Current state of knowledge of effects of offshore renewable energy generation devices on marine mammals and research requirements

1 Executive Summary

This report is designed to fulfil requirements MR1 and MR2 within the Marine Mammal Scientific Support Research Programme MMSS/001/11. The report describes the current state of knowledge of effects of offshore renewable energy generators on marine mammals and then identifies a prioritised list of research gaps.

A total of 28 specific research gaps are identified. Of these, 16 are already under investigation to some extent with either active research projects or planned and funded future projects.

The 12 remaining projects have yet to secure funding. These are prioritised but the list of priorities has yet to be agreed with the steering group for the MMSS/001/11. A final project list with agreed priorities will be included in the next update of this report.

In parallel with this study an analysis of research requirements for developing models to identify population consequences of disturbance ( PCOD) has been carried out under the Offshore Renewable Joint Industry Programme ( ORJIP). The results of that analysis will be used to extend the list of research gaps and amend the priorities of specific projects in the next update of this report.