The IOGP E&P Sound and Marine Life Joint Industry Programme — an international research programme to fill key data gaps

The potential impact of sound on marine life is one of the most important environmental issues faced by the oil and gas industry, which must be managed to avoid business impacts. Over recent years, there has been an expansion in regulatory and societal focus regarding sound sources, species of concern and categories of impacts of marine sound. Initially, the main concern was possible injury of marine mammals thought to be caused by seismic surveys. Now, impacts of other sound sources, such as drilling, vessel movement, pile driving, etc. are considered and are increasingly regulated. Additionally, there is growing concern over potential impacts on turtles, fish, fisheries, invertebrates (e.g. lobster and scallops), and more recently even fish eggs and plankton.