July 25, 2019 — The proliferation of offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy projects, constructed in response to global concerns about climate change and energy security, have been greeted with caution by marine conservationists, who question their possible detrimental consequences on sea life.
Numerous studies have been undertaken to study the behavioral and physiological effects of noise and electromagnetic fields produced by the alternative energy developments on fish, mammals, and benthic populations, and work is ongoing to develop appropriate solutions to mitigate potential impacts.
In France, a series of studies is underway as part of the three-year SPECIES project, which aims to improve knowledge about the potential interactions between benthic organisms in coastal marine ecosystems and direct electrical connection cables from marine renewable energy projects. The effects of island-continent submarine power connections are also being monitored.
“Impact studies are important to France Energies Marines, as the first commercial off-shore wind farms will soon be up and running here in France, and we need to ensure that they will be accepted,” Mélusine Gaillard, the scientific communication officer for France Energies Marines (FEM), told SeafoodSource. “The current studies will address the direct impacts due to changes in electromagnetic fields and temperature, and indirect impacts such as loss of habitat for commercial benthic species, including lobsters and spider crab.”