Since 2016, OSPAR and HELCOM contracting countries have notified impulse sound events for the first time in a sound registry established by them and hosted by ICES (http://underwaternoise.ices.dk/map.aspx). The sound register is intended to cover all impulsive, i.e. short (< 10 seconds) but very loud sound events that have proven negative impacts on the marine environment (Dekeling et al. 2014). The HELCOM State of the Baltic Sea Report gives an overview of the data available for 2013-2016. Since data from contracting parties has so far been provided in varying quality and with gaps, and the assessment criteria are still in development, only a descriptive assessment has been provided so far.

For the future assessment of the spatial distribution, duration and intensity of impulse noise (criterion D11C1) and continuous noise (criterion D11C2), Germany worked with the North Sea and Baltic Sea countries during the reporting period in the framework of the EU as well as OSPAR and HELCOM to develop monitoring plans (Baltic Sea: BIAS project, North Sea: JOMOPANS, see below) and their step-wise implementation. All indicators remain under development and have not been agreed yet at regional level.