High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean
Catalyzing new action to protect and restore the ocean’s soundscapes.
Co-led by the Governments of Panama and Canada, the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean responds to repeated calls to action from global scientific bodies that warn that increasing ocean noise has become a significant threat to ocean health, and urgent action is needed.
The Coalition’s Declaration, signed by each participating country, reflects a shared commitment to turning scientific consensus into political action. It outlines key opportunities—such as advancing new policies to quiet ships, incorporating acoustic protection into marine protected areas, implementing vessel-based noise mitigation measures, and supporting international capacity-building—to restore a quieter ocean.
The ocean is alive with sound—and for marine life, sound is survival. From whales and dolphins to fish and invertebrates, countless species rely on sound to navigate, find food, communicate, reproduce, and avoid predators.
But today, the ocean’s natural soundscapes are being increasingly disrupted by human activity. Underwater noise pollution—primarily from commercial shipping, marine construction, and extractive industries—is rising at an alarming rate. This elevated noise interferes with fundamental life functions, causes stress and disorientation, displaces species from critical habitats, and erodes ecosystem resilience.
Despite clear evidence of harm, efforts to reduce ocean noise have been limited and fragmented.
The High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean seeks to change this trajectory. By bringing together governments that recognize the urgency of the problem, the Coalition aims to elevate ocean noise as a global environmental priority and promote science-based solutions to restore and protect the acoustic integrity of marine ecosystems.
©Loïc Bisoli
“The solutions to reduce ocean noise are within reach. What's needed is the political will to bring them to scale - that is the purpose of the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean.”
-The Honorable Juan Carlos Navarro, Minister of Environment for Panama.
“Ocean noise is a global issue that requires ambitious global cooperation. Through this Coalition, we are demonstrating Canada’s commitment to international leadership on ocean conservation and inviting our partners to join us in restoring a quieter, healthier ocean for future generations—while supporting sustainable economic activity.”
The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport, Canada
The Coalition is open to all countries ready to lead. Members commit to voluntary but ambitious actions outlined in the Declaration. These actions are tailored to national contexts but united by a shared goal of restoring a quieter ocean.
Led by:
Panama
Canada
Current members include:
If your country is interested in joining the Coalition, please contact contact@foraquietocean.org
The Declaration Establishing the High Ambition Coalition for a Quiet Ocean outlines four key opportunities to restore a quieter ocean.
Supported by:
These organizations provide logistical support, share best practices, and facilitate coalition collaboration.