Quantifying Acoustic Impacts on Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles: Methods and Analytical Approach for Phase III Training and Testing
Abstract
The United States Department of the Navy is required to assess impacts of Navy-generated sound in the water on protected marine species in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This report applies to all of the Navys Phase III Study Areas as described in each Environmental Impact Statement/ Overseas Environmental Impact Statement and describes the methods and analytical approach to quantifying the number of potential effects to marine mammals and sea turtles as a result of the Navys at-sea training and testing. The Navy Acoustics Effect Model (NAEMO) serves as the primary data entry point for Navy activity information and as a repository for modeling output and estimated effects. The Navy used specific information about environmental conditions, best available marine mammal and sea turtle data, and projected Navy activities within each Study Area to run NAEMO. To account for mitigation for marine mammals and sea turtles, the Navy applies mitigation effectiveness factors to NAEMO output to conservatively quantify the potential for mitigation to reduce model-estimated exposures. Potential for avoidance, range to effects, and guild and stock breakouts are also discussed to present a comprehensive overview of the methods to quantify acoustic impacts on marine mammals and sea turtles.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 16, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1046606
Entities
People
- Cameron Martin
- E. Elizabeth Henderson
- Joseph O. Fayton
- Keith K. Jenkins
- Peter H. Hulton
- Sarah A. Blackstock
- Sarah Kotecki
- Sarah Rider
- Tara E. Moll
- Victoria Bowman
Organizations
- Naval Undersea Warfare Center