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THE SOUND & MARINE LIFE JOINT INDUSTRY PROGRAMME

The Joint Industry Programme (JIP) established in 2006 supports independent, peer-reviewed research to help increase understanding of the effect of sound on marine life, generated by offshore energy activities. This research provides better science, helping governments make regulatory decisions and industry develop effective mitigation strategies. Deliverables of the JIP can be found here. 

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WEATHER
WIND TURBINE
PRODUCTION PLATFORM
SHIP TOWING SEISMIC ARRAY
COMMERCIAL SHIPPING
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS

THE OCEAN

The ocean is filled with a wide variety of natural and anthropogenic sounds generated by shipping, and military sonar amongst others.

SEA TURTLES

SOUND IN THE SEA

Sound travels in different ways in this complex undersea environment and many factors influence what an animal hears.

SEALS

THE SCIENCE

In 2006, a group of international oil and gas companies united their resources to found a research programme with focus on sound and marine life. The initial aim of this programme was to improve understanding of the potential physical and behavioural effects of  sound generated by oil and gas exploration and production on different forms of marine life. Working together with multi-national groups, experts and NGOs, this JIP is the most extensive industry research programme in this field, which has already committed over US$ 55 million to research.

In 2024, the JIP’s vision is to enable healthy, resilient oceans. By increasing our knowledge of how the sound we generate interacts with the ocean ecosystems.

FISH
BALEEN WHALES

OUR RESEARCH

The JIP’s research is divided into five categories – from understanding how sound travels underwater, to the possible effects of sound on marine fauna’s physical and behavioural well-being, to how sound can be mitigated

COLLABORATION

Collaboration is one of the founding principles of the JIP. We have deliberately engaged world-leading scientists to guide our research and ensure that it conforms to the highest standards. The JIP engages with the international community of scientific experts and regulatory agencies. We work with world-leading Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to guide and conduct independent research that conforms to the highest standards of project execution. The JIP ensures transparency and sharing of research findings of projects with SMEs publishing their work via peer-reviewed scientific publications and IOGP reports. Scientists must submit papers to scientific journals and release their data to the public.

INNOVATION

The JIP is working at the cutting edge of research and is pioneering mitigation tools.

The JIP has developed PAMGuard, a software system for detecting the presence of marine mammals near seismic operations that allows operators to shut down to prevent any over exposure. This system is now used worldwide.

NATURAL TECTONIC ACTIVITY

Browse Our Library

The Database allows full flexibility to search for entries by, for example: research category, keyword/topic, organisation or author/Principal Investigator.

It provides access to Project Reports, Peer-Reviewed Publications, Factsheets, Videos and other outputs from JIP-funded, or co-funded, research.

News and Updates

REFERENCES

To find out more about the E&P Sound & Marine Life Programme and its projects please email: info@soundandmarine.org

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