Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) for offshore renewable development have identified a need to evaluate potential interactions between offshore renewables and marine wildlife as a matter of priority so that appropriate mitigation can be investigated and applied.
Concerns with respect to the potential impact of tidal turbines on marine mammals have been raised with focus on the potential for mortality or injury through collision, the ability of marine mammals to take avoiding action, and possible displacement effects from key habitats.
To evaluate these risks there is a clear need to improve understanding about how animals perceive and respond to devices and how these responses affect their behaviour and distribution in the marine environment.
This is why the Scottish Ministers acting through the Scottish Government, Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services, are looking for contractor to conduct marine environmental assessments.
Press release, January 24, 2014; Image: sams