Member State report / Art11 / 2014-2020 / D11 / Ireland / NE Atlantic: Celtic Seas

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 Ireland
Region/subregion NE Atlantic: Celtic Seas
Reported by Member State
Report date 2013-04-30; 2021-12-08
Report access
2014 data
2020 data
Monitoring programme Monitoring programme name
Monitoring programme Reference existing programme
Monitoring programme Marine Unit ID
Q4e - Programme ID
Q4f - Programme description
Q5e - Natural variability
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES Q5d - Adequate data
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES Q5d - Established methods
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES Q5d - Adequate understanding of GES
Q5d - Adequacy for assessment of GES Q5d - Adequate capacity
Q5f - Description of programme for GES assessment
Q5g - Gap-filling date for GES assessment
Q5h - Plans to implement monitoring for GES assessment
Q6a -Relevant targets Q6a - Environmental target
Q6a -Relevant targets Q6a - Associated indicator
Q6b - Adequacy for assessment of targets Q6b_SuitableData
Q6b - Adequacy for assessment of targets Q6b_EstablishedMethods
Q6b - Adequacy for assessment of targets Q6d_AdequateCapacity
Q6c - Target updating
Q6d - Description of programme for targets assessment
Q6e - Gap-filling date for targets assessment
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
Q8a - Links to existing Monitoring Programmes
Reference sub-programme Sub-programme ID
Reference sub-programme Sub-programme name
Q4g - Sub-programmes Sub-programme ID
Q4g - Sub-programmes Sub-programme name
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
Q9a - Elements
Q5a - GES criteria Relevant GES criteria
Q5b - GES indicators Relevant GES indicators
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
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
Monitoring strategy description
Ireland has one programme to monitor and assess Criterion D11C1 for impulsive noise; the OSPAR Impulsive Noise Registry. This adheres to OSPAR and EC guidance on impulsive noise. Ireland has reported seismic activity data from the years 2016 through to 2019 to this registry. Impulsive noise generated from potential future pile driving activities will be reported to this registry, as the Irish offshore renewable sector progresses; this data will be captured through existing foreshore regulatory regimes. The information collected in this programme allows us to assess inputs of underwater noise into the marine environment from human activities, in the form of ‘Number of Bang Days’. Following the recent MSFD Article 17 Assessment, Criterion D11C1 impulsive noise, was determined to be in GES for Irish Marine waters. D11C2 continuous noise was not assessed as work is still ongoing at OSPAR and EU level to develop methodologies for the assessment of continuous underwater noise.
Coverage of GES criteria
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Gaps and plans
Gaps identified: The key knowledge gap is understanding the levels of anthropogenic underwater noise that can lead to effects at the population level and ecosystem scales. Particularly how to quantify the risk of impact at these scales for vulnerable/threatened species and key functional groups. Risks to populations need to be more clearly established in order to develop proportionate measures. These knowledge gaps need to be addressed before the impacts of impulsive underwater noise in Irish marine waters can be categorically assessed. Gap Plans: progress towards addressing knowledge gaps includes co-operating with other Contracting Parties in OSPAR to develop a comprehensive procedure for the assessment of both impulsive and continuous underwater noise in all OSPAR regions. Including participation in the RAGES, JONAS and SATURN projects.
Related targets
  • D11T1
Coverage of targets
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Related measures
  • ACSIE-M013 - 'Continue to implement Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (85/337/EEC) in order to identify, minimise and mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts.'
  • ACSIE-M014 - 'Continue to implement the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive (2001/42/EC) in order to identify, minimise and mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts.'
  • ACSIE-M015 - 'Awareness and training of best practices in maritime and coastal activities and preservation of the marine environment.'
  • ACSIE-M033 - 'To apply guidance in place for carrying out activities (e.g. pile driving, seismic survey) in Irish marine waters which have the potential to kill, injure or disturb a marine European species (i.e. any cetacean or bird species).'
  • ACSIE-M035 - 'Continue to implement Ireland´s Cetacean Conservation Plan.'
  • ACSIE-M066 - 'Apply Environmental Liability Directive (2004/35/EC) as appropriate.'
  • ACSIE-M067 - 'Implementation of Directive 2013/30/EU on safety of offshore oil and gas operations within Irish Legislation. This ensures protection of the marine environment through implementation of safety measures/mechanisms for offshore oil and gas operations. This includes, inter alia, as per Article 8 of Directive 2013/30/EU, the appointment of the Commission of Energy Regulation (CER) as the competent authority responsible for regulatory functions in this regard.'
  • ACSIE-M124 - 'Continue to implement national legislation to appropriately apply licensing, regulation and planning for the marine and coastal environment, including the requirement for applications to be accompanied by the materials necessary for a full assessment of the proposed plan, project or development.'
  • ACSIE-M125 - 'Ensure that appropriate forms and levels of organisational governance are in place to support Foreshore Licensing, Petroleum Exploration/Appraisal/ Production Licensing, and proposed Maritime Option Licensing process.'
  • ACSIE-M126 - 'Ensure that the consenting/ permitting processes, overseen by relevant regulatory bodies/statutory bodies, sufficiently account for the adequate protection of habitats and species.'
  • ACSIE-M128 - 'To apply the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and associated legislation in relation to licences and consents.'
  • ACSIE-M129 - 'Continue to develop and implement river basin and shoreline management plans to control impacts and improve environmental status.'
  • ACSIE-M130 - 'Develop and implement marine plans for all of Irish waters by 31st March 2021 at the latest.'
  • ACSIE-M133 - 'Ensure that environmental monitoring and mitigation measures stipulated in Environmental Impact Statements are fit for purpose and when/where deemed necessary are conducted appropriately.'
Coverage of measures
Adequate monitoring was in place by 2018
Related monitoring programmes
  • ACS-IE-D11-01
Programme code
ACS-IE-D11-01
Programme name
Impulsive Noise Registry
Update type
Modified from 2014
Old programme codes
  • ACS-IE-D11-01
Programme description
The ICES hosted Impulsive Noise Register has been established to support OSPAR contracting parties; the portal assembles data collated nationally from registers of licenced events such as airgun arrays, pile driving, controlled explosions from naval operations and other activities that release energy. This registry is specifically purposed with supporting OSPAR (and HELCOM) in providing information that will feed regional assessments, and in reporting by its contracting parties to MSFD descriptor 11.
Monitoring purpose
  • Human activities causing the pressures
  • Pressures in the marine environment
Other policies and conventions
  • Birds Directive
  • Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (2011/92/EU)
  • Habitats Directive
  • Maritime Spatial Planning Directive
Regional cooperation - coordinating body
  • OSPAR
Regional cooperation - countries involved
Regional cooperation - implementation level
Coordinated data collection
Monitoring details
Temporal and Spacial data from 2D and 3D Seismic Surveys, carried out under licence of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, are reported under OSPAR Impulsive Underwater Noise Annual Data calls.
Features
Impulsive sound in water
Impulsive sound in water
Impulsive sound in water
Impulsive sound in water
Elements
  • Not Applicable
GES criteria
D11C1
Parameters
  • Other
Parameter Other
Number of Bang Days
Spatial scope
  • EEZ (or similar)
Marine reporting units
  • ACS-IE-AA-001
Temporal scope (start date - end date)
2016-9999
Monitoring frequency
Yearly
Monitoring type
  • Administrative data collection
Monitoring method
  • Guidance on monitoring impulsive underwater noise
Monitoring method other
Quality control
ICES provides a Web Service Description Language (WSDL) document that fully describes the ICES Data Portal Web Service including Quality Control details. https://www.ices.dk/data/data-portals/Pages/impulsive-noise.aspx
Data management
Data held nationally in Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and also in ICES database.
Data access
Related indicator/name
Contact
Mary Hegarty Mary.hegarty@housing.gov.ie
References
Nathan D. Merchant, Mathias H. Andersson, Tetrienne Box, Florent Le Courtois, Dónal Cronin, Neil Holdsworth, Niels Kinneging, Sónia Mendes, Thomas Merck, John Mouat, Alain M.J. Norro, Benjamin Ollivier, Carlos Pinto, Philip Stamp, Jakob Tougaard. Impulsive noise pollution in the Northeast Atlantic: Reported activity during 2015–2017, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 152, 2020