Acoustic pollution in the oceans: The search for legal standards

The introduction of noise into the marine environment may have significant impacts on marine species and ecosystems. This article examines how the existing international legal framework can be used to address this issue. After providing some background information on sound in the marine environment, the relevant global and regional instruments dealing with the protection of the marine environment, marine pollution, and the conservation of marine species and ecosystems are discussed. The analysis suggests that international law already requires states to address various aspects of this issue. A number of instruments and institutions provide an adequate framework to prescribe rules and standards regarding most sources of acoustic pollution.