Ambient noise measurement North Sea : 2013 & 2014

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive of the European Union contains a monitoring obligation for ambient underwater noise in the marine waters of all EU-member states. At this moment, limited knowledge or data on the ambient noise levels of the North Sea is available. Since the monitoring obligations will be in force in 2015, ARCADIS has been requested by Rijkswaterstaat Zee en Delta to conduct a pilot ambient noise measurement at two locations in the North Sea. The results of the pilot can be used in the assessment of ambient noise levels and model validation. The lessons learned in this pilot will give valuable input in developing a monitoring program for the MFSD in the near future.