Other - Marine & Freshwater Research Centre, ATU Galway Cityhttps://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/1262024-03-29T16:00:20Z2024-03-29T16:00:20ZPerceptions About Marine Anthropogenic Litter & Microplastic Pollution in IrelandFrias, JoãoNash, Róisínhttps://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/34572022-05-20T16:28:38Z2020-01-01T00:00:00ZPerceptions About Marine Anthropogenic Litter & Microplastic Pollution in Ireland
Frias, João; Nash, Róisín
Thank you for your interest in this booklet which provides an insight into
the current perceptions about marine litter and plastic pollution in Ireland.
The results presented here are based on an online survey conducted between
March and May 2019 to 320 anonymous respondents living in Ireland.
The survey is part of the research project Managing for Microplastics:
A Baseline to Inform Policy Stakeholders (IMP.act) and the respondents
represent diverse sectors in the country such as waste managers, national
and local authorities, academic researchers, coastal tourism and fisheries
representatives, members of non governmental organisations (NGOs)
and recreational users such as surfers, divers, beachgoers and sailors.
Broad trends presented here were done with the consent of
participants and data gathered for this project follows the EU General
Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 ("GDPR") guidelines.
The main aim of this booklet is to assess current knowledge about the
topic from the stakeholder’s perceptions, particularly in relation to plastic
production, consumption and recycling. Understanding societal perceptions
around environmental issues, such as plastic pollution is vital to develop a
successful strategy and to develop mitigation measures for decisive solutions.
The dissemination of the findings is very important to us. To maximise
the benefit of the research carried out, the results of the survey will
be disseminated to the key actors tackling plastic pollution, will allow
citizens to make more informed decisions, will help advocates who are
working to find consensus on national policies and strategies on marine
litter and microplastic pollution and many more. Providing this data
to policy makers can potentially help to contribute to strategic plans
that want to align public perception with societal behavioural change.
2020-01-01T00:00:00ZAssessment and monitoring of ocean noise in Irish watersBeck, SuzanneO'Connor, IanBerrow, SimonO'Brien, Joannehttps://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/2482017-06-20T15:07:07Z2013-01-01T00:00:00ZAssessment and monitoring of ocean noise in Irish waters
Beck, Suzanne; O'Connor, Ian; Berrow, Simon; O'Brien, Joanne
This desk study was aimed to help Ireland meet the requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) (2008/56/EC) under Descriptor 11: The introduction of energy, including underwater noise, is at levels that does not adversely affect the marine environment. The main aim of the MSFD is that European seas achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) by 2020. By 2014, it is expected that all Member States will have established and implemented longterm monitoring programmes. Under Descriptor 11, two indicators have been developed with specific criteria in order to measure whether GES has been achieved. These indicators are 11.1.1, low and midfrequency impulsive noise, and 11.2.1, low frequency continuous noise. To assist in the assessment of the indicators and facilitate the implementation of a longterm monitoring programme, the following project objectives were identified:
• Catalogue and describe acoustic data sets collected within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) within the 10 Hz to 10 kHz band.
• Report on the existence of data sets that have been collected within the Irish EEZ at higher frequency bands.
• Create a register of licensed activities, within the Irish EEZ that contribute to ocean noise, focussing on seismic surveying.
• Assess and quantify seismic survey metadata from various sources to establish the proportion of days within a calendar year or defined period over a specified area in which target sounds are recorded (‘bang days’) and measured as sound exposure level or as peak sound pressure level at 1 m, within the 10 Hz to 10 kHz frequency band.
• Describe an approximate disturbance area for baleen whales.
• Collaborate with the UK in the creation of a joint register of licensed activities for Irish and UK waters, focussing on seismic surveying contributing to regional reporting.
• Create a series of noise maps of seismic survey pressure in Irish waters across the years 2000–2011 based on equipment characteristics.
• Spatially map vessel density across the Irish EEZ using Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data and Automatic Identification System (AIS) data.
• Deploy acoustic monitoring equipment and assess noise levels and evaluate the use of this technique as a means for Ireland meeting requirements under the MSFD.
• Present a conceptual framework for a network of ambient noise monitoring sites within the Irish EEZ.
• Explore monitoring strategies and assess potential technical solutions for a cost-effective noise monitoring programme in Irish waters.
2013-01-01T00:00:00ZAssessment and monitoring of ocean noise in Irish watersBeck, SuzanneO'Brien, JoanneO’Connor, IanBerrow, Simonhttps://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/2472017-06-20T15:07:07Z2012-01-01T00:00:00ZAssessment and monitoring of ocean noise in Irish waters
Beck, Suzanne; O'Brien, Joanne; O’Connor, Ian; Berrow, Simon
Anthropogenic noise is now recognised as a significant pollutant in the marine environment and there is a growing interest from the scientific community, policy makers and the general public in the effects of anthropogenic noise on marine life. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) has developed criteria under Descriptor 11 Noise to define, identify and quantify anthropogenic sound sources, encompassing both low- and mid-frequency impulsive sound (Indicator 11.1.1) and low-frequency continuous sound (Indicator 11.2.1). This report is part of a project on the assessment and monitoring of ocean noise in Irish waters, addressing both Indicators, and is a key delivery on behalf of Ireland meeting obligations under the MSFD. Indicator 11.1.1 addresses noise sources from seismic surveys, sonar, piledriving, acoustic deterrents and the use of explosives. Seismic surveying is the primary technique used in the search for oil and natural gas reserves and is a major sound source of concern when assessing low- and midfrequency impulsive sound in Irish waters.
1. This report aims to assess the pressure of impulsive low- and mid-frequency sounds across the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by quantifying seismic activity at specific geographic locations within Irish waters, helping Ireland to fulfil requirements under the MSFD. Details of seismic surveys conducted in waters under Irish jurisdiction from 2000 to 2011 were obtained from the Petroleum Affairs Division (PAD) of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
2. To quantify seismic activity, a methodology incorporating bang days, as proposed by the Technical Sub-Group of MSFD Descriptor 11, was used. Bang days were defined as “days in which data from seismic surveying were acquired”, assessed in cell blocks of 10' latitude by 12' longitude.
3. To investigate the development of seismic survey equipment, surveys conducted from 2000 to 2011 in Irish waters were categorised based on the volume of the air-gun array in cubic inches. Larger volume arrays are deemed likely to produce louder noise than smaller volume arrays and so volume was used here as a proxy for noise level.
4. Between the years 2000 and 2011, a total of 44 seismic surveys were conducted in waters under Irish jurisdiction. The number of active offshore authorisations has been steadily increasing since 2002, reaching a total of 42 active authorisations in 2011. The year 2011 also reported the greatest number of granted offshore authorisations, indicating a potential rise in seismic activity in the coming years.
5. Noise maps were generated across the years 2000–2011 for bang days and array volume. Analyses of seismic exploration between the years 2000 and 2011 revealed specific areas of interest to the oil and gas industry, namely quadrants Q11, Q12, Q18, Q19, Q25, Q27, Q43, Q48, Q49, Q50 and Q57. The most commonly used array volume in Irish waters between 2000 and 2011 was >3,000–4,000 cubic inches. The emergence of larger volume air-gun arrays occurred in 2007 and, in 2011, array volumes used in seismic surveying exceeded 8,000 cubic inches.
This report has highlighted specific geographical areas with a greater frequency of seismic exploration and additionally highlighted specific geographical areas that have been surveyed using the larger volume arrays. This report was completed as part of a research project (2011-W-MS-6) undertaken by Galway–Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), which was funded by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for theEnvironment (STRIVE) Programme 2007–2013 and by the Irish Government on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government.
2012-01-01T00:00:00Z