Stage 1 overview
Stage 1 of ORJIP Offshore Wind was set up in 2012 by the UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS - previously DECC), The Crown Estate, Marine Scotland and 16 offshore wind developers. The programme invested over £1.8million into four key research projects. Major studies included an investigation into the efficacy of Acoustic Deterrent Devices on different marine mammals and a pioneering, two-year study to record and quantify the avoidance behaviour of seabirds around offshore wind farms. This stage of the programme made a significant contribution to the evidence base around the impact of offshore wind on marine life, which has allowed for more informed consenting decisions to be made.Stage 1 partners
Bird Collision Avoidance Study
The ORJIP Bird Collision Avoidance Study aims to use innovative methodologies to understand how birds interact with offshore wind farms to provide a robust evidence baseFull report
Efficacy of Acoustic Deterrent Devices
ORJIP carried out a two phase project to investigate and understand the efficacy of mitigation methods that could deter mammals from an offshore wind construction site and in turn, protect them from piling noise. During the construction of wind farms, turbine foundations are driven into the seabed using a hydraulic hammer which generates significant levels of underwater sound. At close range this could potentially be harmful to a number of marine mammals. Currently if a marine mammal is detected close to an offshore wind construction site this delays piling until it is deemed that there are no longer marine mammals within the predefined injury zone. The current method for detecting the mammals is by using marine mammals observers posted offshore, or passive acoustic monitoring. These methods of detection are restricted by sea roughness and daylight hours meaning that visual and acoustic mitigation has limitations.Phase 1
Acoustic deterrent devices could enable exclusion zones to be created around the turbine helping to actively mitigate any harmful impact, thus avoiding the need to spot marine mammals from the sea surface and increase certainty that marine mammals are protected when operating in deep water conditions where visibility can be poor.- Deterrence in offshore environments
- Long term responses to deterrence
- Flexibility of effective range
Outputs
Phase 2
Stage one
This phase focused on Harbour porpoise, Grey seal and Harbour seal. A literature review gathered evidence on the effectiveness of acoustic deterrent devices using existing evidence.
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Stage two
ORJIP commissioned RPS and Marine Conservation Research to carry out in-field testing on the efficacy of acoustic deterrent devices on Minke whale to provide recommendations on their use during construction. Recommendations on the use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) in the offshore wind industry have been made to inform government guidance on mitigating injury to marine mammals.
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New research builds confidence in wider use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (Dec 2017) ....
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Understanding the Effectiveness of Acoustic Deterrent Devices on Minke Whale
Impacts on fish from piling at offshore wind sites
A study to improve understanding and acceptance of the risk of offshore wind construction on fish spawning grounds. Offshore wind construction activities, such as pile driving, generate noise which can disturb marine life. Due to potential impacts, restrictions and conditions are placed on UK offshore renewables developers during their construction activities when marine mammals and fish are considered to be most vulnerable to disturbance, such as during spawning and migration. It is important to ensure that the established controls are appropriately formulated to deliver a protection benefit without unnecessarily burdening development. The ORJIP ‘Impacts on Fish from Piling at Offshore Wind Sites’ project analysed annual fish spawning data in UK waters over the past 10 years to better define fish spawning grounds and to evaluate the potential impacts of new offshore wind sites on Atlantic herring and other fish. The main spawning sites for the different Atlantic herring stocks in UK waters are well known. However, due to the specific habitat and environmental conditions that herring need to spawn successfully, there are discrete pockets of spawning bed areas that are less easy to identify as they can change from year to year. Currently the exact location of spawning beds can only be identified if they are recorded through grab sampling or by drop down video surveys. This study aims to address the uncertainty of the accuracy of fish spawning information and the impacts of piling activity on fish species.The objectives of the study were:
- Review and consolidate available data and information to define (where possible) UK populations, spawning areas, and periods for key species of concern.
- Identify any gaps in our understanding of fish populations, spawning areas and periods.
- Define and gain acceptance with consenting authorities and experts on fish populations, spawning areas and periods.
- Discuss and understand how the current mitigation approaches are agreed by consenting authorities with the aim to understand what is required to support a change in construction restrictions.