The International Maritime Organization took incremental steps to protecting marine environments, including in the Arctic, from noise pollution. The voluntary measures, however, do not go far enough, say environmental groups and the Inuit Circumpolar Council, especially for the Arctic Ocean’s sensitive ecosystem.
The Clean Arctic Alliance today welcomed progress made this week by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to address the impact of underwater noise from ships on marine wildlife, but warned that further delay in the development of an action program clearly setting out next steps - including compulsory measures - will prevent significant action that would decrease vessel noise in our oceans
Sarah Bobbe, Arctic program manager at Ocean Conservancy, urged the IMO to act. “In addition to global measures, even more stringent regional measures to reduce acoustic pollution from vessels in areas such as the Arctic will be necessary,” she said.
The IMO must this week agree on an effective program of action and next steps to mitigate underwater noise from ships
This document comments on document SDC 9/5, primarily supporting the general approach proposed and emphasizes areas of particular interest to the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC).
This document comments on the provisional work plan submitted by Canada in document SDC 9/5/1 and proposes several recommendations for the Sub-Committee to consider as it continues its revision of the draft Guidelines and identification of next steps.
This document proposes a strategy and provisional workplan for the finalization of the review of the Guidelines for the reduction of underwater noise from commercial shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life (MEPC.1/Circ.833) and the identification of next steps.