National Information Session: Canada’s Draft Ocean Noise Strategy

Text on screen: Canada’s draft Ocean Noise Strategy. A coordinated approach to minimize impacts on marine life. National information session. Government of Canada.

Voiceover: Welcome to this national information session on Canada’s Draft Ocean Noise Strategy, a coordinated approach to minimize impacts on marine life.

We appreciate the time you’ve taken out of your busy lives to hear more about this initiative.

Before we begin, I would like to acknowledge that the land on which we are hosting today’s virtual event – that is the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe People – and to express my gratitude for the opportunity to live and work on this land.

We honour the Indigenous Peoples' enduring relationship with the ocean, their significant contributions to its protection, and their resilience in the face of adversity.

We commit ourselves to learn from their wisdom and to work together for the preservation of our oceans, recognizing that every action we take, no matter how far from the coast, impacts the health of our global ocean.

So today we will provide an overview of ocean noise, talk about why this issue is important, and introduce you to the recently published draft strategy.

So perhaps we could put the outline slide on – which is the next one. Great.

Text on screen: Outline:

• ocean noise and its impacts
• introducing Canada’s draft Ocean Noise Strategy
• consultation process
• question and answer session

Voiceover: So we will be walking you through the consultation process as well, that has just begun, and several ways you can participate and make your voice heard.

Next slide please.

Text on screen: Importance of sound in the ocean.

Sound is essential for life under water.

Marine animals produce sounds to:

• monitor their environment and navigate
• communicate and socialize
• forage for food
• find mates
• avoid predators

Many marine animals have evolved efficient systems to make and hear sounds of interest, sometimes from long distances.

Voiceover: When we think of the ocean, we often imagine a serene, quiet world.

In reality, the ocean is teeming with life and is a bustling hub of natural sounds.

Some of these sounds are from physical sources such as ice cracking and deep undersea earthquakes, while others are from living creatures.

Sound is essential for life underwater and marine animals rely on sound in a variety of ways.

Marine animals produce sounds to monitor their environment and navigate, communicate and socialize with one another, to find food and mates and to avoid predators.

Many marine animals have evolved efficient acoustic systems to make and hear important sounds, sometimes from incredibly long distances.

Next slide please.

Text on screen: Human activities can also generate underwater sounds.

Human activities in or near the ocean contribute to the overall soundscape of the underwater environment.

Soundscape: The mix of sounds in a specific environment, including natural and human-generated sounds.

Human sources of sound include:

• vessels
• military, industrial and construction activities
• echosounders and sonar
• seismic surveys

Sounds from human activities can negatively impact marine life.

Voiceover: Human activities are also a major source of sound in underwater environments and contribute to the overall soundscape.

The word soundscape describes the total mix of sounds in a given environment and includes natural sounds and those generated by human activities.

Major sources of human-generated sound in the marine environment include large and small vessels, military, industrial and construction activities, echosounders and sonar, as well as seismic surveys that can be used to search for natural resources.

Sounds from human activities that can harm marine life are described as underwater ocean noise.

Next slide please.

Text on screen: Underwater ocean noise and its impacts.

Ocean noise has a wide range of impacts on marine species, including but not limited to:

• masking, decreasing an animal’s ability to detect, recognize, and understand important sound signals
• physiological effects, including increased stress
• behavioural changes and disrupting normal activities
• physical injuries, including hearing impairment, and in some extreme cases, even death

Voiceover: Increased human activity in Canada’s marine and coastal waters and waterways has had a variety of impacts on marine animals.

Human-generated underwater ocean noise has been linked to a wide range of impacts on many marine species, including marine mammals, fish, sea turtles, marine invertebrates, and seabirds.

Ocean noise may interfere with or mask vital sounds such as those from prey, predators, and mates.

Noise may cause increased stress in marine animals, resulting in weakened immune system responses and reduced reproductive rates.

Noise exposure can also cause behavioural changes and interruptions of normal activities, including feeding or social interactions, changes in movement or diving behaviour, and may cause animals to leave their habitat.

Permanent behavioural change may impact an animal’s ability to find food and reproduce.

Intense noise exposure may cause temporary or permanent hearing impairment, and in extreme cases lead to death if an animal is unable to detect signals.

Ocean noise can also have a negative impact on the cultural and societal practices of coastal and Indigenous communities as it can drive away important marine species, disrupting hunting and fishing practices.

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Text on screen: Working together to manage ocean noise.

Indigenous partners and communities, provinces and territories, industries, universities and environmental organizations have undertaken extensive and important work on ocean noise.

Over the past decade, the Government of Canada has led or supported at least 300 collaborative ocean noise-related initiatives.

Commitments such as the Oceans Protection Plan and Whales Initiative address ocean noise impacts.

Published case studies highlight regional and national initiatives.

Voiceover: While the problem of ocean noise is not new, there is still much to be done as understanding and managing this issue is complex.

It is important to recognize that Indigenous partners and communities, provinces and territories, industries, universities and environmental organizations have all undertaken extensive and important work on ocean noise, and they continue to do so.

Over the past decade, the Government of Canada has led or supported at least 300 collaborative ocean noise-related initiatives.

Two of these major initiatives, the Oceans Protection Plan and Whales Initiative have contributed to building collective knowledge and addressing ocean noise impacts.

I invite you to read some of the case studies that have been recently published online alongside the draft Ocean Noise Strategy that highlight regional and national initiatives.

Next slide please.

Text on screen: The need for a coordinated and balanced approach to address ocean noise.

The marine economy is an important contributor to the wellbeing of Canadians.

The Government of Canada has key responsibilities for assessing and managing ocean noise.

Efforts to date have often in response to threats to a particular species or driven by the need to assess and manage specific projects.

Ocean noise is a complex problem that requires ongoing learning, adaption, intervention and collaboration.

Voiceover: While the Government of Canada and its partners continue to address many individual ocean noise challenges, there is also an opportunity to complement this work by developing a coordinated and balanced approach to address ocean noise.

To do so effectively, it is important to consider a number of factors.

The marine economy is an important contributor to the wellbeing of Canadians, enabling the transportation of goods to and from other countries, providing nourishing food, and being a source of recreation.

Through various legislation and regulations, including but not limited to the Species At Risk Act, Canada Shipping Act, and Marine Mammal Regulations, the Government of Canada has key responsibilities for assessing and managing ocean noise.

Effective management of ocean noise requires a balance of marine environmental conservation and social and economic considerations.

The Government of Canada, through various programs and initiatives, has made progress in addressing ocean noise. However, efforts to date have often been in response to threats to a particular species or driven by the need to assess and manage specific human activities.

Together with partners and stakeholders, the federal government continues to seek new and innovative solutions to the large and complex problem of ocean noise.

The nature of this issue demands ongoing learning, adaptation, intervention and collaboration.

Next slide please.

Text on screen: Introducing Canada’s Ocean Noise Strategy.

With the goal of undertaking a coordinated approach to address this complex issue, the federal government has developed a draft Ocean Noise Strategy.

The strategy defines the government’s vision and will guide future efforts to address human-generated underwater ocean noise.

Voiceover: With the goal of undertaking a coordinated approach to address this complex issue, we are pleased to introduce this draft Ocean Noise Strategy.

The strategy, which was released on the web on August 23rd 2024, defines the government’s vision and will guide future efforts to address human-generated underwater ocean noise.

While the development of the strategy is led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, this has been a collaborative effort that includes input from a previous consultation on a discussion document in 2021 and is the result of a partnership between 10 federal departments and agencies.

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Text on screen: Purpose.

A comprehensive strategy is required to:

• address the complex and evolving problem of ocean noise
• build on existing work while maximizing the use of knowledge and resources
• support a balance between marine conservation and socio-economic considerations
• coordinate actions
• guide future partnerships to minimize impacts of ocean noise on marine life

Voiceover: The purpose of the draft strategy is to: address the complex and evolving problem of ocean noise; to build on existing work while maximizing the use of knowledge and resources; to support a balance between marine conservation and socio-economic considerations; to coordinate actions; and to guide future partnerships to minimize impacts of ocean noise on marine life.

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Text on screen: Scope.

Canada’s draft Ocean Noise Strategy focuses on:

• marine, coastal and estuarial waters (does not extend to freshwater lakes or rivers)
• policies and desired outcomes that are nationally applicable and allow for regional flexibility for implementation
• domestic actions while emphasizing Canada’s role in international noise-reduction efforts

Voiceover: The strategy is intended to strengthen existing federal and collaborative actions and support future initiatives to better understand and manage ocean noise.

The strategy's geographic scope includes Canadian coastal, offshore marine, and estuarial waters, such as the St. Lawrence Estuary and Saguenay Fjord.

Therefore, the focus of the strategy’s policies and desired outcomes is national, while allowing for local and regional flexibility so that those closest to the issues can adapt and implement appropriate best practices and solutions based on important local and regional contexts.

The strategy also emphasizes Canada’s role in international noise-reduction efforts.

The strategy itself is a policy document and does not prescribe new regulations or targets.

The development of the strategy does not impede the progress of individual initiatives to address ocean noise.

These initiatives continue to move forward, working with partners and stakeholders, and implementing decisions.

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Text on screen: Guiding principles.

• encourage the application of ecosystem-based management approaches
• balance economic development with environmental protection and conservation
• contribute to building renewed nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown and government-to-government relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis
• commit to accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion
• employ a precautionary approach using best available knowledge
• foster transparency and accountability to enhance collaboration and coordination

Voiceover: The Ocean Noise Strategy is guided by six overarching principles that reflect important priorities of the Government of Canada and align with existing legislation and the Government’s domestic and international commitments.

These include:

• Encouraging the application of ecosystem-based management approaches.
• Balancing the pursuit of economic development with environmental protection and conservation for present and future generations.
• Contributing to the Government of Canada’s commitment to build renewed nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown and government-to-government relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis through respect and protection of Indigenous Peoples’ treaty rights and through meaningful consultation. 
• Also, to commit to accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion to ensure that cultures, rights and knowledge systems are respected through the development, consultation and implementation of the strategy.
• To employ a precautionary approach to the development and implementation of recommendations using best-available knowledge.
• And to foster transparency and accountability to enhance collaboration and coordination.

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Text on screen: Strategy themes.

Theme 1: Science, knowledge gathering and innovation. Objective 1: Gather and integrate evidence to address knowledge gaps and develop innovative methods, tools and technologies.

Theme 2: Assessment and management. Objective 2: Enhance collaboration and application of evidence-based tools and technologies to develop and implement clear guidance and management actions.

Theme 3: Communication, coordination and engagement. Objective 3: Strengthen communication, coordination and engagement to raise awareness and increase participation in the management of ocean noise.

Voiceover: The draft strategy is organized around three themes, three objectives and 20 recommendations.

These elements highlight the importance of a coordinated and proactive approach to better understand, manage and minimize ocean noise and its impacts on marine life.

The strategy’s three themes are: science, knowledge gathering, and innovation; assessment and management; and communication, coordination and engagement.

These identify the major subject areas of the strategy and serve as broad foundational pillars.

Each theme has its own action-oriented objective that provides a vision for achieving successful outcomes through specific recommendations.

I will now pass the microphone over to my colleague Neville who will provide an overview of these recommendations.

Voiceover: Thank you Jonathan, and good afternoon everyone.

So to pick up where Jonathan left off, a key component of this draft strategy is a series of 20 recommendations intended to guide and support improved coordination of federal efforts in the areas covered by the three themes and their associated objectives.

Sorry we should be on slide 17 as well – my apologies. Thank you.

Text on screen: Strategy recommendations.

A key component of the draft strategy is a series of recommendations, intended to guide and support federal efforts in the areas covered by the themes and objectives.

Each recommendation is supported by a rationale for its development and a desired outcome.

Voiceover: These recommendations were informed by many different sources, including published literature, feedback from the Ocean Noise Strategy Discussion Document consultations, international best practices, and an analysis of current and past noise-related initiatives led by the federal government and its partners.

The aim of these recommendations is to build on existing work while maximizing the use of knowledge and resources, to coordinate actions, and to guide future partnerships to minimize impacts of ocean noise on marine life.

And to provide some context around these recommendations, each one is paired with a brief rationale that clarifies the reasons behind its development.

The 20 recommendations are also accompanied by a desired outcome to clarify the scope and scale of what successful implementation should look like.

And although each recommendation is linked to a specific theme and objective, some may also be relevant to and support more than one of these three themes and objectives.

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Text on screen: Recommendations under theme 1: Science, knowledge gathering and innovation.

Theme 1 recommendations focus on:

• collaborative ocean noise research to drive innovation and evidence-based decision making
• improving our ability to accurately describe noise characteristics and assessing the impacts on species and populations
• development of innovative tools and guidance to help assess and manage ocean noise
• learning from Indigenous Knowledge holders, local knowledge holders and the scientific community to create comprehensive ocean noise management
• support for technologies and practices to reduce ocean noise, improve monitoring, transform data analysis and standardize data handling

Voiceover: So as you may have seen in the draft strategy itself, the recommendations under the strategy’s science, knowledge gathering, and innovation theme will focus on a number of different areas to help the Government of Canada achieve its associated theme one objective.

For instance, we are recommending enhanced collaborative ocean noise research to drive innovation and evidence-based decision making.

Theme one recommendations also emphasize improving our ability to accurately describe noise characteristics and assessing the impacts on species and populations.

This theme also promotes efforts to develop innovative tools and guidance for assessing and managing ocean noise.

These recommendations also emphasize the importance of learning from Indigenous Knowledge holders, local communities, and the scientific community to develop a holistic approach to understanding and managing ocean noise.

Additionally, those first 10 recommendations also emphasize supporting technologies and practices that reduce ocean noise at source, enhance monitoring, improve data analysis and standardize data handling.

Next slide please.

Text on screen: Recommendations under theme 2: Assessment and management.

Theme 2 recommendations focus on:

• reducing complexity and promoting transparency and consistency in Government of Canada management processes and approaches
• support for Indigenous communities to directly participate in ocean noise management
• development of timely management measures that are aligned with Government of Canada objectives and promote effective evaluation methodologies and adherence
• support of international cooperation and joint initiatives to manage ocean noise

Voiceover: Moving on to the recommendations under the strategy’s assessment and management theme, these seven recommendations prioritize enhancing collaboration and the application of evidence-based tools and technologies to develop and implement clear guidance and management actions, which as you may remember from a couple slide ago, is our objective under theme two.

More specifically, these recommendations will focus on reducing complexity and promoting transparency and consistency in Government of Canada management processes and approaches.

You’ll also see that support for Indigenous communities to lead and participate in planning, information gathering and analysis and decision-making associated with ocean noise management has been proposed.

The development of timely management measures that align with Government of Canada objectives and promote effective evaluation methodologies and adherence will be essential for ensuring long-term sustainability, accountability and the achievement of policy goals.

Finally, support of international cooperation and joint initiatives to address ocean noise across territorial boundaries is being presented as a recommendation to facilitate the creation of more effective and comprehensive management solutions.

Next slide please.

Text on screen: Recommendations under theme 3: Communication, coordination and engagement.

Theme 3 recommendations focus on:

• strengthening coordination and collaboration with partners to build trust and enhance informed decision-making in ocean noise management
• establishing effective information-sharing processes to reduce duplication and improve planning and decision-making
• enhancing awareness and understanding of ocean noise impacts

Voiceover: Theme three has a particular focus on strengthening communication, coordination and engagement to raise awareness and increase participation in the management of ocean noise.

As such, the first of the three recommendations under this theme calls for strengthening coordination and collaboration between the Government of Canada and its partners to build trust and enhance informed decision-making in ocean noise management.

The second recommendation under this theme highlights a need to increase sharing of ocean noise information and knowledge among federal departments and agencies to help reduce duplication and improve planning and decision-making.

The strategy’s final recommendation centers on enhancing awareness and understanding of ocean noise impacts. This can help drive engagement and collective action on the issue, both very essential elements for effectively addressing this evolving stressor.

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Text on screen: Desired outcomes.

Implementing the strategy recommendations will help to:

• identify remaining knowledge gaps
• develop new methods for understanding ocean noise
• further recognize Indigenous knowledge in minimizing ocean noise impacts
• accelerate creative noise reduction approaches
• clarify federal roles and responsibilities
• encourage proactive management of ocean noise
• advance Canadians’ awareness and understanding of ocean noise and its impacts

Voiceover: When you take the time to examine the strategy, you’ll find a desired outcome associated with each of the recommendations.

But what should we observe from these recommendations as a whole as they are implemented?

Taking a step back from the individual recommendations and expanding our perspective to examine the strategy more broadly, we anticipate that the implementation of the recommendations in this strategy will help to further coordinate and integrate collaborative efforts between the Government of Canada and its partners, in order to identify remaining knowledge gaps; to develop new methodologies and processes to better understand and manage ocean noise; and also to further recognize the importance of Indigenous Knowledge and community participation in minimizing ocean noise impacts.

We also consider that the implementation of the recommendations will accelerate the development of creative approaches to reduce ocean noise in the marine environment, with the goal of preventing or reducing negative impacts; to clarify roles and responsibilities; and also to facilitate the potential for proactive approaches to address the uncertainties and challenges associated with effective management of ocean noise.

And finally, implementation of the recommendations will certainly advance Canadians’ awareness and understanding of ocean noise and its impacts on marine life.

Next slide please.

Text on screen: Developing a federal action plan.

To address the strategy’s recommendations, a federal action plan on ocean noise will track implementation and associated actions at the federal level.

This online plan will present a summary of ocean noise initiatives and include timelines and the name of the lead organization(s).

Some actions will come from ongoing initiatives (e.g., Oceans Protection Plan) to maintain priorities, avoid duplication and enhance collaboration.

New actions will originate from public consultation, expert proposals and reviews of international policies and academic research.

Voiceover: To address the strategy’s recommendations, a federal action plan on ocean noise will track implementation and associated actions at the federal level.

The online plan will present a summary of ocean noise initiatives and include timelines and the name of lead organizations.

Some of the actions in the plan will come from ongoing initiatives like the Oceans Protection Plan and Whales Initiative, but also from Species At Risk recovery documents and major projects decisions in the marine environment as an example.

Inclusion of these commitments from these initiatives alongside new ones will ensure that this important ongoing work continues to be prioritized, and that the strategy does not duplicate efforts and that synergies are identified.

These existing commitments will serve as a starting point for shaping and creating future actions that will originate from feedback provided during the public consultation on the draft strategy and its recommendations.

New actions will also come from those proposed by the Government of Canada’s subject-matter experts during the development process for the strategy and through review of recent international policies and academic literature.

Overall, we are anticipating that upon its release, the federal action plan will increase transparency and awareness of the scope of Government initiatives; focus on effective solutions to address ocean noise; certainly create opportunities for collaboration; as well as efficiently identify and address knowledge gaps.

Next slide please.

Text on screen: Consultations: Public comment period.

Publication of the draft Ocean Noise Strategy initiated a 60-day public comment period (August 23 - October 22, 2024).

Canadians are invited to visit DFO’s Open Consultations webpage, read the draft strategy, and complete the questionnaire to prioritize recommendations.

Feedback can also be provided through email and mail.

Voiceover: As a reminder, the publication of the draft Ocean Noise Strategy commenced on August 23 and it initiated a 60-day consultation period which ends on October 22.

Canadians are invited to provide their perspectives on the recommendations by participating in our consultation period through the Fisheries and Oceans’ strategy consultation webpage.

We encourage everyone to read the draft strategy and complete the questionnaire to help us further prioritize and refine the recommendations.

At the same time, there will be interactive engagement and consultation with Indigenous Peoples, other partners and stakeholders.

These opportunities will enable discussions focused on the recommendations and potential actions aimed at achieving the objectives of the strategy.

Input and feedback can also be provided through the Marine Environmental Quality email or via our mailing address.

All this contact information is provided on the strategy consultation page and at the end of this presentation.

Next slide please.

Text on screen: Ocean Noise Strategy next steps.

The final recommendations and first draft of the federal action plan on ocean noise are anticipated to be released in 2025.

Consultation and engagement on the federal action plan will follow.

Voiceover: To take you quickly through some next steps, the final recommendations and first draft of the federal action plan on ocean noise are anticipated to be released in 2025.

Subsequently, there will be consultation and engagement focused on the action plan and its implementation.

These processes will involve seeking input from partners and stakeholders to ensure comprehensive and well-informed decision making.

We believe that through this collaborative and iterative process, we can develop a robust and effective plan that addresses the challenges of ocean noise and ensures the sustainability of our marine ecosystems.

We certainly look forward to your continued participation and support in this important endeavor.

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Text on screen: Make your voice heard!

Please take the time to read the draft Ocean Noise Strategy.

Provide your feedback by visiting Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Open Consultation webpage and completing the survey.

Or send a message to DFO’s Marine Environmental Quality team.

Voiceover: Development of a comprehensive Ocean Noise Strategy and Federal Action Plan is an opportunity to design a coordinated Government agenda, highlight synergies, help reduce duplication of efforts, and provide an additional level of accountability and support for the Government’s direction in addressing ocean noise impacts.

Ultimately, this enhanced knowledge will enable the Government to make better-informed management decisions and take effective actions to safeguard marine ecosystems and their valuable resources for current and future generations.

Your input will help shape the direction of the final Ocean Noise Strategy and Federal Action Plan which in turn will help the Government of Canada achieve is objective to minimize impacts on marine life.

Please take the time you need during our 60-day consultation period to read the Ocean Noise Strategy and provide your feedback by visiting the Fisheries and Oceans’ strategy consultation page and completing the survey.

If you feel the survey doesn’t capture what you’d like to share, please reach out to us with your thoughts via email or by sending your comments by mail.

And now I’ll turn things back to Chrystiane to help take us through our question and answer segment.