AQUO Achieve QUieter Oceans by shipping noise footprint reduction FP7 - Collaborative Project n° 314227: WP 1: Noise footprint assessment model : Transport policy and environmental risk: Needs

The topic of underwater noise impacts on the marine environment can logically be seen as one of the components that pollute the Oceans. Therefore, the first level for addressing this particular problem is to include it in the general environment policy. Nevertheless, it is clear that the numerous peculiarities and difficulties linked to this specific topic must be linked to detailed strategies and thus supported by specific corresponding regulations. AQUO aims to build practical guidelines to assess and mitigate underwater noise impacts of maritime transport on the marine fauna. This research project acts within the framework of FP7 but the role of this initial work package is clearly to identify spatially where the needs could appear. As a first step the existing regulatory framework will be overviewed. As a European Research project, the European regulations constitute the key structure to adhere to. However, it is thought essential to keep active the links that exist within the EU, from international level rules to very local initiatives. Nevertheless, the aim is not to carry out an extensive review of all rules but to identify how the underwater noise coming from shipping is considered and put in force. Identified effort references such as International Quiet Oceans Experiment or others, could be used to draw good practices. Prior to any marine regulation study it is important to sum up the legislation spatial split. Indeed, the observatory's location is important, mainly because this determines the legislation that applies to each one for the licensing, permits, or environmental impact assessment. The location determines the applicable jurisdiction for this particular place and can also be important in establishing the possible effects on marine protected areas. Additionally, the location can be a criterion to know if AQUO is working, in practice, in a coordinated way with some of the main legal tools that have approval to protect the ocean's environment