MSFD (1º cycle assessment) - Descriptor 11: Energy, including underwater noise (old)

Under the Marine Directive 2008/56/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 17 June 2008, article 8 - assessment. D11 : Introduction of energy, including underwater noise, is at levels that do not adversely affect the marine environment. Energy use, such as heating and electricity systems, artificial lighting, noise, electromagnetic radiations, radio waves or vibrations, can also be a pressure on the marine environment. So far, policy development and marine strategies have largely focused their efforts on underwater noise. The effects are complex and not yet fully understood. Underwater noise due to human activities at sea can harm marine biodiversity, leading for example to hearing impairment and behavioural disturbances. The ‘GES’ Decision requires Member States to look at the spatial distribution, temporal extent, and levels of anthropogenic impulsive (for example from oil and gas exploration and extraction) and continuous (such as from shipping) underwater noise. This dataset is part of the High Value/HVD Datasets identified in accordance with Implementing Regulation No. 2023/138 of Directive (EU) 2019/1024 on open data and the reuse of public sector information.