Decision 14.44 requests Parties to:  

1. disseminate the CMS Family Guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessment for Marine Noise-generating Activities to all national departments involved in deciding on noise-generating activities and encourage their application;

2. through the Secretariat, inform the Scientific Council at the 7th meeting of the Sessional Committee about experiences and lessons learned in the applications of these Guidelines, and the need for additional guidance on assessment and mitigation of marine noise.   

3. support the Secretariat in securing the external expertise required to update the Technical Support Information, prepare a gap analysis and identify further needed guidance, as well as to develop a report on available information on the impact of noise and the potential need for guidance regarding freshwater cetacean species;

4. make use of Technical Series No. 46 Best Available Technology (BAT) and Best Environmental Practice (BET) for Mitigating Three Noise Sources: Shipping, Seismic Airgun Surveys and Pile Driving and bring it to the attention of appropriate regulatory bodies concerned with marine spatial planning and licencing processes relating to underwater noise-generating activities; and

5. provide information on the implementation of Resolution 12.14 through National Reports.

In order for the Secretariat to be able to prepare the information provided in answer to the request in (b) above, responses are requested to be emailed by 30 June 2024 to the CMS Secretariat: [email protected].

For further information please consult Heidrun Frisch-Nwakanma at: [email protected]