Species and Area Protection with Regards to Offshore Wind Farms. Dr. Folchert R. van Dijken

Transcription

1 Species and Area Protection with Regards to Offshore Wind Farms Dr. Folchert R. van Dijken 25 January 2012

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3 Economic activities on the NL Continental shelf Shipping - 260,000 movements - Seaport like Rotterdam, Antwerpen, London and Hamburg Exploitation oil and gas > 130 platforms and > 3500 Km pipelines Sand extraction Nature reserves (Coastal zone en Vlakte van Raan; N2000) Military activity Fishing Recreation and tourism Windfarms - Phase 1 (operational) ± 500 Mw - Phase 2 (permitted) ± 600 Mw - Phase 3 (up til 2020) ± 5000 Mw?? 3

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6 Underwater noise General type of underwater noise Sonar used by the military. This type of sonar is the most damaging to marine mammals but mainly applied in deeper waters, outside the North Sea. Passive sonar is less intense and has far less impact. Sonar used by ships, in order to monitor depth under the hull. Has limited direct impact on fishes but may disorientate; forms a constant source of noise to marine mammals. Echoloding; used by fishing vessels to locate schools of fish. Has limited impact on fishes. Pinger installations, used by fishermen in order to deter marine mammals away from their nets. The measure is meant to reduce the risk of entanglement, but may also deter animals from preferred feeding areas. Shipping noises produced by engine, hull and propeller. The higher tones deter fish. Adds to the general level of noise that may impact especially animals that detect their prey with natural sonar. Explosions used in exploration for oil and gas (seismic surveys). These noises are severe and have a wide range as well. Explosions used in military maneuvers and testing. Locally important. Construction noises especially of pile drivers, such are used to set the foundations for off shore wind mills. Extremely high sound levels, considered to be lethal for marine mammals at close range and audible over many tens of kilometers. 6

7 Reasons for research Management of the North Sea - sustainable use - conservation of areas - protection of sealife EIA for economic activities - among others: wind farms Marine Strategy Framework Directive Natura2000 ASCOBANS Resolutions and Conservation Plans - Adverse Effects of Underwater Noise on Marine Mammals during Offshore Construction Activities for Renewable Energy Production - Conservation Plan of the Harbour Porpoise in the North Sea Increase in the number of stranded Phocoena phocoena 7

8 EIA for Adverse effects of Under Water Noise on Marine Mammals during Offshore Construction Activities Marine renewable energy projects are not allowed in MPA s? Current measures to avoid detrimental effects on seamammals during construction activities at locations outside MPA s - EIA including construction phase - No construction from 1/1 to 1/7 - Research Short list and Follow-up studies 8

9 All too familiar sighting at the Netherlands coast 9

10 Existing network Trade, Consultancy and industry - Facility Management - Construction Firms - Netherlands Wind Energy Association - Wing - Ecofys -Bureau Waardenburg bv Ministries - Infrastructure and Environment - Rijkswaterstaat - Defense NGO s - North Sea Foundation - WWF - EHBZ - Dorsal Fin Foundation Research Institutes - Nioz (KNAW Institute) - Dolfinarium; SOS Dolfijn - Deltares (University Delft) - Imares (University Wageningen) - Naturalis (University Leiden) - Pathological Veterinary Institute (University Utrecht) 10

11 Aerial surveys on Netherlands Continental Shelf Study area with wind farm areas W1 and 2 11

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14 Recommendations in Harbour Porpoise Conservation Plan to ensure the Favourable Preservation Status (1) Controlled use of acoustic devices (not randomly usage; season, time of day, location) Policy measures acoustic disturbance; loud explosive sounds - a precautionary approach to management and regulation - EIA and BACI - Intensify Aerial Surveys and International Coördination - Developing of System of Standards - Establishing License Requirements for Seismic Surveys - International finetuning of recommendations (MSDF, ASCOBANS, OSPAR) 14

15 Recommendations in Harbour Porpoise Conservation Plan to ensure the Favourable Preservation Status (2) with Emphasis on offshore Construction Notify before pile driving the stranding network (EHBZ) Observer scheme before and after Consider alternative construction methods 15

16 Recommendations in Harbour Porpoise Conservation Plan to ensure the Favourable Preservation Status (3) with Emphasis on the Harbour Porpoise General regulation rules; no specific closed areas (MPA s) (it is a highly mobile animal; unlike seals with specific areas) Reduction, simplifying and streamlining existing rules; in consultation with other Ministries (Defense, Infrastructure and Environment) Regulatory enforcement and control compliance existing rules 16

17 Ranges of effects of Sounds 17

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19 Shortlist research on Temporary hearing threshold shifts and recovery (Seamarco) Effects of noise bands on TTS - behavioural effects - maximum TTS - recovery period after 120 min exposure Male harbour porpoise (P. phocoena) Two harbour seals (P. vtulina) 19

20 Measuring effects of pile driving sounds on TTS Low repetition rate pulses Increased frequency up to >150/min -TTS - behavioural responses 20

21 FIG. 7. Mean threshold shift in db (± standard error, n = 5 or 6 sessions per period) measured in a harbor porpoise after he was exposed to an OBN centered at 4 khz at a mean received SPL of (a) 136 db re 1 μpa and (b) 124 db re 1 μpa for 15, 30, 60 and 120 min. 21

22 Follow-up research on underwater noise Policy support research: TTS noise band pulses seals TTS and recovery in harbour porpoises Continuation accomplishing Masterplan Pile driving (pulse) effects on fish larvae (FAMW) Developing Normative Guidelines Seamammals (TTS: behaviour) Loud Mitigation effect (Bird collisions) Marine Strategy Framework Directive Research and Harbour porpoise Conservation Plan Loud acoustics (standards, propagation, sources) Monitoring Distribution 22

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