More than 200 scientists from the United States, Australia, Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom and Norway met in San Diego March 20 – 22 to identify gaps in understanding the effects of noise on marine fish, fisheries and invertebrates in the U.S. Atlantic and Arctic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Convened by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the workshop advances the bureau’s mission to manage offshore energy and mineral development in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
Building on existing knowledge, presentations laid the foundation for future research and decision-making, including identifying priority fisheries and species habitats in the U.S. Atlantic and Arctic OCS, determining short-term and long-term research goals, exploring ways to minimize human-induced noise levels, and exploring mitigation options to reduce exposure risk in the marine environment.
“Ensuring that we have robust science is critical to moving forward with new energy development off the U.S. Atlantic Coast and Arctic OCS,” said BOEM Director Tommy P. Beaudreau. “Seismic data is a key tool in evaluating the potential for offshore oil and gas exploration, renewable energy activities, and decisions related to sand and gravel dredging for habitat restoration. However, underwater noise can have significant effects on marine life and fishing patterns, and we must understand and manage those effects.”
“We value the contributions by these experts toward our understanding of noise,” said BOEM Chief Environmental Officer Alan D. Thornhill. “From here, we will review and develop studies to help fill knowledge gaps and focus in on the what, when and where BOEM should study in the future.”
Additional information about the workshop and the synthesis of existing knowledge may be found at: http://www.boemsoundworkshop.com.
Additional information about BOEM’s Environmental Studies Program is available at: http://www.boem.gov/studies.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management manages the exploration and development of the nation's offshore resources. The Bureau seeks to balance economic development, energy independence and environmental protection through oil and gas leases, renewable energy development and environmental reviews and studies.
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