Jomopans policy brief
Marine managers have to find a balance between economic interests and protection of the environment at sea. For this challenging task they require accurate information about the effects of human activities on the environment to inform their decisions. This information must be collected, analysed and processed as part of a monitoring programme. In addition, the level of accuracy of the information and the knowledge gaps relevant to the decision must be identified and presented.
Jomopans will develop a framework for a fully operational joint monitoring programme for ambient noise in the North Sea. The aim of this programme is to gather information for marine managers in relation to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). MSFD monitoring is needed to evaluate and maintain a Good Environmental Status.In Jomopans, monthly maps of depth-averaged sound pressure levels for the North Sea will be produced. These maps will enable marine managers and policy makers to identify, for the first time, where noise may adversely affect the North Sea ecosystem.
The JOMOPANS policy brief describes the approach taken by Jomopans to meet that goal. The management perspective of monitoring of underwater sound is shown and major issues are introduced. These issues need to be resolved to move toward a fully operational joint monitoring programme. At the JOMOPANS Mid Term Workshop on 8 October 2019, Mr. Niels Kinneging, JOMOPANS project manager, offered the Policy Brief to Herlinde Vanhoutte (Belgium) and Carina Juretzek (Germany), members of the Policy Advisory Board.
