The Southern North Sea (SNS) Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is designated to protect the habitat for harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). However, with increasing activity in region, there is a growing risk that underwater noise (UWN) exceeds levels which are congruent with ensuring Favourable Conservation Status (FCS) of harbour porpoise in the SNS SAC. FCS requires that the long-term viability of the harbour population be maintained: this involves ensuring that the habitat integrity and the species’ resilience are sufficient to maintain a stable or growing population. Recognising the lack of a clear, coordinated framework to manage and avoid exceedances, there is an urgent requirement for a robust coordination and decision-making pathway to be established to manage potential scheduling conflicts and prevent breaches.