Underwater Noise Flashcards
How does the 2024 draft of Canada’s Ocean Noise Strategy define underwater ocean noise?
defined as human-generated sounds that are
transmitted beneath the surface of the water and
have a wide range of impacts on marine animals.
How does increase in ocean noise impact cultures?
subsistence hunters and fishers sometimes rely on
certain species being available in specific habitats and
at specific times. The presence of ocean noise can
drive these species away, disrupt traditional practices,
and impact the pursuit of constitutionally protected
Indigenous rights.1
What are the three themes under the 2024 draft of Canada’s Ocean Noise Strategy?
- Science, Knowledge Gathering, and Innovation
- Assessment and Management
- Communication, Coordination, and Engagement
In terms of noise what does the Marine Mammal Regulation provide in terms of regulatory requirements?
Under Schedule VI (6) they have a list of species in Column 1 and the definition of “disturb” also means by approaching any species listed in column 1 by any vehicle listed in column 2 within the approach distance set out in column 3 in an area set out in column 4 during the period set in column 5.
What is the distance for killer whales by any vehicle and during what times and what waters?
Between December 31 and Jan 1. So all year. 200-m in any type of vehicle.
What species in the marine mammal regulation are listed for distance approaches in Schedule 6?
- Whales, dolphins and porpoise (varying distances depending on endangered or not)
- Beluga whale (varying locations)
- Walrus (varying locations)
- Killer whales
What is “Transport Canada’s Quiet Vessel Initiative (QVI)”?
Launched in 2019 and part of the Oceans Protection Plan QVI provides funding for research, testing and deployment projects that aim to make vessels quieter by:
1. Improving their initial design
2. Providing options for retrofitting existing vessels
3. Developing more efficient operating practices.
What innovation for reducing ocean noise came out of Canadian company Graphite Innovation and Technologies (GIT)
Graphene-based hull coating had shown reduction in fossil fuel consumption and ocean noise.
Define propeller cavitation
Propeller cavitation occurs when a vessel’s spinning propeller creates turbulence and low-pressure areas that create small air bubbles in the water. When these bubbles burst, they make loud popping sounds underwater which can disturb many marine species.
What has JASCO Applied Sciences done for underwater noise research?
JASCO Applied Sciences has been evaluating different approaches to both help address this issue and contribute to the development of an International Standards Organization (ISO) standard for measuring noise in shallow water.
What is a challenge in the salish sea for killer whale recovery?
In the Salish Sea, the overlap of designated Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat and transboundary shipping routes represents one of many challenges associated with Southern Resident killer whale recovery.
What is ECHO?
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (VFPA ECHO) program. Launched in 2014.
How many recommendations are there and what will they eventually form?
20 recommendations Once finalized, the recommendations will
be the basis of a publicly available Federal Action Plan
on ocean noise
What initiative is testing the most promising technologies, vessel designs, retrofits and operational practices to make vessels quieter.
Transport Canada’s Quiet
Vessel Initiative
