Impact of construction noise on marine environment

How human-created noise polluting our oceans: a CIRIA research project.

In response to legislative changes and increasing environmental pressures, there has been a significant amount of resource spent in trying to understand the effect and implications of anthropogenic noise within the marine environment, particularly below the waterline.

However, the extent to which noise affects local habitats above the waterline are lesser known.

Over the last few years, in the UK, the number of operations and construction activities within the marine environment has escalated including port developments to accommodate growing traffic demand and coastal defence structures being constructed as part of a greater flood risk management strategy.

Additionally, a growing number of offshore structures are being erected to satisfy renewable energy markets.

As such, the effects of noise on marine habitats have become increasingly significant.

The project proposal, The impact of noise from construction activities on the marine environment, put forward by CIRIA, seeks to gauge the level (and usefulness) of information and data available, assess current industry practices and provide a gap analysis regarding the effect of noise on the marine environment above the waterline.

Getting involved.

Although a number of government and private sector stakeholders have expressed interest and some have pledged financial support, funding will be sought from a number of different organisations with an interest in the topic.

Some of the benefits of being involved with this project include:.

- Directly influence the work through participation as a member of the Project Steering Group.

- Participation in specific research at a fraction of the total cost.

- Privileged early access to results.

- Opportunity to widen contacts with industry specialists, regulators and the construction industry in general.

- An opportunity for funders to proactively highlight commitment to continuous improvement in the construction industry.

- Sponsors logos used in marketing and outputs (depending on funding levels).

Camilla Vote, Project Manager.

Email: Camilla.vote@ciria.org.

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