title: Assessment of Impulsive and Continuous Low-Frequency Noise in Irish Waters.
abstract: As part of the European Union Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), member states are required to address noise pollution in the marine environment under Descriptor 11. This study aimed to provide a practical desk-based application of Descriptor 11 assessment, focusing on the main contributors of ocean noise pollution in Irish waters, seismic surveying and shipping. To highlight specific geographical areas subject to elevated levels of noise pollution, the proportion of days over a calendar year that seismic air guns were operational was calculated and the vessel density per 50-km(2) grids was determined across Ireland's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Additionally, cetacean sighting data were used to determine the degree of spatial overlap between areas of elevated noise pollution and areas of cetacean abundance.
authors.affiliation: Marine Laboratory, Queen's University Belfast, 12-13 The Strand, Portaferry, BT22 1PF, Northern Ireland. sbeck01@qub.ac.uk.|Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland. sbeck01@qub.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.affiliation: Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland. joanne.obrien@gmit.ie.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.affiliation: Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland. simon.berrow@gmit.ie.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berrow
authors.affiliation: Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway, Ireland. ian.oconnor@gmit.ie.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland. dave.wall@iwdg.ie.
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wall
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002591:Cetacea / Q000502:physiology; D005843:Geography; D007494:Ireland; D009622:Noise; D012767:Ships; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water
keywords: Cetacean; Continuous; Impulsive; Marine Strategy Framework Directive; Seismic; Shipping