QUIETMED 2 PROJECT: A LOOK BACK AT THE MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PROGRAMME ON UNDERWATER NOISE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN
Between February 2019 and January 2021, UNEP/MAP-SPA/RAC has been associated with one of the finest initiatives to combat underwater noise in the Mediterranean and protect marine fauna. Here is an overview of what has been achieved.
Underwater noise is one of the most prevalent threats in the world's oceans. Although its impact on wildlife is recognized, the basic data to be used in management and monitoring programs are still largely lacking.
To overcome this problem in the Mediterranean, 11 organizations, including SPA/RAC, have joined forces to develop the joint Good Ecological Status assessment program for descriptor 11 - Underwater noise in the Mediterranean (QUIETMED 2), coordinated by the Technological Center of the Sea (CTN).
This program is in line with the following objective: "the impact of noise from human activities on marine and coastal ecosystems is not significant", referred to both by the Strategic Framework Directive for the Marine Environment (MSFD) of the European Union and by the Ecosystem Approach (EcAp) of the Barcelona Convention in the Mediterranean.