NatureScot Commissioned Report 947 - Analysis of the possible displacement of bird and marine mammal species related to the installation and operation of marine energy conversion systems

In 2003, the European Marine Energy Test Centre was set up in Orkney to enable the deployment and testing of wave and tidal energy converters.

Many devices have since been tested at both the Billia Croo wave test site and the Fall of Warness tidal energy test site. Land-based wildlife observations have also been made at both locations at various intervals since 2003.

These observations were made mainly to meet Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Regulations Appraisal requirements for development at the sites. But they also help us to understand how marine renewables activity and wildlife interact.

This study reviews the wildlife recorded at both sites since observations began. It examines how device installation, operation and related activity may affect marine wildlife distribution and abundance. It also considers spatial and temporal variations in relation to wider environmental parameters unrelated to development activity.

Published: 2017
Pages: 339

Document downloads