Underwater Anthropogenic Noise Pollution Assessment in Shallow Waters on the South-Eastern Coast of Spain

Anthropogenic noise is a growing threat to marine life due the incrementation of human activity in environment. In Europe, Directive 2008/56/EC European Parliament and Council was published with aim establishing framework for community action field environmental policy. The directive introduces underwater acoustic energy, as detailed Descriptor 11, stipulates that member states should set threshold levels at which good status can be achieved by means long-term monitoring campaigns. This research presents results campaign duration three years port Cartagena located on south-eastern coast Spain, focusing monthly annual variation patterns low-frequency continuous noise. acquired data are classified according source into shipping, other anthropogenic, natural measurements. These groups measurements processed order obtain one-third octave band centered 63 125 Hz, well overall bandwidth unweighted Sound Pressure Level (SPL). analysis shows an increase average 4 3 dB shipping noise, respectively, from 2013 2015. provides accurate values establish achieve recommendations conduct programs regulations control pollution.