LIFE QuietWaters

 

2026-2030

Towards regionally coordinated actions to reduce underwater noise emissions from existing and future recreational crafts in the Baltic Sea.

 

OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT

 

LIFE QuietWaters aims to support the reduction of underwater noise pollution from existing and future recreational crafts in the Baltic Sea, contributing to the EU’s efforts to achieve Good Environmental Status in marine waters, specifically addressing Descriptor 11 (C2) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and supporting an ecosystem-based Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP).


Through baseline assessments, assessing technical solutions and technological innovations, pilot studies, stakeholder engagement,

 

policy advocacy, capacity building, and awareness-raising activities, the project brings together an inter- and transdisciplinary consortium of research institutions, civil society, industry representatives, and national agencies to tackle the issue from multiple perspectives.

It also supports the implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP), the Regional Action Plan on Underwater Noise (RAP Noise) and the EUSBSR Action Plan, paving the way for a quieter, healthier Baltic Sea.


LIFE QUIETWATERS PROJECT IN A NUTSHELL

What is the main goal of the Project?

The LIFE QuietWaters project tackles a growing but still largely unregulated pressure on the Baltic Sea: underwater noise from recreational boats.


Underwater noise can harm marine biodiversity, especially noise-sensitive species, causing anatomical, physiological and behavioural changes. This pressure is concentrated in shallow coastal waters, which are often among the most valuable areas for biodiversity.


Although EU policy frameworks recognise the issue, practical implementation and regional action remain limited, and the problem is still understudied.


QuietWaters aims to bridge this gap by fostering regionally coordinated action to reduce underwater noise from both existing and future recreational boats in the Baltic Sea.

How the project is implemented?

LIFE QuietWaters works towards five specific objectives:


  1. Regional coordination: foster collaboration across the Baltic Sea region to support effective implementation of strategies to reduce underwater noise from recreational boats.
  2. Shared knowledge: develop a harmonised framework and generate new knowledge on underwater noise from recreational boats and its impacts on biodiversity.
  3. Testing solutions: develop noise mitigation measures and evaluate their benefits at pilot sites through noise mapping and impact assessments, leading to tailored recommendations for each site.
  4. Engagement and awareness: strengthen engagement with EU, Baltic Sea and local stakeholders and policymakers, and raise public awareness of the issue.
  5. Lasting results: ensure that the project’s results are sustained, replicated and put to use beyond the project’s lifetime.

What is the expected impact?

LIFE QuietWaters will help make the Baltic Sea quieter and healthier by turning recognition of the problem into concrete action.


During the project:

  • Innovative solutions to reduce underwater noise from recreational crafts are tested and promoted.
  • The effectiveness of technological, operational and technical mitigation strategies is demonstrated and quantified at the pilot sites.
  • Scientific evidence and modelling tools inform the co-development of mitigation strategies and recommendations.
  • Noise and biological impact assessments are developed for Baltic Sea priority areas with intense recreational-craft traffic.
  • Understanding of noise sources and comparability of assessments are increased.
  • Capacities are increased and technical expertise is balanced across the consortium through a common framework.
  • Project results contribute to and support EU and Baltic Sea policies and strategies.
  • Inputs and project results are delivered to EU and Baltic Sea policy groups.
  • Collaborative platforms are in place for stakeholder engagement and co-creation.
  • Awareness of the environmental impacts of underwater noise from recreational crafts is raised among local stakeholders and the public.
  • Networking and collaboration with other EU projects are achieved.
  • Replication and exploitation strategies are developed and shared with key stakeholder groups.

Five years after the project ends:

  • Quieter waters: lower underwater noise levels reduce disturbance to marine life and support progress towards Good Environmental Status.
  • Quieter boating: the boating industry and marinas offer noise-reducing technologies and solutions.
  • Boat owners on board: boat owners widely use the RECRAFT app to measure and reduce their crafts’ underwater noise.
  • Better planning: noise mapping tools and mitigation strategies are built into maritime spatial planning and the management of protected areas.
  • Regional action: coordinated actions across the Baltic Sea build on QuietWaters’ evidence and frameworks.

For more information:

 

CCB Secretariat: secretariat (at) ccb.se    

LIFE QuietWaters is co-funded by:

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