This raster dataset represents the input of continuous anthropogenic sound in the European Seas. Continuous anthropogenic underwater noise is found in the entire European marine area and is mainly produced by maritime traffic. As no thresholds for pressure have been agreed yet, even areas of low or infrequent maritime traffic are included as pressures. This dataset uses shipping density as a representation of distribution of continuous underwater noise.

This dataset is based on a truncated version of the EMODnet (Automatic Identification System) AIS based vessel density dataset for 2017 (all ships, year average). The vessel density was rescaled from a 1 km to 10 km resolution (mean values) using the EEA 10 km grid. The dataset has been transformed to a logarithmic scale (ln1).

This dataset has been prepared for the calculation of the combined effect index, produced for the ETC/ICM Report 4/2019 "Multiple pressures and their combined effects in Europe's seas" available on: https://www.eionet.europa.eu/etcs/etc-icm/etc-icm-report-4-2019-multiple-pressures-and-their-combined-effects-in-europes-seas- 1.