Member State report / Art11 / 2014-2020 / D11 / Belgium / NE Atlantic: Greater North Sea

Report type Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article Art. 11 Monitoring programmes (and Art. 17 updates)
Report due 2014-10-15; 2020-10-15
GES Descriptor D11 Energy, incl. underwater noise
Member State Belgium
Region/subregion NE Atlantic: Greater North Sea
Reported by Reporter not found
Report date Date not found; 2020-10-29
Report access
2014 data
2020 data
Monitoring programme Monitoring programme name
MP_D11
MP_D11
Monitoring programme Reference existing programme
Monitoring programme Marine Unit ID
Q4e - Programme ID
ANSBE-D11 Energy, incl. underwater noise
ANSBE-D11 Energy, incl. underwater noise
Q4f - Programme description
The Belgian MSFD monitoring programme ‘Contaminants in seafood’ aims at assessing the following ETs: • ET 49 – The level of anthropogenic impulsive sound is less than 185 dB re 1 μPa (zero-to-peak SPL) at 750m from the source • ET 50 – No positive trend in the yearly mean ambient noise level within the 1/3 octave bands 63 and 125 Hz Two sub-programmes can be discerned: ANSBE-D11 Energy-SP29 (delivering data to assess ET49), targeting the quantification of anthropogenic underwater sound levels ANSBE-D11 Energy-SP30 (delivering data to assess ET50), targeting the quantification of ambient noise level at two moored stations inside the Belgian Continental Part of the North Sea
The Belgian MSFD monitoring programme ‘Contaminants in seafood’ aims at assessing the following ETs: • ET 49 – The level of anthropogenic impulsive sound is less than 185 dB re 1 μPa (zero-to-peak SPL) at 750m from the source • ET 50 – No positive trend in the yearly mean ambient noise level within the 1/3 octave bands 63 and 125 Hz Two sub-programmes can be discerned: ANSBE-D11 Energy-SP29 (delivering data to assess ET49), targeting the quantification of anthropogenic underwater sound levels ANSBE-D11 Energy-SP30 (delivering data to assess ET50), targeting the quantification of ambient noise level at two moored stations inside the Belgian Continental Part of the North Sea
Q5e - Natural variability
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES Q5d - Adequate data
N
N
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES Q5d - Established methods
Y
Y
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES Q5d - Adequate understanding of GES
Y
Y
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES Q5d - Adequate capacity
N
N
Q5f - Description of programme for GES assessment
Q5g - Gap-filling date for GES assessment
By2018
By2018
Q5h - Plans to implement monitoring for GES assessment
Q6a -Relevant targets Q6a - Environmental target
Target 49 Target 50
Target 49 Target 50
Q6a -Relevant targets Q6a - Associated indicator
Target 49 Target 50
Target 49 Target 50
Q6b - Adequacy for assessment of targets Q6b_SuitableData
N
N
Q6b - Adequacy for assessment of targets Q6b_EstablishedMethods
N
N
Q6b - Adequacy for assessment of targets Q6d_AdequateCapacity
N
N
Q6c - Target updating
N
N
Q6d - Description of programme for targets assessment
N.A.
N.A.
Q6e - Gap-filling date for targets assessment
By2018
By2018
Q6f - Plans to implement monitoring for targets assessment
Q7a - Relevant activities
Q7b - Description of monitoring of activities
Q7c - Relevant measures
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures Q7d - Adequate data
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures Q7d - Established methods
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures Q7d - Adequate understanding of GES
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures Q7d - Adequate capacity
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures Q7d - Addresses activities and pressures
Q7e - Adequacy for assessment of measures Q7d - Addresses effectiveness of measures
Q7d - Description of monitoring for measures
Q7f - Gap-filling date for activities and measures
By2014
By2014
Q8a - Links to existing Monitoring Programmes
Reference sub-programme Sub-programme ID
Reference sub-programme Sub-programme name
Diffuse underwater noise - distribution, frequency and levels
Diffuse underwater noise - distribution, frequency and levels
Q4g - Sub-programmes Sub-programme ID
Q4g - Sub-programmes Sub-programme name
Diffuse underwater noise - distribution, frequency and levels
Diffuse underwater noise - distribution, frequency and levels
Q4k - Monitoring purpose
Q4l - Links of monitoring programmes of other Directives and Conventions
Q5c - Features Q5c - Habitats
Q5c - Features Q5c - Species list
Q5c - Features Q5c - Physical/Chemical features
Q5c - Features Q5c - Pressures
  • Noise
  • Noise
Q9a - Elements
Q5a - GES criteria Relevant GES criteria
  • 11.1
  • 11.2
  • 11.1
  • 11.2
Q5b - GES indicators Relevant GES indicators
  • 11.1.1
  • 11.2.1
  • 11.1.1
  • 11.2.1
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Species distribution
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Species population size
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Species population characteristics
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Species impacts
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Habitat distribution
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Habitat extent
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Habitat condition (physical-chemical)
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Habitat condition (biological)
Q9b - Parameters monitored (state/impact) Habitat impacts
Q9b - Parameters monitored (pressures) Pressure input
Q9b - Parameters monitored (pressures) Pressure output
Q9b - Parameters monitored (activity) Activity
Q9b Parameters monitored (other) Other
Q41 Spatial scope
Q4j - Description of spatial scope
Marine Unit IDs
  • ANS-BE-MS-1
  • ANS-BE-MS-1
Q4h - Temporal scope Start date- End date
-
-
Q9h - Temporal resolution of sampling
Q9c - Monitoring method
Q9d - Description of alteration to method
Q9e - Quality assurance
Q9f - Quality control
Q9g - Spatial resolution of sampling Q9g - Proportion of area covered %
Q9g - Spatial resolution of sampling Q9g - No. of samples
Q9i - Description of sample representivity
Q10a - Scale for aggregation of data
Q10b - Other scale for aggregation of data
Q10c - Access to monitoring data Q10c - Data type
Q10c - Access to monitoring data Q10c - Data access mechanism
Q10c - Access to monitoring data Q10c - Data access rights
Q10c - Access to monitoring data Q10c - INSPIRE standard
Q10c - Access to monitoring data Q10c Date data are available
Q10c - Access to monitoring data Q10c - Data update frequency
Q10d - Description of data access
Descriptor
D11
D11
Monitoring strategy description
For impulsive noise, activities that are expected to generate high levels are subjected to an environmental assessment and are monitored. Effects on fish and marine mammals are assessed. Where impacts are expected, mitigatitive and/or preventive measures are imposed. Monitoring is dependent on the activities (there are currently no plans to build new wind farms before 2026, so no piling activities are expected for the period 2020-2026). At the level of OSPAR, an impulsive noise register exists that includes data on time, area and, if available, noise levels. For ambient noise, an international project (JOMOPANS) was initiated to establish a methodology and set a current baseline.
For impulsive noise, activities that are expected to generate high levels are subjected to an environmental assessment and are monitored. Effects on fish and marine mammals are assessed. Where impacts are expected, mitigatitive and/or preventive measures are imposed. Monitoring is dependent on the activities (there are currently no plans to build new wind farms before 2026, so no piling activities are expected for the period 2020-2026). At the level of OSPAR, an impulsive noise register exists that includes data on time, area and, if available, noise levels. For ambient noise, an international project (JOMOPANS) was initiated to establish a methodology and set a current baseline.
Coverage of GES criteria
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Gaps and plans
No gaps.
No gaps.
Related targets
  • D11.T1
  • D11.T2
  • D11.T1
  • D11.T2
Coverage of targets
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Related measures
  • 1 - 'Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE)'
  • 30 - 'Implementation of non-technical measures to limit the disturbance of marine mammals due to military activities'
  • 31 - 'Dialogue and raising awareness about the measures taken in the shipping sector in order to limit the underwater effects of noise on cetaceans'
  • 3E - 'Authorisation conditions in the wind farms area to limit the level of underwater noise during construction'
  • 3F - 'Follow-up during the construction and operation (hard substrates introduction, sub-marine noise, benthos, etc.)'
  • 7A - 'Ban on high speed ship traffic and exercises with helicopters at less than 500 feet in the SPA-O1 and SPA-O2 from 1 December to 15 March'
  • 7B - 'Ban on marine sport competition in SPA-01 and SPA-02'
  • 1 - 'Report on Environmental Impacts (REI) and Adapted Evaluation (AE)'
  • 30 - 'Implementation of non-technical measures to limit the disturbance of marine mammals due to military activities'
  • 31 - 'Dialogue and raising awareness about the measures taken in the shipping sector in order to limit the underwater effects of noise on cetaceans'
  • 3E - 'Authorisation conditions in the wind farms area to limit the level of underwater noise during construction'
  • 3F - 'Follow-up during the construction and operation (hard substrates introduction, sub-marine noise, benthos, etc.)'
  • 7A - 'Ban on high speed ship traffic and exercises with helicopters at less than 500 feet in the SPA-O1 and SPA-O2 from 1 December to 15 March'
  • 7B - 'Ban on marine sport competition in SPA-01 and SPA-02'
Coverage of measures
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Related monitoring programmes
  • ANSBE-P28-Noise-1-Impulsive
  • ANSBE-P29-Noise-2-Ambient
  • ANSBE-P28-Noise-1-Impulsive
  • ANSBE-P29-Noise-2-Ambient
Programme code
ANSBE-P28-Noise-1-Impulsive
ANSBE-P29-Noise-2-Ambient
Programme name
Monitoring of the offshore wind farms: Underwater noise
Energy, including underwater noise
Update type
Modified from 2014
Modified from 2014
Old programme codes
  • ANSBE-D11-Energy-SP29
  • ANSBE-D11-Energy-SP30
Programme description
The construction of wind turbines can generate high levels of underwater noise, depending on the technique used. During operational phase of the wind parks that may last for at least 20 years, lower but less known levels will be emitted in the environment. The monitoring, in place from 2008, aims at qualifying and quantifying these levels of underwater sound. Sound pressure, expressed in Pa, will be measured and the result will also be used to quantify the potential impact on marine biota. This programme contributes to environmental target D11.1. (Former programme ANSBE-D11-Energy-SP29)
Data gathering and analysis in relation to MSFD descriptor 11 (Trend in ambient noise) This programme contributes to the environmental target D11.2. (Former programme ANSBE-D11-Energy-SP30)
Monitoring purpose
  • Human activities causing the pressures
  • Human activities causing the pressures
Other policies and conventions
Regional cooperation - coordinating body
  • OSPAR
Regional cooperation - countries involved
Regional cooperation - implementation level
Agreed data collection methods
Monitoring details
Frequency of sampling: irregularly and inside a construction period
1) Start date: 1/1/2018 - Installation of a continuous measurement station at the Westhinder pile 2) Frequency of sampling: 78 kHz
Features
Impulsive sound in water
Continuous low frequency sound
Impulsive sound in water
Continuous low frequency sound
Impulsive sound in water
Continuous low frequency sound
Impulsive sound in water
Continuous low frequency sound
Elements
  • Not Applicable
  • Not Applicable
GES criteria
D11C1
D11C2
Parameters
  • Level of sound
  • Underwater sound level
Parameter Other
Spatial scope
  • Coastal waters (WFD)
  • EEZ (or similar)
  • Territorial waters
  • EEZ (or similar)
  • Territorial waters
Marine reporting units
  • ANS-BE-MS-1
  • ANS-BE-MS-1
Temporal scope (start date - end date)
2008-9999
2018-9999
Monitoring frequency
As needed
Unknown
Monitoring type
  • Other
  • Other
Monitoring method
  • Other monitoring method
  • Other monitoring method
Monitoring method other
Real time measurements of piling events, post-treatment by home made software. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2013/897624/
Recordings obtained from at least 1 moored station inside the BCP. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2013/897624/
Quality control
Unknown
Unknown
Data management
The rules for access rights to the data are determined by the construction and operating permits of the wind farms. The data is transmitted via BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).
The data is transmitted through BMDC's Data Tracking System, which makes it publicly accessible via RBINS' metadata catalogue (http://metadata.naturalsciences.be).
Data access
Related indicator/name
Contact
Alain Norro, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)
Alain Norro, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS)
References