For the attention of:

EU Member states

16March 2011

Dear Sir or Madam,

Questionnaire: GES descriptor 11 – Noise and other forms of Energy

Attached to this letter you will find a questionnaire with 8questions concerning your national approach to the GES Descriptor 11.

The questionnaire has been prepared originally for OSPAR contracting parties in close cooperation with the chairs for the EC Technical Subgroup on Noise (TSG noise). The chairs of TSG Noise also hope to receive the same information from contracting parties of the other European regional sea conventions. Aim is to identify existing approaches, data, methodology and other information and hopefully to find some common grounds.

The results will be summarised and forwarded to the TSG noise. We kindly ask you to work together with a representative of your national authority dealing with the MSFD in order to get the most accurate information. OSPAR CPs that have already returned the OSPAR questionnaire do not need to respond to this questionnaire.

We kindly ask you to return the completed questionnaire before 30May 2011to:

Yours sincerely,

Mark Tasker, chair of the EC TSG noise

René Dekeling, chair of the EC TSG noise

Sandra van der Graaf, EC TSG Noise

Leo de Vrees, EC

Questionnaire: GES descriptor 11 – Noise and other forms of Energy

Descriptor 11 of the MSFD:Introduction of energy, including underwater noise, is at levels that do not adversely affect the marine environment.

For your information the indicators for descriptor 11 are repeated in the box below.

11.1 Distribution in time and place of loud, low and mid frequency impulsive sounds
Proportion of days and their distribution within a calendar year over areas of a determined surface, as well as their spatial distribution, in which anthropogenic sound sources exceed levels that are likely to entail significant impact on marine animals measured as Sound Exposure Level (in dB re 1μPa 2 .s) or as peak sound pressure level (in dB re 1μPa peak ) at one metre, measured over the frequency band 10 Hz to 10 kHz (11.1.1)
11.2 Continuous low frequency sound
Trends in the ambient noise level within the 1/3 octave bands 63 and 125 Hz (centre frequency) (re 1μΡa RMS; average noise level in these octave bands over a year) measured by observation stations and/or with the use of models if appropriate (11.2.1).

Approach, GES and targets

  1. How are you planning to address this descriptor? (please provide a short text)
  1. Do you have a definition of Good Environmental Status in relation this this descriptor? If so, please explain
  1. How do you plan to address each indicator? (please provide short text for each indicator: will you use this indicator, alternative indicators?)

Indicator / Plan / Alternative
11.1.1
11.2.1
Other forms of Energy
Alternative
  1. In your opinion, which human activities are the most relevant in relation to the GES for this descriptor?

Monitoring

  1. Is noise(or other forms of Energy) currently monitored? if yes please specify what is measured, in what context and frequency/coverage.

What is monitored / Context (part of some programme, project, trial, etc.) / Details
  1. Are there plans to extend your monitoring programme to include noise? if yes please specify what will be measured, in what context and frequency/coverage and whether it is intended to be used for any of the GES indicators.

What is monitored / Context (part of some programme, project, trial, etc.) / Details

Research & Methodological standards

  1. Do you have or are you developing methodological standards for noise? if yes please specify in which context, by who, time schedule, link to documents, etc.
  1. Are there initiatives for research projects on any of the proposed indicators?

Indicator / Description research
11.1.1
11.2.1
Other forms of Energy
Other noise related
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