The measure consists in extending the information reported to the ICES database with other sources of impulse noise, in addition to the data from maritime proving grounds reported since 2014. Data on works performed at sea that generate impulse noise, i.e. seismic surveys, piling, and sonar tests, which are reported to the Naval Hydrographic Office / Director of the competent Maritime Office, should be submitted annually to the minister responsible for maritime economy. The date and manner of data transfer should be agreed directly with the authority responsible for data reporting. Then, the full scope of reporting sources of impulse noise in Polish maritime areas should be implemented, which should include the above-mentioned sources. The method of reporting should be in accordance with the guidelines of the ninth working meeting of the HELOCM Pressure group (PRESSURE 9-2018) of October 10-12, 2018. """""""" Updated HELCOM reporting format to the register of occurrence of impulsive noise events """"

Noise maps should be developed periodically, preferably within the framework of the Baltic cooperation. Currently, the mapping mechanism is being developed under the cooperation of HELCOM and ICES with the participation of representatives of the Member States. Poland, represented by the Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection, will support activities at the HELCOM level by continuing continuous noise monitoring and transferring recorded data to the database developed by ICES.

The action will consist in creating the best guidelines, i.e. developing technical and organizational methods for reducing impulse noise related to the neutralization of explosives. Domestic and foreign practices will be analyzed in this respect, e.g. methods consisting in intentional scaring of animals, deflagration of loads, extraction and transport of loads in order to neutralize them on land training grounds, the use of air curtains, as well as the possibility of limiting the number of days a year in which marine life is exposed to impulsive noise generated as a result of neutralizing explosives.Detailed guidelines and procedures will be then implemented by the Armed units Forces from thw Republic of Poland and other units dealing with the neutralization of explosives at sea.

In order to protect porpoises and grey seals in the Baltic Sea, underwater noise restrictions should be introduced in NATURA 2000 areas where these animals are protected. Natura 2000 areas where porpoises are protected include: Bay of Puck and Hel Peninsula PLH220032, Ostoja na Zatoka Pomorskiej PLH 990002, Ostoja Slowinska PLH 220023 and Wolin and Uznam PLH 320019. On the other hand, Natura 2000 areas in which the grey seal is protected include those mentioned above for porpoises and: the Vistula Lagoon and the Vistula Spit PLH280007, Ostoja in the Vistula Estuary PLH220044 and Trzebiatowsko-Kolobrzeski Coastal Belt PLH320017. 1. On the basis of the latest available literature, thresholds for impulse noise, behavioural response of animals and hearing impairment shall be defined, which should not be exceeded in Natura 2000 sites for marine mammals protected by the site. Underwater noise levels should be safe at the Natura 2000 border. For marine mammals, the absolute minimum is to take into account the temporary shift of the threshold of audibility (TTS) at the borders of Natura 2000 sites so that the underwater noise level is safe for these animals. For porpoises, the threshold for temporary shift of the threshold of audibility (TTS) due to the pulse noise dose is the level of exposure to SEL sound with the function of frequency weighting according to susceptibility to noise-induced hearing damage of the porpoise: 140 dB re. 1 µPa2s, and for seals with frequency weighing function for pinnipeds 170 dB re. 1 µPa2s (NMFS, 2018, National Marine Fisheries Service, Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing: Underwater Acoustic Thresholds for Onset of Permanent and Temporary Threshold Shifts. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-OPR-59, 178 p.: U.S. Dept. of Commer., NOAA 2018). Seals are less susceptible to noise-induced hearing damage than porpoises (they have higher noise thresholds), so in Natura 2000 areas where both species are protected, the porpoise criterion should be applied. However, it should be sought that Natura 2000 sites, as specially protected, have stricter criteria than TTS, if not at the level of behavioural response, then between this level and TTS. 2. Noise thresholds shall be used in environmental impact assessments of a project. EIA reports should be carried out for all offshore works that result in high levels of sound sources (for this purpose, the possibility of revising and updating types of projects that may always have a significant impact on the environment should be analysed) and should compulsorily include modelling of underwater noise propagation taking into account the unique characteristics of the project (e.g. location, level and spectrum of the sound source). 3. In addition, it is suggested to use the """"soft start"""" procedure for piling and seismic tests for 30 minutes. This procedure consists of a gradual increase in noise intensity in order to allow the animals to move away from the area of work. Another proposal is to establish a Marine Observer of Mammals and Seabirds (MMSO), which continuously observes animals during seismic surveys. 4. In addition, Natura 2000 sites should introduce limits on the maximum speed of passing ships, as well as a ban on scooters entering, thereby reducing noise emissions into their environment. Moreover, it would reduce the risk of these animals colliding with ships. The proposed noise exposure criteria values are based on the updated General Recommendation of the United States National Agency for the Management of National Marine Resources (NMFS). This agency has set thresholds for permanent and temporary hearing damage to marine mammals due to exposure to impulse noise, based on literature data

The action consists in establishing in the Natura 2000 site protection plan and in the maritime development plan, a zone with temporary restrictions on use, in which people and vessels would be banned from mid-February to the end of September. This prohibition would not apply to: - performing tasks in the field of nature conservation, - the performance of tasks by state services, - movement of transport vessels between the mouth of the Vistula and the Gulf of Gdansk at a speed of up to 10 knots. Information on the introduction of the zone should be placed on the paths of the Mewia Lacha reserve and the Natura 2000 Ostoja area in the Vistula Estuary, marked with specialized signal buoys on the border of the zone of limited movement of units, educational boards should be updated with information on the planned protection zone of gray and common seals and information on seal protection in the area of the Vistula Estuary should be promoted. The zone includes the areas of occurrence of meadows in the period 1999-2020 and a buffer with a width of 300-500 m from these regions. The existing nature trail with an observation tower was excluded from the zone. The Water Police will be responsible for complying with and enforcing the restrictions. In addition, we propose to set up two cameras covering the sea and land area to give the possibility of continuous monitoring. In parallel with the creation of a zone in the estuary of the Vistula as part of the Natura 2000 protection plan, an amendment to the Regulation on the protection of animal species should be introduced, consisting in placing the grey seal and the common seal under zonal protection with a radius of the zone of 500 m. Thanks to this, in the event of the emergence of new resting places of both species on the Polish coast, a simple and effective tool for their protection will be available.

The action consists in limiting anthropogenic activity, causing a high level of impulse noise (as a result of primarily piling and explosion) in the area of the Pomeranian Bay and the Central Shoal to months that are important for porpoises (for the Pomeranian Bay July - September and February - March, and for the Central Shoal May - August). Such restrictions could be set in the framework of giving opinions and agreeing on the implementation of projects related to maritime areas that are related to impulse noise emission and as part of activities related to the removal of unexploded ordnance.