(f) Noise from commercial shipping
The MEPC approved “Guidelines for the reduction of underwater noise from commercial shipping to address adverse impacts on marine life” (IMO, 2014k). As regards future work on this important issue, the Committee invited member States to submit proposals and noted in particular that “a large number of gaps in knowledge remained and no comprehensive assessment of this issue was possible at this stage”. Noting the complexity of the issue, the MEPC also stated that “setting future targets for underwater sound levels emanating from ships was premature and would be difficult to evaluate at this time”. In that respect, “more research was needed, in particular on the measurement and reporting of underwater sound radiating from ships” (IMO, 2014a).