**7. Way ahead**

The formulation of way ahead for any crisis is the precise assessment of the degradation. In this case, we may refer as the environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the shipping in the IOR. The author has undertaken two critical work to establish the EIA, specific to this requirement. The first work pertains to the spatiotemporal low-frequency ambient noise mapping in the IOR using automatic identification system (AIS) data for shipping. The spatiotemporal low-frequency ambient noise map provides the precise levels of the anthropogenic noise due to shipping in the IOR. This is the first comprehensive assessment of the noise levels with a qualitative and quantitative description. The quantitative assessment provides the dB levels of anthropogenic noise in the IOR, based on the shipping traffic in the region and also keeping the medium fluctuations into account to make it an authentic in-situ assessment. The qualitative assessment pertains to the spatiotemporal changes based on the varying shipping traffic and the medium fluctuations across the entire region. The dB levels can be updated real time for any applications ranging from policy formulation, local management of the conservation efforts and more. The **Figure 6** provides the spatiotemporal low-frequency ambient noise map for the IOR as discussed [12].

The second work pertains to the real impact assessment of the shipping traffic and some policy decisions pertaining to the security concerns namely the antipiracy measures. The on-ground assessment of the increase in the low-frequency ambient noise levels and the manifestation on the big whales have been presented in the work. The real recordings have been compared with previously reported work to present the precise ground situation and also correlation with the recent stranding incidents in the IOR. A detailed cause and effect assessment along with in-depth analysis has been presented to give a sense of the actual seriousness of the concern. **Figure 7** above gives the recent hike in the stranding in the IOR and how it can be attributed to the increased shipping traffic in the region [10].

The two works above make it amply clear that all is not well, and very urgent steps are required to be initiated, to contain the crisis and manage the larger acoustic habitat degradation issue in the IOR. Given the specific challenges of the IOR—politically, socioeconomically, scientifically and otherwise—it is extremely important that we bring in a framework that addresses the entire issue very comprehensively. The author has been progressing a unique underwater domain awareness

**Figure 6.** *Spatial noise mapping for IOR (noise in dB re 1 μPa 2 ) [12].*

#### **Figure 7.**

*Ambient noise comparison across different sea and Indian Ocean recordings over a decade. Recent data (in red) recorded off the west coast of India closer to the stranding area in 2010 post the anti-piracy measures is compared with recordings a decade earlier [10].*

**Figure 8.** *Comprehensive perspective of undersea domain awareness [29].*

(UDA) framework that could potentially address all the challenges mentioned above. The UDA framework largely addresses the critical issues of pooling of resources and synergizing of efforts across stakeholders to take care of the resource limitations in the developing world and also bring in efficiency and effectiveness. It is completely aligned with the local challenges and strategic vision of the dominant local authorities. **Figure 8** gives a broad overview of the UDA framework as proposed by the author [29].

More specifically, there is a need to initiate an effective URN management plan that comprehensively takes care of all issues pertaining to the problem at large and also the local challenges of the IOR. It is ironical that the acoustic stealth is such a critical component of the military deployment in the underwater domain; however, the same has not percolated to the merchant marine for narrow commercial interests. The stealth technology has seen quantum jump during the Cold War era, and thus the know-how to undertake effective URN management does exist. However, in the absence of statutory regulatory provisions, the commercial shipping industry has managed to avoid these measures. Such actions (aptly described by the "Tyranny of Small Decisions") have brought us to a very critical state of affairs, and urgent measures are now required to save even the human kind. Acoustic habitat
