Following on from our June newsletter about sharks and rays finding refuge at offshore wind farms, a timely article caught the team’s eye this week.
Ireland is actively checking underwater noise and its effects on marine life – with the launch of IMAP.
What is IMAP?
Irish Marine Acoustics Platform (IMAP) is a landmark initiative designed to monitor underwater noise and protect marine ecosystems while advancing the country’s renewable energy objectives.
Why this matters for HSEQ-360 Limited:
- Comprehensive monitoring: IMAP involves deploying hydrophones across Irish coastal waters to gather data on ambient sound levels throughout the year. This supports robust environmental risk assessments, aligning with HSEQ-360’s commitment to informed, data-driven health, safety, environmental, and quality practices.
- Balanced development: by combining scientific data with strategic planning, IMAP enables offshore wind developers to meet climate goals while protecting marine biodiversity; a principle at the core of HSEQ-360 Limited’s services.
- Benchmarking and consistency: the project runs until December 2028 and will produce a national underwater acoustic baseline, allowing developers to align with consistent standards and meet international HSE expectations.
Industry perspectives:
Gerry Sutton, IMAP Project Lead at University College Cork, stated:
“This acoustic baseline project will help ensure Ireland’s green energy transition doesn’t come at the cost of our marine ecosystems.”
Kerrie Sheehan of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland added:
“SEAI is pleased to support this project, which aligns with Ireland’s ambitious goals… to meet government targets for 2030 and 2050.”
What the programme involves:
- Hydrophone deployment: strategically positioned along the coast to monitor underwater noise in areas targeted for offshore wind development.
- Data and analytics: using advanced acoustic modelling, IMAP provides a digital framework for understanding noise profiles and potential ecological impacts.
- Baseline creation: by 2028, IMAP will deliver a comprehensive underwater noise benchmark to inform regulatory and operational decision-making.
Strategic insights for HSEQ-360 Limited’s clients:
- Environmental leadership: projects that integrate underwater acoustic monitoring can reduce impacts on marine life and elevate sustainability credentials.
- Regulatory compliance: use IMAP’s data and framework as a guide for developing best-practice noise management plans.
- Risk reduction: adopting proactive environmental measures improves stakeholder confidence and project resilience.
In summary
Ireland’s IMAP initiative is a timely and strategic move that blends environmental integrity with renewable energy expansion. For HSEQ-360 Limited and its clients, it reinforces the importance of embedding sound monitoring and ecological safeguards into every phase of offshore development.
HSEQ-360 Limited supports organisations in offshore and marine sectors with risk assessments, environmental planning, and HSE compliance services tailored to emerging standards like IMAP.
Contact us today to discuss how we can help integrate best-in-class monitoring, reporting, and mitigation strategies into your offshore projects.
