Turning Scientific Knowledge into Regulation: Effective Measures for Noise Mitigation of Pile Driving

Pile driving is one of the most intense anthropogenic noise sources in marine environment. Each foundation pile may require up to a several thousand strokes high hammer energy be driven embedded depth. Scientific evidence shows that effects on environment have anticipated if mitigation measures are not applied. Effective prevent and reduce impact should therefore part regulation. The role regulators demonstrate assess applicability, efficiency effectiveness measures. This requires both, scientific knowledge impacts consideration normative aspects mitigation. establishment procedures plans approvals granted by regulatory agencies includes stages. Here, we outline step-wise approach which actions described performed simultaneously. Potential include appropriate maritime spatial planning avoid conflicts with nature conservation, site development for offshore wind farms undesirable activities time space, coordination cumulative effects, application technical abatement systems at source. To increase acceptance applications, fulfil number requirements: (a) they applicable affordable, (b) state-of-the-art or least advanced development, (c) their can assessed standardised procedures. In this study, applied recently farm construction projects German North Sea explained discussed regard regulation framework, including impulsive noise.