Underwater Noise Levels in the Coastal Waters of Poland and Malta: Reviewing the Known Impact on Organisms

Underwater noise is legally recognized in the European Union as a pollutant of the marine environment. An increasing number of countries are initiating monitoring programs to study the levels of underwater noise. There is a need to compare these levels as well as share experience in order to forecast possible monitoring difficulties. This article shows that levels of underwater noise in the Baltic Sea (Poland) and in the Mediterranean Sea (Malta) were similar in the given monitoring periods as were the issues met during work. The article also presents a summary of the studied impact of underwater noise on organisms found in both localities. Based on the analysis, it can be deduced that species living in both localities can be negatively affected by the present noise. Actions are required to control and minimize underwater noise in both places. Although there are studies showing impacts of noise on aquatic organisms, there is still a lot of data missing. Dedicated programs should be created to make it possible for stakeholders (e.g. scientists, students) to get involved in addressing this issue. A database on the underwater noise levels and the resulting influence on the marine environment could be a useful tool to improve regulations and work practice.