Member State report / Art8 / 2018 / D11 / Spain / NE Atlantic: Bay of Biscay & Iberian Coast

Report type Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article Art. 8 Initial assessment (and Art. 17 updates)
Report due 2018-10-15
GES Descriptor D11 Energy, incl. underwater noise
Member State Spain
Region/subregion NE Atlantic: Bay of Biscay & Iberian Coast
Reported by Subdirección General para la protección del mar. D.G. Sostenibilidad de la Costa y del Mar. Minister
Report date 2020-02-03
Report access msfd2018-ART8GES_MOD2020.xml

Demarcación marina noratlántica (ABI-ES-SD-NOR)

GES component
D11
D11
Feature
Impulsive sound in water
Continuous low frequency sound
Element
Element code
Element code source
Element 2
Element 2 code
Element 2 code source
Element source
Criterion
D11C1
D11C2
Parameter
Underwater sound level
Parameter other
Threshold value upper
Threshold value lower
Threshold qualitative
Threshold value source
Threshold value source other
Value achieved upper
Value achieved lower
Value unit
Value unit other
Proportion threshold value
Proportion value achieved
Proportion threshold value unit
Trend
Unknown
Parameter achieved
Unknown
Description parameter
A threshold for peak pressure (SPL) and another threshold for cumulative energy (SEL) which have different values for effects causing damage (PTS) or behaviour disturbance (TTS). For impulsive sources, the PTS varies between 180 and 220 dB for SEL and between 201 and 235 dB for the SPL. On the other hand, the TTS threshold varies for SEL between 160 and 206 dB and for SPL between 195 and 229 dB. The values obtained using the methodology developed by the CEDEX correspond, firstly, to seasonal average values calculated in each of the cells, the areas of the Demarcación that do not have an average annual value and the average annual value for the entire district. The values obtained are significantly lower than the effects thresholds mentioned above for the extent to which it would be comparable.
Related indicator
Criteria status
Not assessed
Unknown
Description criteria
For 63 Hz, the largest noise levels are associated with the main navigation routes, in particular the one passing through the vessel traffic separation device of Finisterre presenting average values close to 120 dB and the one running parallel to the westbound sector?s westbound coast entering and leaving the major ports of the Demarcación with average noise values of 100-110 dB. The ports with the highest noise levels close to 110 dB re 1µPa, Vigo, Pontevedra and Bilbao and to a lesser extent in Coruña, Ferrol, Avilés and Gijón. Areas of fishing activity present noise levels around 100 dB on the continental shelf. Although the pattern of the distribution of noise levels is fairly similar throughout the 4 stations, an increase of the noise level against Bilbao port could be detected in winter 2016 and could be caused by a higher density of tankers in the area. It is also perceived that in the summer the levels are particularly intensified in the areas furthest away from the coast along the connection routes to other ports outside the Demarcación, although this could also be caused by a larger scope at the time of receiving the data during this season. Average noise levels at 125 Hz show lower values than for 63 Hz values less than 10 dB lower
Element status
Description element
Integration rule type parameter
Not relevant
Not relevant
Integration rule description parameter
Integration rule type criteria
Not relevant
Not relevant
Integration rule description criteria
GES extent threshold
GES extent achieved
GES extent unit
GES achieved
Unknown
Unknown
Description overall status
There is no definition of good environmental status agreed at regional/sub-regional level for this criterion. A first preliminary version of the register of impulsive noise generating activities has been developed. This application serves to support the RS.1 sub-programme of impulsive noise to evaluate the RS-IMP indicator (indicator 11.1.1 of Decision 2010/477/EU). A spreadsheet has been created to implement the register of impulsive noise sources using the use of EXCEL (version 2013). In addition, ?macros? have been implemented to automate the tasks and calculations carried out. The spreadsheet has been given different tabs where it can be recorded, stored and evaluated each impulsive noise event. For the calculation of the indicator value, RS-IMP has been considered as relevant activities for the assessment of the indicator where the source level exceeds the thresholds identified in the Guidelines [Dekeling et al., 2014]. This tool has now partially been filled in with data from 2014 and the beginning of 2015. For the time being, a partially filled register has been created and a contract that the Ministry for Ecological Transition will tender in 2019 will be able to specify the following tasks: Development of the appropriate tool Fill in data from March 2015 to date Calculate Indicator Illustrative map generation Support the review of the initial assessment and overall marine strategies Review the initial design of the monitoring programme in light of the new European Commission Decision Advise technicians and leaders on impulsive noise, including possible necessary measures
There is no definition of good environmental status agreed at regional/sub-regional level for this criterion. The estimation of the sound levels received was based on a modelling for the whole area of the Demarcation using maritime traffic density data for 2016 assessed from AIS data supplied by SASEMAR. In the absence of a defined threshold, the percentage of the surface area of the sea basin, in which the threshold values of 100, 110, 120 and 130 dB has been calculated for frequencies of 63 Hz and 125 Hz, so that the area reaching good environmental status can be calculated as soon as the threshold is defined.
Assessments period
2014-2018
2016
Related pressures
  • Input of anthropogenic sound (impulsive, continuous)
  • Input of anthropogenic sound (impulsive, continuous)
Related targets
  • A.N.10
  • B.N.12
  • B.N.14
  • B.N.15
  • B.N.16
  • C.N.15
  • C.N.18
  • C.N.6
  • C.N.7
  • C.N.8
  • A.N.10
  • B.N.12
  • B.N.14
  • B.N.15
  • B.N.16
  • C.N.15
  • C.N.18
  • C.N.6
  • C.N.7
  • C.N.8

Demarcación marina sudatlántica (ABI-ES-SD-SUD)

GES component
D11
D11
Feature
Impulsive sound in water
Continuous low frequency sound
Element
Element code
Element code source
Element 2
Element 2 code
Element 2 code source
Element source
Criterion
D11C1
D11C2
Parameter
Underwater sound level
Parameter other
Threshold value upper
Threshold value lower
Threshold qualitative
Threshold value source
Threshold value source other
Value achieved upper
Value achieved lower
Value unit
Value unit other
Proportion threshold value
Proportion value achieved
Proportion threshold value unit
Trend
Unknown
Parameter achieved
Unknown
Description parameter
A threshold for peak pressure (SPL) and another threshold for cumulative energy (SEL) which have different values for effects causing damage (PTS) or behaviour disturbance (TTS). For impulsive sources, the PTS varies between 180 and 220 dB for SEL and between 201 and 235 dB for the SPL. On the other hand, the TTS threshold varies for SEL between 160 and 206 dB and for SPL between 195 and 229 dB. The values obtained using the methodology developed by the CEDEX correspond, firstly, to seasonal average values calculated in each of the cells, the areas of the Demarcación that do not have an average annual value and the average annual value for the entire district. The values obtained are significantly lower than the effects thresholds mentioned above for the extent to which it would be comparable.
Related indicator
Criteria status
Not assessed
Unknown
Description criteria
For 63 Hz, the highest noise levels are associated with the main navigation routes, in particular the one passing through the vessel traffic separation device of the Bank of the Hoyo presenting average values close to 120 dB. In the main ports of the Demarcación, Huelva, Cadiz and Seville, higher values of noise are also found with average values of 110-120 dB. Although the pattern of the distribution of noise levels is fairly similar throughout the 4 seasons, in summer 2016 and to a lesser extent in spring, an increase of the open sea values off the Huelva coast has been detected, which could be caused by an increased density of cargo and tanker vessels in the area. In this event, the noise levels associated with fishing vessels are almost obscured by the noise levels associated with tankers, cargo ships and passengers sailing in the river basin. Average noise levels at 125 Hz show lower values than 63 Hz for the lower 10 dB, in line with the lowest emission values of vessels in this frequency.
Element status
Description element
Integration rule type parameter
Not relevant
Not relevant
Integration rule description parameter
Integration rule type criteria
Not relevant
Not relevant
Integration rule description criteria
GES extent threshold
GES extent achieved
GES extent unit
GES achieved
Unknown
Unknown
Description overall status
There is no definition of good environmental status agreed at regional/sub-regional level for this criterion. A first preliminary version of the register of impulsive noise generating activities has been developed. This application serves to support the RS.1 sub-programme of impulsive noise to evaluate the RS-IMP indicator (indicator 11.1.1 of Decision 2010/477/EU). A spreadsheet has been created to implement the register of impulsive noise sources using the use of EXCEL (version 2013). In addition, ?macros? have been implemented to automate the tasks and calculations carried out. The spreadsheet has been given different tabs where it can be recorded, stored and evaluated each impulsive noise event. For the calculation of the indicator value, RS-IMP has been considered as relevant activities for the assessment of the indicator where the source level exceeds the thresholds identified in the Guidelines [Dekeling et al., 2014]. This tool has now partially been filled in with data from 2014 and the beginning of 2015. For the time being, a partially filled register has been created and a contract that the Ministry for Ecological Transition will tender in 2019 will be able to specify the following tasks: Development of the appropriate tool Fill in data from March 2015 to date Calculate Indicator Illustrative map generation Support the review of the initial assessment and overall marine strategies Review the initial design of the monitoring programme in light of the new European Commission Decision Advise technicians and leaders on impulsive noise, including possible necessary measures
There is no definition of good environmental status agreed at regional/sub-regional level for this criterion. The estimation of the sound levels received was based on a modelling for the whole area of the Demarcation using maritime traffic density data for 2016 assessed from AIS data supplied by SASEMAR. In the absence of a defined threshold, the percentage of the surface area of the sea basin, in which the threshold values of 100, 110, 120 and 130 dB has been calculated for frequencies of 63 Hz and 125 Hz, so that the area reaching good environmental status can be calculated as soon as the threshold is defined.
Assessments period
2014-2018
2016
Related pressures
  • Input of anthropogenic sound (impulsive, continuous)
  • Input of anthropogenic sound (impulsive, continuous)
Related targets
  • A.S.10
  • B.S.12
  • B.S.14
  • B.S.15
  • B.S.16
  • C.S.15
  • C.S.18
  • C.S.6
  • C.S.7
  • C.S.8
  • A.S.10
  • B.S.12
  • B.S.14
  • B.S.15
  • B.S.16
  • C.S.15
  • C.S.18
  • C.S.6
  • C.S.7
  • C.S.8