Abstract
This document sets out the SNCBs’ advice on assessing the risk of significant disturbance as a result of noise and consequently managing noise disturbance within harbour porpoise sites to avoid a potential adverse effect on site integrity. This advice should be considered by competent authorities when undertaking HRAs. The approach applies to all plans and projects within or affecting a site that could cause significant noise disturbance to harbour porpoise, alone or in combination with other plans or projects.
A number of noise generating activities can potentially result in disturbance and injury to harbour porpoise e.g. geophysical surveys for oil and gas exploration (Pirotta et al. 2014), the detonation of unexploded ordnance (Benda-Beckman et al. 2015), Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs, Northridge et al. 2010), pile driving undertaken for the installation of offshore wind turbines (e.g. Dähne et al 2013), and the construction of marine facilities such as harbours. Those undertaking such activities are required to mitigate against the risk of injury to marine mammals, typically by following the JNCC guidelines/protocol. However, these mitigation protocols primarily address the reduction of the injury risk in close proximity to the noise source and do not address disturbance which can occur many kilometres away from the source.