The Netherlands: CEDA Presents Position Paper on Underwater Sound

Like many other activities, dredging produces underwater sound. Recently, the issue of effects of underwater sound on aquatic life has received broader attention within the scientific community, with stakeholders and the general public.

This position paper, produced by a CEDA Working Group on Underwater Sound:

– Summarises the effects of sound on aquatic life to set the scene,

– Describes in detail the underwater sounds generated by various components of the dredging process,

– Summarises what is known about potential effects of dredging sounds,

– Identifies options for managing dredging-related sound, and

– Provides conclusions and an outline of future areas of research.

The document includes excellent illustrations of sources of dredging induced underwater sound for different types of equipment.

The Central Dredging Association is committed to environmentally responsible management of dredging activities and this paper – produced by the CEDA Environment Commission – seeks to inform those parties concerned about sounds produced by dredgers Dredging is an activity that is carried out for many purposes.

The dredging process can simplistically be described as the excavation of sediment from a sea, river or lake bed and the handling and transport of the excavated sediments and soils to a placement site elsewhere. Dredging is commonly applied for:

• Construction and maintenance of ports and waterways, dikes and other infrastructures,

• Reclamation of new land,

• Flood and storm protection and erosion control by maintaining river flows and by nourishing beaches,

• Extraction of mineral resources from underwater deposits, particularly sand and gravel, to provide raw materials for the construction industry, and

• Environmental remediation of contaminated sediments.

Thus dredging provides many benefits to society with the goal of sustainable development while protecting natural resources and quality of life.

More info: Underwater sound and Presentation

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Subsea World News Staff , November 17, 2011;  Image: Dredging