A new technique for mapping the spawning sites of Atlantic herring in the UK will help protect fish during the construction of offshore wind farms, according to a report led by the Carbon Trust for the Offshore Renewables Joint industry Programme.
The ‘Impacts on Fish from Piling at Offshore Wind Sites’ study was funded by Vattenfall, Innogy and SSE and undertaken by GoBe Consultants.
It analysed annual fish spawning data in UK waters over the past 10 years to better define and evaluate the potential impacts of noise from building new offshore wind projects.
The report developed techniques and methodology that provide “clearer information” on the areas of spawning and proximity to offshore wind developments.
Using the new methodology in the consenting process could lead to a reduction in construction times, potentially lowering cost to consumers, and reducing operational disruption for offshore wind farms, it added.
Innogy, SSE and Vattenfall said in a joint statement: “This work helps offshore wind developers and regulators plan construction work with confidence and further establishes the importance of working together with subject experts on collaborative projects to progress scientific understanding.”
The study was supported by an expert panel with representatives from the Marine Management Organisation, International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Scottish Natural Heritage and Marine Scotland Science.
Image: reNEWS
Trust spawns fishy insights
By EBS