The workshop in brief

The effects of underwater sound have become an important environmental issue. As a consequence the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive addresses noise impacts. Outside Europe, developers and planners also have to consider and manage impacts related to underwater sound with increasing urgency. 

In June 2013 WODA published a Technical Guidance on Underwater Sound in Relation to Dredging. It was compiled by the WODA Expert Group on Underwater Sound, under the remit of the WODA Environmental Commission, and reviewed by experts from the most relevant groups. The paper sets out a comprehensive risk assessment framework and provides a systematic approach to sound impact studies. It advises on how sound can affect aquatic life and provides a detailed compass for underwater sound measurements. It informs in detail on sound sources in relation to dredging and summarizes the knowledge on dredging sound effects. Finally it gives guidance on how dredging-related sound risks could be managed.

The paper was received with high interest among scientists and stakeholders from policy and industry. Yet, like its predecessor the CEDA position paper on underwater sound in relation to dredging (published in 2011), it also raised a lot of questions and requests for further information and training. 

Via interactive presentations, held by international leading experts, WODA brought the Technical Guidance ‘to life’. Also, based on the latest knowledge and experience, guidance was given on how to assess the effects of the underwater sound from dredging operations on marine life.

Participants learned about:

• Underwater sound in general and how its impact should be assessed
• How underwater sound should be measured
• Sound levels of various dredging activities
• Documented impacts of underwater sound from dredging
• How dredging noise impacts can be managed 

Presenters

• Dr Frank Thomsen, DHI, Denmark - Workshop Chair
• Dr Douglas Clark, HDR, USA
• René Dekeling,Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, the Netherlands
• Dr Christ de Jong, TNO, the Netherlands
• Stephen Robinson, NPL, UK

Please download the leaflet below.

Follow the link to access the CEDA webinar on underwater sound.