ASOC has been greatly concerned about the impacts on marine life from various sorts of seismic and sonar devices. The global proposal to implement a Low-Frequency Active Sonar (LFAS) by the US and NATO countries is seen as the most harmful technology, but there are many issues to be resolved regarding other types of sonar and seismic devices, including mitigation measures to limit their impacts. ASOC has pressed the Antarctic Treaty System and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) to take action to protect the Southern Ocean.

Acoustic Pollution Documents:

Taking Action on Marine Noise in the Southern Ocean (ASOC Information Paper 80 for XXX ATCM, 2007)

An Update on Recent Noise Pollution Issues (ASOC Information Paper 61 for XXIX ATCM, 2006)

Current Noise Pollution Issues  ( for XXV CCAMLR, 2006)

A Note on the Vulnerability of Cetaceans In Antarctic Waters to Noise Pollution (ASOC Information Paper 59 for XXVIII ATCM, 2005)

Marine Noise Pollution- Mitigation and the Need for Wider Protection (ASOC Information paper for XXIV SC-CAMLR, 2005)

An Update on Some Issues Surrounding Noise Pollution (ASOC Information Paper for XXVII ATCM, 2004) .pdf

Noise Pollution in the Southern Ocean (ASOC Information Paper for XXIII CCAMLR, 2004) .pdf

Marine Acoustic Technology and the Antarctic Environment (ASOC Information Paper, XXVI ATCM, 2003) .pdf

Brief Update on Marine Acoustic Technology and the Antarctic Environment (ASOC Information Paper for XXII CCAMLR, 2003) .doc

For more information on ASOC's Marine Acoustics work, contact Jim Barnes (jimbo0628@mac.com)