With JASCO among its partners, SATURN seeks solutions to underwater noise
/New project addresses the threat to underwater life exposed to noise from shipping
In response to serious global concerns about the declining health of our oceans, an €8.96 million Horizon 2020 funded project due to start in 2021 represents a significant EU investment that directly supports attainment of targets for a cleaner, quieter maritime sector. Named SATURN, this project initiative is led by MaREI, Science Foundation Ireland’s Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, hosted by University College Cork, and involves a large consortium of EU participants. JASCO Applied Sciences (Deutschland) GmbH, the EU based member company of the namesake global group, is one of the partners in the consortium and the lead organization for one of the project’s work packages.
Previous initiatives have advanced knowledge in relevant themes but worked mostly in isolation. SATURN, which has 20 project partners from 10 European countries, benefits from a uniquely integrated and interdisciplinary approach with acousticians, marine biologists, maritime engineers, and standards bodies working side-by-side and in tandem with a large well-structured group of international stakeholders to create and test innovative solutions for reducing the most harmful effects of underwater noise.
Project lead and MaREI Research Fellow Gerry Sutton said “It is an absolute privilege to be leading such a talented and committed group of scientists and engineers. Everyone put 100% into the proposal, finding common ground by bridging traditional boundaries between their respective disciplines. This means we are now all very much looking forward to the new year when will jointly embark on our exciting four-year work programme.”
SATURN is responding to the present needs of EU citizens and safeguarding these for the future
The unique state-of-the-art technical approach of SATURN offers the European maritime transport sector a leap forward, focusing on reduction and mitigation of shipping noise output on the sound components that are likely to be causing the most harm. By assessing new technologies and providing support for policies to mitigate negative impacts of underwater noise from shipping and water-based transport, SATURN is responding to the present needs of EU citizens, markets and environments and safeguarding these for the future.
Dr. Roberto Racca, Managing Director of JASCO Applied Sciences (Deutschland) and one of the principals of the JASCO Applied Sciences global group, commented “We are delighted to be part of such an exceptional group of European scientific, technical and industrial entities coming together to address a world encompassing environmental issue. JASCO’s forty years of sector-leading experience in the field of underwater noise assessment and mitigation will be put to best use in this endeavour. We are honoured to be heading the work package on standardization that will enable stakeholders to communicate and implement effectively the solutions developed, with the distinguished expertise of Dr. Michael Ainslie ensuring a rigorous and well-coordinated approach.”
Technical findings and breakthroughs that the project hopes to achieve
SATURN will be working towards uncovering the physical mechanisms of underwater noise production, methods for how the noise signature of individual ships can be assessed cost effectively, understanding how marine mammals, fish and invertebrates respond to various sound various levels and frequencies they receive, and real-life case studies to test the effectiveness of technical and operational efforts in reducing shipping noise through smart regional management policies.
SATURN has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101006443.
Photo by Pauhla McGrane
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SATURN Project - Solutions At Underwater Radiated Noise
MaREI - Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine research and innovation
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Dr. Roberto Racca
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JASCO Applied Sciences, Deutschland
M. +1 250 881 4545 and +44 793 762 7080
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