Contribute to the development of an OSPAR Regional Action Plan of measures to reduce noise pollution in the OSPAR maritime region.
Objective 1: Accelerate ecosystem restoration and regeneration
Priority Action 4. Improve Resilience in Coastal and Marine Systems by reducing pressures and increase and safeguard space for coastal habitat change
Scotland is contributing to the development and early implementation of the OSPAR Regional Action Plan (RAP) on underwater noise, which covers the period 2025–2035 and is coordinated across OSPAR Contracting Parties.
The RAP supports delivery of the North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy (NEAES) 2030, particularly Objective 8 on reducing anthropogenic underwater noise. Current activity is focused on regional coordination, improving monitoring approaches, and developing measures to better understand and manage noise pressures.
Delivery is being progressed at the international (OSPAR) level rather than through a distinct Scotland-specific plan, with actions implemented through collaboration with UK and other North-East Atlantic partners.
Current activity focuses on international coordination, monitoring development, and improving understanding of underwater noise impacts rather than direct implementation of Scotland-specific mitigation measures.
As a result, ecological benefit is primarily delivered through policy alignment and regional cooperation, with limited evidence yet of measurable reductions in underwater noise within Scottish waters. Strengthened implementation of OSPAR measures, combined with national monitoring and mitigation actions, could significantly reduce disturbance to marine species and improve ecosystem function in sensitive marine habitats.
OSPAR – Underwater noise work area
OSPAR – North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy 2030
UK Marine Strategy Part One Assessment (2024)
Identify and address gaps in current evidence on coastal habitats, through research and monitoring as an enabling action for all coastal biodiversity actions (2024-2028) and fund research commencing in 2024 into better quantifying the adaptation benefits of coastal landforms and habitats to maximise biodiversity benefits.
Complete an initial prioritisation exercise identifying accommodation space to be protected for coastal habitat change to promote recovery and adaptation, and identify potential future mechanism(s) to deliver recovery and adaptation, including agricultural subsidies.
Reduce marine litter and marine plastics by implementing the Marine Litter Strategy for Scotland (published 2022) through a six-year action plan that includes: {supporting the improvement of waste management for end of life fishing gear. Enable improved plastic pellet handling and management across the plastics supply chain to reduce pellet loss, and provide guidance to support pellet clean up in…
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