Institute of Marine Research, Norway
The Institute of Marine Research is Norway's largest center for marine science. IMR’s main task is to provide advice to Norwegian authorities on aquaculture and on the ecosystems of the Barents Sea, the Norwegian Sea, the North Sea and the Norwegian coastal zone. The aim of research and management advice provided by IMR is to ensure that Norway's marine resources are harvested in a sustainable way. IMR has long experience with bottom mounted observation systems.Noise pollution is an increasing concern as a potential problem, and assessment of underwater noise has therefore become an important aspect of IMR`s advisory tasks. Participation in this project will ensure a good collaboration with the other states around the North Sea towards a common standardization of noise assessment.
IMR, is an governmental institution under the Ministry of Trade Industry and Fisheries in Norway, doing ecosystem monitoring and research for better management advice in Norwegian and Global waters. IMR is strongly contributing to the ICES work charing Working Groups. IMR holds the Norwegian Marine Data center. Finally, IMR has contributed to EU initiatives such as: COPERNICUS, MyOcean/II, RECLAIM, EUROCEAN, SeaDataNet, Bridge-IT, Sea-Search, UNCOVER, EuroGOOS, IOC/IODE , HABES, HABILE, SEFOS.
IMR will be responsible for noise measurements (WP5) in a control area outside the main measurement area in the North Sea. These data will be collected at a fixed cable observatory equipped with hydrophones in an array from the coast to the continental shelf edge outside Lofoten/Vesterålen in North Norway. IMR will also be involved in WP 7, to develop management tools to assess underwater noise. IMR will contribute from its experience in the analysis and interpretation of underwater sound data.
