Joint Industry Program (JIP) Joint Industry Program (JIP) Acoustic ResearchAcoustic Research

Roger L. Gentry, Ph. D.Roger L. Gentry, Ph. D.

ProScience Consulting, LLCProScience Consulting, LLCwww.soundandmarinelife.orgwww.soundandmarinelife.org

Today’s topicsToday’s topics

My advice to regulators on the noise issueMy advice to regulators on the noise issue My current role as Program Manager for My current role as Program Manager for

industry research fundindustry research fund Challenges in determining and minimizing Challenges in determining and minimizing

impacts of soundimpacts of sound Recommendations to overcome these Recommendations to overcome these

challengeschallenges

My advice to regulators on the noise My advice to regulators on the noise issue was that NOAA should:issue was that NOAA should:

Become lead agency in resolving underwater Become lead agency in resolving underwater noise issue (regulatory mandate) noise issue (regulatory mandate)

Become primary funder of research to; Become primary funder of research to; – assess global trends in noise assess global trends in noise – support research on effects of acoustic exposuresupport research on effects of acoustic exposure– set science-based noise exposure criteria for marine set science-based noise exposure criteria for marine

mammals, fish, and turtles mammals, fish, and turtles Partner with noise makers (Navy, oil, shipping, Partner with noise makers (Navy, oil, shipping,

etc.) to get data on their sources and effectsetc.) to get data on their sources and effects Results: a budget of $200 k /year 1998-2007Results: a budget of $200 k /year 1998-2007

Typical Seismic OperationPresent cost; $700,000 per day

Airguns

Hydrophonestreamers

Sample JIP Projects June 2006-May 2007 Sample JIP Projects June 2006-May 2007

– Measure airgun outputsMeasure airgun outputs

– New mitigation system (PAMGUARD)New mitigation system (PAMGUARD)

– Investigating attenuation technology Investigating attenuation technology

– Active sonar for whale detectionActive sonar for whale detection

– Analysis of Marine Mammal Observer dataAnalysis of Marine Mammal Observer data

– TTS in dolphins from multiple airgun shotsTTS in dolphins from multiple airgun shots

– Nitrogen levels in diving dolphins (bends)Nitrogen levels in diving dolphins (bends)

– Beaked whale responses to sound (AUTEC)Beaked whale responses to sound (AUTEC)

– Baleen whale hearing, behavioral responseBaleen whale hearing, behavioral response

– Noise exposure criteria fish and turtlesNoise exposure criteria fish and turtles

– Fish tissue injury from airgun pulsesFish tissue injury from airgun pulses**

Challenges in determining the Challenges in determining the effects of soundeffects of sound

Effects difficult to observe/ quantify Effects difficult to observe/ quantify – occur under wateroccur under water– onset may be delayed relative to exposure onset may be delayed relative to exposure – effects may not be linear with exposureeffects may not be linear with exposure– effects vary with range effects vary with range

No methods to measure long-term or cumulative No methods to measure long-term or cumulative effects on individualseffects on individuals

No methods for determining population level No methods for determining population level effects (Biological Significance, PCAD model)effects (Biological Significance, PCAD model)

Range of seismic propagation larger than can be Range of seismic propagation larger than can be monitoredmonitored

Challenges in minimizing the Challenges in minimizing the effects of seismic sound onlyeffects of seismic sound only

Need quantitative definitions of “effect” Need quantitative definitions of “effect” Need mitigation measures that work Need mitigation measures that work Can’t reduce airgun array levels much Can’t reduce airgun array levels much

(stratigraphic variability) (stratigraphic variability) Can’t reduce re-shooting; 4-D needed to Can’t reduce re-shooting; 4-D needed to

guide extraction guide extraction Alternative to airguns expensive to develop Alternative to airguns expensive to develop

RecommendationsRecommendations

NOAA; get dose-response curves for acoustic NOAA; get dose-response curves for acoustic effects in many specieseffects in many species

NOAA; set science-based regulations, lead world’s NOAA; set science-based regulations, lead world’s regulators in adopting themregulators in adopting them

JIP; develop effective mitigation methods JIP; develop effective mitigation methods JIP; develop and test marine vibratorsJIP; develop and test marine vibrators Community; develop methods for cumulative, long-Community; develop methods for cumulative, long-

term effects and their Biological Significanceterm effects and their Biological Significance Congress; vastly more money to government Congress; vastly more money to government

agenciesagencies