OKEANOS

This week, our PhD student Fran Felix Z. is attending the EMSA Workshop on Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) in Lisbon (12–13 October), bringing together researchers, policymakers and industry expertsto explore practical solutions to shipping noise in European waters.

The workshop tackles a critical question: how do we realistically reduce the cumulative noise generated by vessels, through quieter propulsion, speed optimisation, routing, port measures, spatial planning and adaptive management, across the complex mix of EU, national, regional and international frameworks?

For island systems like the Azores, this is a particularly relevant challenge. Seasonal ferry traffic, sensitive marine habitats and limited routing flexibility highlight the need to balance maritime transport with the protection of marine ecosystems.

The discussion is led by a strong group of experts and institutions, including Simone Panigada (Tethys Research Institute / ACCOBAMS), Aristides Prospathopoulos (Hellenic Centre for Marine Research / TG Noise), Karen de Jong (Rijkswaterstaat), Aurélie Cosandey-Godin (Transport Canada), Eric Baudin (Bureau Veritas), Federica Pace (JASCO Applied Sciences), Jean-Noël Druon (European Commission, JRC), Gabriele Goettsche-Wanli (UN DOALOS) and Aurore Morin (IFAW).

Understanding and reducing underwater noise is an important step towards quieter seas and healthier marine ecosystems.

post room