Highlights and images for 20 June 2018

Summary

The nineteenth meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP-19) resumed on Wednesday, 20 June 2018, at UN Headquarters in New York. In morning and afternoon sessions, panel discussions continued to focus on cooperation and coordination in addressing anthropogenic underwater noise.

In the morning session, panelists presented information on collaborative approaches to underwater noise, including on:

  • EU regional strategies, including its Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), which has “human-induced marine underwater noise” as part of a pollution definition;
  • The Impulsive Noise Registry by the Commission on the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR);
  • Addressing anthropogenic underwater noise through other relevant processes in the absence of specific national legislation;
  • A collaborative approach to assess vessel-noise impacts on Commerson’s dolphins in the Argentine Sea; and
  • A voluntary vessel slowdown trial in Canada within the endangered southern resident killer whale feeding area.

In the afternoon session, key points from presentations included:

  • A whale stranding event in Madagascar that helped identify gaps in knowledge, expertise, and legislation to investigate, evaluate or prevent noise pollution;
  • The Green Marine independent certification program with 124 participating countries that establishes performance indicators;
  • A review of key events and milestones for addressing ocean noise;
  • The role of industry in managing the impacts of underwater noise on marine life; and
  • The application of underwater sound for fish stock surveys.

During the lunch break, a side event, “Sonic Sea: Film screening and Q&A” was hosted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided daily digital coverage from the 19th Meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. In addition IISD Reporting Services has published a summary and analysis report from the meeting, which is available in HTML and PDF.

Photos by IISD/ENB | Diego Noguera
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Morning Panel on “Cooperation and Coordination in Addressing Anthropogenic Underwater Noise”

Participants during the session

René Dekeling, European Commission

A slide from René Dekeling’s presentation

Nathan Merchant, Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture, United Kingdom

A slide from Nathan Merchant’s presentation

Loúreene Jones, National Environment and Planning Agency, Jamaica

Ramona Sladic, Canada

Jonathan Vallarta, Mexico

Mariana Melcon, Fundación Cethus

A slide from Mariana Melcon’s presentation

Carrie Brown, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Canada

A slide from Carrie Brown’s presentation

G. Latha, India

Michael Jasny, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

Stefan Micallef, International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Rebecca Lent, International Whaling Commission (IWC)

Martijn Peins and Sidney Kemble, the Netherlands

L-R: Rishy Bukoree, Mauritius; Michael Jasny and Lauren Kubiak, NRDC

Afternoon Panel on “Cooperation and Coordination in Addressing Anthropogenic Underwater Noise”

The dais during the session

René Dekeling, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Netherlands

A slide from René Dekeling’s presentation

Véronique Nolet, Green Marine

A slide from Véronique Nolet’s presentation

Howard Rosenbaum, Wildlife Conservation Society

A slide from Howard Rosenbaum’s presentation

Frank Thomsen, Central Dredging Association (CEDA)

A slide from Frank Thomsen’s presentation

Mark Tasker, International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES)

A slide from Mark Tasker’s presentation

Frank Thomsen, CEDA

Ramona Sladic, Canada, and Brendan Burke, US

L-R: Amelia Faotusia, Tonga; Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, ENB; Adi Talanaivini Mafi, Tonga; and Kevin Chand, the Malidves

Delegates from the Czech Republic and Japan check the ENB website

Around the UN

Participants

Negotiating blocs
European Union