K A.’s Post

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐝! To start off our 7-year measuring campaign in the planned Ecowende wind farm, we recently finished the first deployment of our custom-built measurement frames. They are equipped with all sorts of instruments that will collect large amounts of data, which will be used to learn more about the ecological impact of offshore wind farms: during installation, and also during operation. Placing the frames on the seabed has been an exciting step in the collection of data that ultimately gives us a better understanding of the natural environment.

This work by Ecowende (where HUB Ocean are partners) is an excellent example of how advanced technology can be used to gather valuable unstructured data and process it into decision-support information. The deployment of PAM stations on the seabed will provide crucial insights into the behavior of harbour porpoises 🐬, allowing for more informed decisions regarding marine biodiversity. However, it’s equally important to ensure that sufficient benchmark data is collected to quantify the impact on biodiversity when new areas of the ocean are dedicated to human infrastructure. This will help in balancing the need for renewable energy with the preservation of marine ecosystems 🌎

An artificial reef study for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management was conducted to evaluate using specialized materials for cable scour protection that attracts native fish. The preliminary study was conducted by CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. https://lnkd.in/eha9whqD #offshorewind #fishing #energy #wildlife

(archive: 2010) Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee Recommendations #USA: The Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee (Committee) was established in 2007 under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) on developing effective measures to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife and their habitats related to land-based wind energy projects. The USFWS chairs the Committee, which includes 22 members representing governments, wildlife conservation organizations, and the wind industry. This Committee’s recommendations to the Secretary (Guidelines) contain the Committee’s advice regarding policy . . . #windpower #windenergy

With limited availability of robust data regarding impacts, the offshore wind industry uses the precautionary principle in its approach to protecting seabirds. The Carbon Trust, in collaboration with ORJIP partners, is on a mission to actively review, update, and create empirical data on the environmental impacts of offshore wind. This data will lead to a faster and clearer consenting process, streamlining a key aspect of offshore wind development.    The latest ORJIP project, ‘Improving methods for apportioning seabirds seen at sea both in the breeding season and non-breeding season’ (AppSAS), focuses on improving methods for estimating the origin of seabirds during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Apportioning is crucial for offshore wind consenting, where understanding whether seabirds originate from protected colonies is paramount. Discover the new tool developed by the project for apportioning auk species in the breeding season ➡️ https://lnkd.in/emJKC-Ri   #OffshoreWind #OffshoreWindIndustry #ORJIP #Seabirds

Commercial Fishing Industrialized Oceans Long Before Offshore Wind Burning of fossil fuels is a far greater threat to industry than turbines. The article from ecoRI News highlights that commercial fishing has long industrialized the oceans, notably through practices like bottom trawling, which devastates marine ecosystems by dragging heavy nets across the seafloor. This method captures target species and results in significant bycatch and habitat destruction. The piece argues that the commercial fishing industry’s concerns about offshore wind farms industrializing the ocean overlook the extensive impact their practices have had over centuries. It emphasizes that burning fossil fuels poses a far greater threat to marine environments and the fishing industry than offshore wind energy development. #sustainability #fossilfuels #renewableenergy #windenergy https://lnkd.in/ex5mMJT6

#Artificialreefs in #offshore #windfarms seem to be beneficial for #cod. Cod seem to be attracted by the reefs and even stay there for longer periods of time, more so than with conventional #erosionprotection. This is according to a from a #study by Wageningen University & Research in Ørsted's Borssele 1&2 #offshorewind farm. https://lnkd.in/euQ59C4a

Check out this insightful Scientific American article exploring the potential of turning offshore oil rigs into artificial reefs! For decades, these towering structures have unintentionally served as thriving habitats for marine life, fostering biodiversity in areas where natural reefs are scarce. The conversation around #RigstoReefs is more relevant than ever, balancing environmental benefits with the complexities of policy, public perception, and sustainable decommissioning practices. #ConservationInnovation #MarineEcosystems #Sustainability #RigstoReefs

Here is a balanced review on offshore wind energy and its impact on the ecology and environment. The general conclusion is that offshore wind could actually be beneficial for the environment, if for no other reason that it doesn't lead to the burning of fossil fuels. https://lnkd.in/gM3vh2mK

💡 Ecology Insights: PAM network 💡 There is still plenty to learn about harbour porpoises in the North Sea. We know that harbour porpoises are easily disturbed by noise, but we are unsure what the specific behavioural changes associated with this disturbance are and how long these changes will last. The better we understand the harbour porpoise and its habitat, the better we can take this into account. This is why we want to thoroughly monitor and research the harbour porpoises, together with scientists. One of the measures is our PAM (passive acoustic monitoring) network. We will deploy this network for 7 years, with 14 measuring stations both inside and outside the wind farm. Earlier this month we installed the PAM network offshore, so we can start monitoring prior to the construction of our wind farm to perform a baseline measurement. Luitze Perk, CEO at WaterProof Marine Consultancy & Services B.V. “This is really a special project, because we are building an enormous data set.” Pauline Roos, Marine Ecologist at Ecowende adds: “What we hope to learn from the research is how harbour porpoises behave before, during and after the construction of the wind farm.” 📹 Watch the video to learn more. #teamingupwithnature #offshorewind #harbourporpoises #scientificresearch Shell, Eneco, Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.