Member State report / Art8 / 2018 / D11 / Spain / Mediterranean: Western Mediterranean Sea

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 Mediterranean: Western Mediterranean Sea
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 del Estrecho y Alborán (MWE-ES-SD-ESAL)

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
The spatial assessment of noise at the North Atlantic Ocean Demarcation has been carried out on a rectangular calculating grid in latitude and longitude which fully covers it. The grid has been made in three resolutions: 15?, 5? and 1?. The figures showing the spatial distribution in the 1 'mesh size of the received average noise levels (dB re 1 µPa) in the different stations in 2016 and for the two frequencies concerned (63 and 125 Hz) are available in Document IV of the national report. Annual average values are 112 dB (63 Hz) and 101 (125 Hz) The level of 100 dB is more than 100 % of the area covered by the demarcation line for 63 Hz and at 69.9 % for 125 Hz. The level of 110 dB is more than 74.7 % of the area covered by the marking area for 63 Hz and at 1.89 % for 125 Hz. The level of 120 dB is exceeded at 2.13 % of the area of the district and is not exceeded for 125 Hz
Related indicator
Criteria status
Not assessed
Unknown
Description criteria
For 63 Hz, the highest noise levels are associated with the corridor linking the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea regulated by the sea traffic separation devices (DST) of the Strait of Gibraltar and Cabo de Gata. It is found to be the highest, with values close to 130 dB in the DST of the Strait and in the Bay of Algeciras as well as on the route connecting the port of Algeciras to the Port of Ceuta and to the port of Tangier Med. The remainder of the corridor to the Cabo de Gata?s DST has values in the 110-120 dB area. The same range of values is presented in the vicinity of the ports of Malaga, Melilla, Motril and Almería and on their connecting routes to the three ports located on the Andalusian coast with the port of Melilla. Although the pattern of the distribution of noise levels is fairly similar throughout the 4 seasons, there is an increase in noise in the connection routes between Spanish ports in particular with the port of Melilla and the port of Motril in spring and summer. 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 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.E.10
  • B.E.14
  • B.E.16
  • B.E.17
  • B.E.18
  • C.E.15
  • C.E.16
  • C.E.6
  • C.E.7
  • C.E.8
  • A.E.10
  • B.E.14
  • B.E.16
  • B.E.17
  • B.E.18
  • C.E.15
  • C.E.16
  • C.E.6
  • C.E.7
  • C.E.8

Demarcación marina levantino-balear (MWE-ES-SD-LEV)

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
Although there is no definition of BEB agreed at regional/sub-regional level for this criterion, there are some references to thresholds that can produce effects on marine mammals, including the document prepared by NOAA in 2013, by establishing a double criterion per species
Related indicator
Criteria status
Not assessed
Unknown
Description criteria
For 63 Hz, the highest noise levels are associated with the main shipping routes in this Demarcation as well as in the fishing areas. Although the pattern of the distribution of noise levels is broadly similar throughout the 4 seasons, it is perceived that in the summer season, the levels are particularly intensified at the connecting routes of the Balearic Islands and the mainland and on the connection routes between islands. The highest average values are presented in the environment of the ports of Barcelona, Alicante, Palma, Ibiza, Formentera, and to a lesser extent Valencia, Tarragona and Menorca and have not reached 130 dB re 1µPa of average value for the 63 Hz. Fishing areas present emission values around 100 dB on the continental shelf. 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.L.10
  • B.L.14
  • B.L.16
  • B.L.17
  • B.L.18
  • C.L.15
  • C.L.16
  • C.L.18
  • C.L.6
  • C.L.7
  • C.L.8
  • A.L. 10
  • B.L.14
  • B.L.16
  • B.L.17
  • B.L.18
  • C.L.15
  • C.L.16
  • C.L.18
  • C.L.6
  • C.L.7
  • C.L.8