Faunaguard: Developing a Species Specific Acoustic Deterrent Device
Type:
Presented during:
WODCON XXII - Enhance the Harmony between Dredging and Ecology
Authors:
H.L.C. van der Meij, E.M.M. van Eekelen and R. ter Hofstede
Abstract
"Large marine fauna such as mammals, reptiles and fish, may be adversely affected by marine dredging and construction works as a result of physical interaction with equipment and/or exposure to high levels of underwater sound. Physical interaction may cause injury or even death, while exposure to high sound levels may lead to behavioural disturbance or physiological harm (e.g. temporary or permanent hearing loss, higher levels of stress hormones leading to increased vulnerability to disease), or (lethal) physical damage to tissues. To avoid the potential impact of marine construction activities on large marine fauna, Van Oord, together with several acoustic and animal behaviour specialists from various companies and universities have co-developed the FaunaGuard, which is part of a group of innovations on environmental protection called the Guards. The FaunaGuard is an Acoustic Deterrent Device (ADD), to safely and temporarily deter specific marine fauna species using specialised underwater acoustics. The underwater acoustics produced by the FaunaGuard have been (and are being) designed and tested in pool and field experiments. The sounds produced by the ADD are designed modularly, to only affect within the hearing range and the reaction threshold levels of specific target species. The ultimate goal is to have the FaunaGuard applied as a scientifically proven mitigation measure to protect a broad spectrum of sensitive marine fauna across the globe, by safely and temporarily deterring the animals from potentially harmful anthropogenic activities. This paper presents the research approach taken for the development of the FaunaGuard and its current status."
Keywords: ADD, fauna protection, risk reduction, mitigation in practice.