NOISEA

The project aims to analyze the impact of maritime traffic and underwater noise on cetaceans in the Mazarrón Escarpment (Murcia, Spain). By integrating advanced mapping techniques, we generate detailed noise and biodiversity maps to establish relationships between maritime traffic, underwater noise, and marine life. Using traffic monitoring data and biodiversity records, including information from whale-watching companies, we investigate the relationship between traffic noise and cetacean presence.
Main activities include complex data analysis, spatial analysis, modeling and predicted scenarios to understand the effect of underwater noise on cetaceans. This information will support more effective decision-making and marine reserve management by informing potential mitigation measures, such as implementing traffic restriction zones, promoting sustainable navigation practices, and adopting quieter vessel technologies.
Beneficiaries include marine reserve managers, policymakers, and local communities reliant on ecosystem services. The project begins this year and will span two years, allowing for comprehensive data collection, analysis, and scenario modeling. Key contributors include researchers, marine biologists, data analysts, and collaborations with local conservation organizations. Through this approach, the project provides actionable insights and tools for marine conservation, responding to the pressures that growing human activity places on marine ecosystems.