Implementing NOAA Fisheries’ 2016 Marine Mammal Acoustic Guidance: Challenges and lessons learned

Abstract

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) first comprehensive Guidance addressing the effects of noise on marine mammal hearing is intended for use by NOAA managers and applicants to better predict acoustic exposures that have the potential to trigger certain requirements under various statutes (e.g., U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act; Endangered Species Act). The Guidance was developed by compiling, interpreting, and synthesizing scientific information on the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammal hearing. The Guidance’s updated acoustic thresholds are more sophisticated than our previous thresholds. This added complexity is an important consideration for applicants who have formerly relied on more simple acoustic thresholds to evaluate potential impacts. Thus, the development of user-friendly tools is a fundamental issue for the regulatory community that is not often considered by most outside this group. As NOAA implements the Guidance, we have entered a new phase that consists of its own inherent issues and challenges associated with the practicality of employing more complex science to real-world applications. Throughout this process, NOAA has learned several valuable lessons, which will help improve the process of updating this document as well as drafting future guidance (e.g., marine mammal behavioral guidance; guidance for other protected species).