Global Partnership for Mitigation of Underwater Noise from Shipping (GloNoise Partnership) To establish a truly global partnership to engage and assist developing countries to raise awareness, build capacity, define baselines and promote international policy dialogue on the mitigation of underwater noise from shipping. Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency. With the emphasis on building capacities in developing countries to assess and mitigate the impacts of underwater noise from shipping, the main socioeconomic benefit is the resulting increased human capital. The increase in human capital regarding marine ecosystem sensitivities to noise will deepen the appreciation and understanding of natural resources under management by developing countries. The project will also better enable stakeholders from developing countries to be more meaningfully involved in regional and global dialogues and to make science-based contributions to decision-making processes on regulatory, technological and other conservation management measures. This involvement also extends to women professionals, as resources under Component 2 are allocated or strengthening capacities of women, advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment objectives.    The strengthened capacities, increased awareness and more effective stakeholder collaboration catalysed through the Global Strategic Partnership are expected to contribute to increased attention and mitigation of the impacts of underwater noise from shipping. The resulting socioeconomic benefits would extend both to the fisheries and tourism sectors. Research has indicated that anthropogenic underwater noise has the potential to impact fishery resources directly via displacement of fish from important habitats. But it is also possible that noise has ecosystem impacts affecting lower trophic levels such as invertebrates on which fish prey (see Popper et al. 2020). Reducing pressure from anthropogenic noise including those from ships could alleviate ecosystem impacts and lead to an increase or recovery of fishery resources which would ultimately benefit the fisheries sector. This could be critically important to artisanal fishers in developing countries who have limited ability to adapt to changing fish stock locations. Beyond the fishing industry itself, reduction of low-cost protein access could negatively impact nutrition needs and caloric intake for those living on subsistence wages.    In many parts of the world, eco-tourism, including whale-watching, is on the rise (Cisneros-Montemayor et al. 2010). Reducing pressures from shipping and other noise emitters would likely lead to beneficial impacts on whale populations such as increased habitat use of previously heavily noise polluted areas and population growth, which in turn could directly benefit eco-tourism in the form of whale-watching. Reduction of underwater noise could also benefit the recreational diving sector as studies have shown that human divers can be affected by underwater noise too. Effects can range from aversion to injury (Anthony et al. 2009). There is a growing body of knowledge on the impacts of underwater noise from shipping on marine fauna, including sea turtles. For example, it is known that sea turtles are sensitive to noise below the 1000 Hz similar to the range of vessel motors.[1] The type of ecotourism oriented on sighting of species, like sea turtles, provides a sustainable alternative to other, more destructive activities, and the positive externality includes promoting a country’s environmental, economic and social development in areas where these species exist.    With respect to climate change adaptation benefits, the project contributes to building the knowledge base on best practices for mitigating the impacts of underwater noise from shipping. Commercial shipping is expected to adjust to changes brought about by the effects of climate change. For instance, further loss of sea ice in the Arctic opens opportunities for year-round shipping and enhanced access to oil and gas and other resources. Facilitating improved multi-stakeholder dialogue and collaboration, including through the establishment of the Global Strategic Partnership, will help steer formulation of science-based regulatory frameworks to reduce impacts on globally significant biodiversity.          [1] NOAA Fisheries, Sea Turtles in a Sea of Sound, see https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/sea-turtles-sea-sound.