive marine areas.

Det har också negativa socioekonomiska effekter då det hotar människors tillgång till mat, arbete och anständiga arbetsvillkor. Även ekonomisk tillväxt, särskilt inom fiskerinäringen och den marina turismsektorn är hotad.

Sjöfarten omsätter över 80 % av den globala handeln i volym och är en av de primära källorna till undervattensbuller på öppet hav. Andra källor till undervattensbuller är muddring, byggindustri, borrning och produktion av olja och gas, geofysiska undersökningar, ekolod, explosioner under ytan och djuphavsforskning.

Ökade insatser från både land- och havsaktörer i samhället är viktiga för att öka medvetenheten om undervattensbuller, dess effekter, och möjliga lösningar. Det är av största vikt att minska de negativa effekterna av undervattensbuller. Det måste bli tystare för havets hälsas skull.

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• World Maritime University