Noise pollution from Arctic expedition cruise vessels: understanding causes, consequences and governance options

Abstract

Significant increase in shipping in the Arctic has caught international and national attention. The rising presence of touristic expedition cruise vessels might describe a special case for noise as a marine pollutant while they seek exclusive opportunities to experience the Arctic first-hand. This interdisciplinary study develops a conceptual framework to investigate context-specific vessel noise cause-effect dynamics and how this knowledge can assist policymakers and industry in increasing environmental safety. The study comprehensively reviews noise-emitting activities from Arctic cruise expeditions and potential adverse consequences for Arctic endemic marine mammals. It further discusses governance options for mitigating these consequences. Internationally, legal adaptations in the shipping conventions MARPOL and SOLAS should recognise noise as harmful energy. This could facilitate the uptake of noise-level-based certification schemes in the Polar Code. These legal actions can be strengthened by extended collective self-governance and through introducing economic incentives at the port level.