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JNCC guidance for the use of Passive Acoustic Monitoring in UK waters for minimising the risk of injury to marine mammals from offshore activities 2023

Abstract

It is recognised that sound generated from certain anthropogenic activities has the potential to cause injury and disturbance to marine mammals (cetaceans and seals). In particular, piling, geophysical surveys and explosive use (e.g. unexploded ordnance, downhole explosives) have the potential to result in an injury offence (e.g. permanent hearing damage) as defined under UK regulations for the protection of European Protected Species (EPS).

JNCC, in collaboration with the other UK Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs), produce a series of guidelines describing mitigation measures which will reduce the risk of injury to marine mammals from explosive use, piling and geophysical surveys to negligible levels (see https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/marine-mammals-and-noise-mitigation/). The use of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) has been included in these mitigation guidelines since their origin in 1995 and this mitigation method has been routinely used since 2002. The guidance provided here supplements the JNCC mitigation guidelines and should be read alongside them. It aims to standardise when PAM is used to mitigate the risk of deliberate injury to marine mammals and provides guidance on how to deploy PAM systems.

To inform the development of the guidance, including the development of standardised methods to improve deployment, operation, and reporting, the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and JNCC hosted a workshop in March 2021. A summary report of this workshop is also available.

This resource may not be fully accessible for all users. If you need a copy in a different or more accessible format, please contact Communications@jncc.gov.uk.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2023·12·01

Citation
JNCC. 2023. JNCC guidance for the use of Passive Acoustic Monitoring in UK waters for minimising the risk of injury to marine mammals from offshore activities. JNCC, Peterborough.

Lineage
This guidance aims to standardise when Passive Acoustic Monitoring is used to mitigate the risk of deliberate injury to marine mammals within the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS). It should be read alongside marine mammal mitigation guidelines published by JNCC.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC distributor

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2024·02·22

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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