Comparison of ASW sonar risk assessment and mitigation between six different nation- a report by the SDI ASRM Group
report
In recent years atypical stranding of marine life have created a public interest in military sonar use. In order to maintain this essential military capability, there is a need to ensure that active sonar systems are used in an environmentally responsible way when preparing for operational missions. Although there is NATO environmental protection policy and most NATO naval forces actively consider mitigation actions towards protecting marine mammals, further research has been
necessary in order to ascertain the effects and revise mitigation procedures. NATO established the Active Sonar Risk Mitigation Smart Defence Initiative in 2014 to verify common practices regarding mitigation actions and to recommend a NATO UNCLASSIFIED and public releasable publication regarding procedures. This report completes the first objective of the Initiative, in the benchmarking of 6 nations’ (DNK, DEU, GBR, NLD, NOR, USA) mitigation procedures. The benchmarking involved a comparison of procedures and output against a specified scenario as well as generic policy comparisons. Similarities were noted between nations, including visual observations, planning considerations and the use of Mitigation Action Zones. Also some differences in reporting procedures, personnel qualifications and sonar usage practices were noted. Nonetheless the opportunity now exists to generate revised NATO policy in which to harmonize these procedures and inform the public about efforts that NATO takes to avoid disturbance and disruption to marine life.
necessary in order to ascertain the effects and revise mitigation procedures. NATO established the Active Sonar Risk Mitigation Smart Defence Initiative in 2014 to verify common practices regarding mitigation actions and to recommend a NATO UNCLASSIFIED and public releasable publication regarding procedures. This report completes the first objective of the Initiative, in the benchmarking of 6 nations’ (DNK, DEU, GBR, NLD, NOR, USA) mitigation procedures. The benchmarking involved a comparison of procedures and output against a specified scenario as well as generic policy comparisons. Similarities were noted between nations, including visual observations, planning considerations and the use of Mitigation Action Zones. Also some differences in reporting procedures, personnel qualifications and sonar usage practices were noted. Nonetheless the opportunity now exists to generate revised NATO policy in which to harmonize these procedures and inform the public about efforts that NATO takes to avoid disturbance and disruption to marine life.
TNO Identifier
753948
Publisher
TNO
Collation
122 p.
Place of publication
Delft