An evaluative snapshot of the marine soundscape for Malta : a steppingstone towards achieving 'good ecological status'

Abstract

The lack of data on continuous, low-frequency underwater noise pollution arising from shipping activity is the primary underlying inhibitor of achieving the principal objective of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in achieving 'Good Ecological Status' across European waters. With the projected increase in shipping activity, the blue economy, and subsequently, underwater noise pollution into the marine soundscape, marine fauna will endure exacerbated behavioural and physiological implications brought by the masking effect of anthropogenically-induced underwater frequencies over those utilised for marine life communication, thus threatening their survival. The complete absence of a regulatory framework addressing low frequency underwater noise pollution in Malta has led to the failure of meeting the MSFD's goal by 2020. This research utilises digital signal processing and the use of data from Automatic Information Systems (AIS) to provide a preliminary groundwork on the national marine soundscape by analysing snapshots of audio data collected from Ċirkewwa and the Valletta Grand Harbour between 2020 and 2022. This local data is then compared with that from similar works conducted in the Gulfs of Catania and Gdańsk for enhanced context. The resultant noisy marine environment recorded from both sites further instils the urgency for the generation of a comprehensive regulatory framework to alleviate low frequency underwater noise pollution in Maltese coastal waters.