Quieting Nyc Oceans: Strategies To Reduce Noise Pollution

The ocean is a habitat full of natural sounds that marine life relies on for orientation, communication, and finding prey. However, human-caused noise pollution in the ocean has severe consequences for marine animals, including hearing loss, stress, difficulty feeding, mating disruption, and even death. In New York City, nearly one in six adults report hearing loss or ringing in their ears. To reduce noise pollution in NYC's oceans, measures such as slowing down ship traffic, creating marine protected areas, and transitioning away from oil and gas exploration can be implemented.

Reduce ship speed

Slowing down ships is one of the most effective ways to reduce noise pollution in the oceans near New York City. This method, known as "slow steaming," can achieve multiple benefits at once. For example, a modest 10% reduction in ship speed can:

• Decrease the noise footprint by 40%.
• Reduce fatal collisions between whales and ships.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Reduce emissions of air pollutants, including nitrous oxides, sulfur oxides, black carbon, and particulate matter.

The effectiveness of this strategy is supported by a recent study by French researchers, which found that limiting shipping speed generally reduces underwater shipping noise. The study compared shipping noise in a reference case (real traffic and real speed) with a hypothetical case of speed limitation in the Western Mediterranean Sea. The results showed that a speed reduction of 10 knots resulted in at least a 50% decrease in shipping noise in deeper waters over 1000m.

In addition to reducing noise pollution, slowing down ships can also benefit marine life in other ways. For example, a study in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve found that slower ships produced much lower cumulative sound exposure levels for humpback whales, even though the ships passed by more slowly. This reduction in noise can help whales communicate, detect predators and prey, and navigate more effectively.

Overall, reducing ship speed is a simple yet powerful strategy to mitigate noise pollution in the oceans near New York City and promote a healthier marine environment.

Limit the use of airguns for oil and gas exploration

Airguns are used in the search for oil and gas deposits on the seabed. They emit highly intense noise blasts of up to 260 decibels every 10 to 15 seconds. This noise is louder than a Saturn V rocket during launch.

The noise produced by airguns has been shown to have a detrimental impact on marine life. It can interfere with the natural sounds that marine animals use to communicate, locate food, and navigate. This interference can lead to hearing loss, stress, difficulty feeding, mating disruption, strandings, and even death.

To reduce noise pollution in NYC oceans, it is essential to limit the use of airguns for oil and gas exploration. Here are some measures that can be implemented:

• Restrict the use of airguns in sensitive marine habitats: Avoid using airguns in areas with diverse and biologically important marine life. This helps protect vulnerable species and maintain the ecological balance of these habitats.
• Implement time restrictions: Airgun operations should be limited to specific times outside of important spawning, foraging, and mating seasons for marine species. This ensures that marine life can carry out their natural activities without the disruptive effects of noise pollution during critical periods.
• Promote alternative methods: Encourage the use of less damaging technologies, such as marine vibrator systems, for mapping the seafloor. These alternative methods can be as effective as airguns but produce significantly less noise, reducing the impact on marine life.
• Advocate for international legislation: Support the development and implementation of international rules and regulations that set maximum allowable noise levels for oil and gas exploration activities. This may include specific guidelines for the use of airguns to minimize their negative impact on marine environments.
• Increase protected marine areas: With the growing global commitment to protecting Earth's oceans, such as the 30x30 target and the High Seas Treaty, there is an opportunity to expand marine protected areas. In these areas, strict regulations can be enforced to limit or prohibit the use of airguns, creating safe havens for marine life.
• Engage with governments and industries: Organizations like OceanCare actively advocate for quieter seas by engaging with governments and international bodies. Supporting and collaborating with such initiatives can help amplify the call for reducing the use of airguns and exploring alternative, less harmful methods for oil and gas exploration.

Implement noise-abatement policies

The most common source of ocean noise pollution is ship and boat traffic, so this should be the primary focus of any noise-abatement policies.

One of the easiest ways to reduce noise is to get ships and boats to slow down, especially when moving through areas rich in marine life. This strategy has already been implemented in major ports in the US Pacific Northwest and Vancouver, and has been shown to make a significant difference. Slower ships not only reduce noise levels but also result in lower carbon emissions.

Another approach is to move ship lanes away from areas populated by sensitive species, such as killer whales.

In the long term, ships need to be built and retrofitted with noise abatement in mind. This could include changing shipbuilding requirements so that the engine and propeller are designed to be quieter. For example, the US Navy has learned how to build quieter ships, but this has not yet been required for commercial vessels. Retrofitting ships can be more expensive than adjusting designs for new ships, but it could be worth it if only the most problematic ships are targeted.

To have a widespread effect on marine life, noise abatement endeavours will need to be backed by sweeping public policy. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has made building quieter ships part of its mission and has outlined voluntary guidelines for engineers and manufacturers. However, these have been largely ineffective, and some NGOs are calling for mandatory limitations.

Other sources of ocean noise pollution, such as the construction and operation of offshore wind farms, aircraft take-offs and landings near bodies of water, and underwater mining, should also be addressed through noise-abatement policies. For example, a bubble curtain can be created around wind farm construction sites to block some of the sound. Aircraft runways could be moved further away from areas home to sensitive marine life. And restrictions could be put in place to limit noise exposure for marine animals, regulated by environmental government agencies.

Retrofit ships with noise-reducing technology

Retrofitting ships with noise-reducing technology is a promising strategy to reduce noise pollution in NYC oceans. This approach involves modifying existing ships to incorporate innovative components or systems that minimise noise output. The process can be driven by the need to comply with new regulatory standards or the desire to enhance operational efficiency.

One successful example of ship retrofitting is the collaboration between the Scripps Whale Acoustics Lab and Maersk, a leading container shipping company. They worked together to investigate the impact of retrofitting on noise reduction. Maersk's $1 billion "Radical Retrofit" initiative focused on improving energy efficiency and reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The retrofitting process involved modifications to the bulbous bow, engine output, and propeller blades of 12 G-Class container ships.

The results showed a significant decrease in monopole source levels in the low-frequency band by over five decibels. This reduction was attributed to changes in propeller and bow design, which minimised cavitation, the creation of water cavities due to propeller motion. However, there was a slight increase in radiated noise levels due to the increased number of containers, which affected the vessel's draft.

To further optimise noise reduction, future studies should focus on testing different ship types and design approaches. Additionally, the interaction between retrofit and speed is worth noting, as the greatest noise reduction was observed at slower speeds.

Overall, retrofitting ships with noise-reducing technology is a viable strategy to reduce noise pollution in NYC oceans, and further research and collaboration between industry and experts are crucial to establish effective solutions.

Create financial incentives for quieter ships

Financial incentives have proven to be an effective strategy to encourage the adoption of quieter and more environmentally friendly ships. Port authorities and governments can play a significant role in implementing such incentives to reduce noise pollution in NYC oceans. Here are some measures that can be taken:

Harbour Dues Discounts

Ports can offer discounts on harbour dues for ships that meet certain environmental criteria, such as the implementation of underwater noise reduction technologies. For example, Port Milwaukee introduced the StewardSHIP initiative, which offers a 10% discount on harbour fees for vessels whose owners achieve specific environmental improvements. This initiative recognises private investments made by shipowners in environmental upgrades, encouraging them to adopt greener technologies. The Quebec Port Authority's EcoCargo program and the Prince Rupert Port Authority's Green Wave program are similar initiatives that provide discounts based on a ship owner's level of achievement in environmental certification programs or emission reduction measures.

Incentives for Slower Speeds

As previously mentioned, reducing vessel speed is one of the most effective measures to immediately decrease underwater noise levels. Ports and governments can provide financial incentives for ships that voluntarily reduce their speed, especially in sensitive marine areas. This could include rebates or tax breaks for ships that adhere to speed limits or implement slow-steaming practices.

Subsidies for Quieter Technologies

Financial incentives can be offered to shipowners who invest in quieter vessel design and propeller technologies. For instance, governments could provide subsidies or grants to encourage the adoption of advanced propeller designs or noise-reducing hull coatings. Incentivising these technologies will not only reduce underwater noise pollution but also benefit the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving fuel efficiency.

Emission Reduction Rewards

Ports can establish incentive programs that reward ships for reducing their emissions, which often go hand-in-hand with noise reduction. For example, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's EcoAction program offers incentives for shipping lines that go above and beyond to reduce their environmental footprint, including underwater noise. This program has encouraged the use of low-emission shore power, alternative marine fuels, and noise-quieting propellers, resulting in significant harbour dues discounts.

By implementing these financial incentives, there is a strong possibility that shipowners and operators will be motivated to prioritise noise reduction technologies and practices, ultimately contributing to quieter and healthier oceans in the New York City area.

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