Decisions 13.58 to 13.60 - Adverse Impacts of Anthropogenic Noise on Cetaceans and Other Migratory Species

Parties are requested to: a) disseminate the CMS Family Guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessment for Marine Noise-generating Activities annexed to Resolution 12.14 Adverse Impacts of Anthropogenic Noise on Cetaceans and Other Migratory Species to all national departments involved in deciding on noise-generating activities; b) inform the Scientific Council about experiences and lessons-learnt in the application of these Guidelines, and the need for additional guidance on assessment and mitigation of marine noise.

The Secretariat shall: a) draw Resolution 12.14 Adverse Impacts of Anthropogenic Noise on Cetaceans and Other Migratory Species and the annexed CMS Family Guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessment for Marine Noise-generating Activities to the attention of other relevant intergovernmental organizations and initiatives; b) strengthen coordination with other international fora to encourage coherence in implementation of policies addressing noise impacts on marine life; c) add the Advisory Note: Further guidance on independent, scientific modelling of noise propagation (UNEP/CMS/COP13/Inf.8) to the Technical Support Information provided online at https://www.cms.int/en/guidelines/cms-family-guidelines-EIAs-marine-noi…; d) request the CMS/ACCOBAMS/ASCOBANS Joint Noise Working Group to review the report on Best Available Technology (BAT) and Best Environmental Practice (BEP) for Three Noise Sources: Shipping, Seismic Airgun Surveys, and Pile Driving published as UNEP/CMS/COP13/Inf.9 and publish the resulting version as a Technical Series to make the information easily accessible to Parties; e) prior to the last meeting of the Sessional Committee before the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties, request Parties to submit information on experiences and lessons-learnt in the application of the CMS Family Guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessment for Marine Noise-generating Activities, and the need for additional guidance on assessment and mitigation of marine noise.

The Scientific Council is requested, subject to the availability of resources, to:

a) after it has received input from the CMS/ACCOBAMS/ASCOBANS Joint Noise Working Group, review the report on Best Available Technology (BAT) and Best Environmental Practice (BEP) for Three Noise Sources: Shipping, Seismic Airgun Surveys, and Pile Driving, and, if required, develop voluntary noise mitigation guidelines on these activities of concern;

b) assess the need for updating the CMS Family Guidelines on Environmental Impact Assessment for Marine Noise-generating Activities and/or its Technical Support Information prior to the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties.