2016 SoE Marine Chapter - Effectiveness of Management - Anthropogenic noise

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "Effectiveness of marine management of anthropogenic noise". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record.----------------------------------------DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESSURE BEING MANAGED, AND ITS IMPACTThere is a good understanding of the potential sources of anthropogenic marine noise arising from construction related activities, oil and gas activities, shipping and military operations in Commonwealth waters. These include geophysical and geotechnical surveys, seismic exploration, seabed piling, explosives, construction, dredging, ongoing operations, sonar and noise from vessels (particularly dynamically positioned vessels). It is clearly understood that the level of impact from these noise sources will vary depending on the size of the noise source, spatial distribution of simultaneous sources, duration and level of the noise and proximity to sensitive receptors as well as the sensitivity of the particular species to noise. Less is known of the impacts of ongoing low level noise associated with shipping and that generated by other emerging sectors such as marine mining and renewable energy operations, although work on understanding noise impacts associated with these sectors is being actively researched overseas where these activities are more widespread (e.g. Europe). The level of understanding of the cause-effect pathways for marine noise impacts is also underdeveloped. In some cases predictions of impacts are made using limited scientific evidence, with available studies focused on short-term exposures of individuals rather than long-term population consequences and limited in-field verification of sound modelling and environmental impact. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENTEnvironment data from petroleum activities in commonwealth waters that generate underwater noise spanning 2012 – 2015, data from collaborative research activities carried out by DSTG and the Australian Navy, data and analyses published in peer reviewed publications and agency reports. Details of the specific data sets used to generate this assessment have not been provided.2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details]• Understanding of pressure: Sources of underwater noise across most sectors are well known, however knowledge of impacts requires a greater level of understanding.• Planning associated with management of pressure: Acute impacts across sectors are largely managed through EPBC Act approval processes, regulatory frameworks and environmental planning, reducing risks to sensitive receptors.• Input for informing management of pressure: Substantial information is available to inform management with varying degrees of uptake across sectors.• Processes associated with developing, monitoring, and updating management: Environmental authorisation processes associated with or endorsed by the EPBC Act are in place across sectors for acute impacts; there is little management of chronic impacts.• Outputs from management framework in place: Assessment and inspection of noise producing activities associated with the oil and gas industry and environmental assessments and collaborative research programs conducted by the Navy are used to inform required areas of improvement in these sectors. Outputs and improvement processes across other sectors are less clear.• Outcomes of management framework in place: An increased level of regulatory oversight for oil and gas activities and ongoing research and inputs into military environmental plans aim to ensure effective management of underwater noise in these sectors. Management outcomes for other sectors are less clear. CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENTThe management effectiveness of anthropogenic noise was not included in the 2011 assessment.2016年《环境状况报告》(State of the Environment, 简称SoE)的海洋章节纳入了多套基于多序列海洋数据研发的专家模板。本元数据记录用于说明专家评估《人为噪声海洋管理成效》。本记录附带完整的专家评估报告（含已提供的图表）。若可获取，用于生成该专家评估的数据序列(Data Stream)可通过本记录的"在线资源"板块查阅。 ——————待管理压力及其影响说明 英联邦海域内，与施工相关活动、油气作业、航运及军事行动所产生的人为海洋噪声潜在来源已得到充分认知。此类噪声源涵盖地球物理与岩土工程勘测、地震勘探、海底打桩、爆破、施工、疏浚、日常作业、声呐，以及船舶（尤其是动力定位船舶）产生的噪声。学界已明确，此类噪声源的影响程度取决于噪声源规模、同时运行声源的空间分布、噪声持续时长与强度、距敏感受体的距离，以及特定物种对噪声的敏感程度。 但针对航运持续产生的低强度噪声，以及海洋采矿、可再生能源作业等新兴产业产生的噪声影响，当前认知仍较为有限；不过在这类活动更为普及的海外地区（如欧洲），针对此类产业噪声影响的研究正积极开展。同时，学界对海洋噪声影响的因果传导路径的认知亦有待深化。部分场景下，影响预测仅依托有限的科学证据，现有研究多聚焦于个体的短期噪声暴露，而非长期种群层面的影响，且对声学子模型与环境影响的现场验证工作较为匮乏。 ——专家评估所用数据序列 本评估所用数据包括：2012-2015年英联邦海域内产生水下噪声的油气作业环境数据、DSTG与澳大利亚海军开展的合作研究数据，以及已发表于同行评议期刊与机构报告中的数据与分析结果。本次评估所用具体数据集的详细信息未予提供。 2016年SoE评估摘要【完整详情请参阅所附专家评估报告】 • 压力认知现状：多数产业的水下噪声源已得到充分认知，但学界对其影响的认知仍需进一步深化。 • 压力管理相关规划：各产业的急性噪声影响主要通过《环境保护与生物多样性保育法》(Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 简称EPBC Act)审批流程、监管框架与环境规划进行管控，以降低对敏感受体的风险。 • 压力管理决策支撑信息：现有大量信息可用于支撑噪声管理决策，但各产业的信息落地程度参差不齐。 • 管理体系的制定、监测与更新流程：针对急性噪声影响，各产业已建立依托EPBC Act或经其认可的环境审批流程；但针对慢性噪声影响的管理机制仍较为匮乏。 • 现有管理框架的产出成果：油气产业噪声产生活动的评估与检查、澳大利亚海军开展的环境评估与合作研究项目，可用于明确上述产业的改进方向。但其他产业的管理产出与改进流程尚不明确。 • 现有管理框架的实施成效：针对油气作业的监管力度不断加强，且军方持续开展相关研究并完善军事环境规划，旨在确保上述产业的水下噪声得到有效管理。其他产业的噪声管理成效仍有待明确。 ——2011年SoE评估以来的变化 2011年的环境状况评估未纳入人为噪声管理成效相关内容。