Member State report / Art11 / 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 | 2020-10-15 |
GES Descriptor | D11 Energy, incl. underwater noise |
Member State | Belgium |
Region/subregion | NE Atlantic: Greater North Sea |
Reported by | FPS Science Policy, Management Unit of the North Sea Mathematical Models (Scientific Service MUMM, R |
Report date | 2020-10-29 |
Report access |
Descriptor |
D11 |
D11 |
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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.
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No gaps.
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Related targets |
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Coverage of targets |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Related measures |
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Coverage of measures |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018 |
Related monitoring programmes |
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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 |
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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 |
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Other policies and conventions |
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Regional cooperation - coordinating body |
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Regional cooperation - countries involved |
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Regional cooperation - implementation level |
Agreed data collection methods |
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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
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Continuous low frequency sound
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Elements |
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GES criteria |
D11C1 |
D11C2 |
Parameters |
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Parameter Other |
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Spatial scope |
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Marine reporting units |
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Temporal scope (start date - end date) |
2008-9999 |
2018-9999 |
Monitoring frequency |
As needed |
Unknown |
Monitoring type |
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Monitoring method |
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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
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Unknown
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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 |
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Related indicator/name |
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Contact |
Alain Norro, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS) |
Alain Norro, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science (RBINS) |
References |