Partnerships

National
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The Interagency Working Group on Ocean Sound and Marine Life (IWG-OSML) is a working group of the National Science and Technology Council Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology, within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The IWG OSML provides NOAA with a standing venue for identification of cross-agency interests and opportunities for capacity development or leveraging towards Strategy goals.
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NOAA works closely with focal programs within other agencies to achieve Strategy objectives, e.g.:
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NOAA is the Implementing Trustee for a restoration project following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill that will reduce whale and dolphin exposure to human caused noise in priority areas of the Gulf of Mexico. This project is in progress engaging multiple partners.
International
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NOAA has been working since 2008 to increase international engagement in quieting commercial ships, bringing the issue to the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization and leading the development of voluntary guidelines in that body in 2014. The US continues to support next steps for this issue at the IMO in partnership with Canada and Australia.
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NOAA is engaged in efforts to support discussions of noise impacts to marine life within the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment Working Group of the Arctic Council, including continuing efforts to understand changes in the influence of noise from ships in region.
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Two projects led or co-led by NOAA are Endorsed Projects of the International Quiet Ocean Experiment, an initiative that shares several scientific objectives with NOAA’s Ocean Noise Strategy.
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NOAA continues to be engaged in the implementation of ocean sound as an Essential Ocean Variable for measurement in the Global Ocean Observing System.
Outreach & Education
The Strategy highlights the importance of developing education and outreach materials to engage the public in understanding the importance of sound to marine life and the effects of human-induced noise in the marine environment.
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NOAA noise outreach materials
- Ocean Noise- Fisheries Overview
- Understanding Sound in the Ocean
- Soundcheck: Ocean Noise
- Ocean Noise Facts
- Listen Up: What You Need to Know About Ocean Noise
- Podcast Blinded by the Noise—Whales and Dolphins in a Noisy Ocean
- Reddit Understanding Ocean Noise
- Sanctuary Soundscapes Web Story Series
- IOOS.us web portal for SanctSound--Coming Soon!!
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NOAA noise education materials
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NOAA-supported education materials