Joint Industry Program (JIP) Acoustic Research Roger L. Gentry, Ph. D. ProScience Consulting, LLC

Today’s topics  My advice to regulators on the noise issue  My current role as Program Manager for industry research fund  Challenges in determining and minimizing impacts of sound  Recommendations to overcome these challenges

My advice to regulators on the noise issue was that NOAA should:  Become lead agency in resolving underwater noise issue (regulatory mandate)  Become primary funder of research to; –assess global trends in noise –support research on effects of acoustic exposure –set science-based noise exposure criteria for marine mammals, fish, and turtles  Partner with noise makers (Navy, oil, shipping, etc.) to get data on their sources and effects  Results: a budget of $200 k /year

Typical Seismic Operation Present cost; $700,000 per day Airguns Hydrophone streamers

Sample JIP Projects June 2006-May 2007 Sample JIP Projects June 2006-May 2007 –Measure airgun outputs –New mitigation system (PAMGUARD) –Investigating attenuation technology –Active sonar for whale detection –Analysis of Marine Mammal Observer data –TTS in dolphins from multiple airgun shots –Nitrogen levels in diving dolphins (bends) –Beaked whale responses to sound (AUTEC) –Baleen whale hearing, behavioral response –Noise exposure criteria fish and turtles –Fish tissue injury from airgun pulses*

Challenges in determining the effects of sound  Effects difficult to observe/ quantify –occur under water –onset may be delayed relative to exposure –effects may not be linear with exposure –effects vary with range  No methods to measure long-term or cumulative effects on individuals  No methods for determining population level effects (Biological Significance, PCAD model)  Range of seismic propagation larger than can be monitored

Challenges in minimizing the effects of seismic sound only  Need quantitative definitions of “effect”  Need mitigation measures that work  Can’t reduce airgun array levels much (stratigraphic variability)  Can’t reduce re-shooting; 4-D needed to guide extraction  Alternative to airguns expensive to develop

Recommendations  NOAA; get dose-response curves for acoustic effects in many species  NOAA; set science-based regulations, lead world’s regulators in adopting them  JIP; develop effective mitigation methods  JIP; develop and test marine vibrators  Community; develop methods for cumulative, long-term effects and their Biological Significance  Congress; vastly more money to government agencies