Methods for tracking fine scale underwater movements of marine mammals around marine tidal devices

8 Appendix 1: Report Remit

Background

Feasibility Study: Methods for tracking the fine scale underwater movements of marine mammals in the vicinity of marine tidal devices.

The Scottish Government has a target for 100% of Scottish demand for electricity to be met from renewables by 2020 creating a balanced portfolio of both onshore and offshore technologies. Offshore renewables have the potential to make a significant contribution to Scottish Government targets for delivery of renewable energy generation. The Scottish Government has the duty to ensure that the development of offshore renewable sectors is achieved in a sustainable manner in the seas around Scotland.

Strategic Environmental Assessments ( SEA) on offshore renewable development has identified a need to evaluate potential interactions between offshore renewables and marine wildlife as a matter of priority so that appropriate mitigation can be investigated and applied. One concern with respect to the impact of tidal turbines on marine mammals is the potential for mortality or injury through collision with rotating turbines and the ability for marine mammals to take avoiding action. To evaluate the risk of such collisions means understanding the fine scale underwater movement of these mammals within the immediate vicinity of tidal turbines.

Existing technologies for tracking underwater movements are variable and include satellite telemetry, passive acoustic monitoring, active sonar and video techniques. Satellite telemetry devices have long been deployed on seals to answer a range of research questions, including how seals use the marine environment, foraging patterns, diving behaviour and temporal/spatial distribution. They have the potential to provide good spatial coverage but are restricted in terms of tracking fine scale underwater movements and, their reliance on being able to predict the movement patterns of individual animals which may rarely enter the areas of interest. Active and passive sonar have been actively employed in areas of tidal development ( e.g., Ramsay Sound, EMEC, Strangford Lough), and when placed within the vicinity of the tidal devices may offer a more appropriate method for direct observations of potential collisions. Video can provide data on movements but may be restricted by limitations on underwater visibility due to local conditions ( e.g., turbidity, light constraints).

The aim of this project is to review current and developing technologies for tracking the fine scale underwater movements of marine mammals in high energy tidal sites, and to test the feasibility of these technologies for direct observation of potential collisions. Possible development of new technologies should also be investigated where current devices may not be applicable.

Objectives

The objectives of the project are:

1. Review all current and developing technologies for tracking the fine scale underwater movement of marine mammals which are applicable to high energy tidal stream sites. The project should cover all options for fine scale tracking of marine mammals, including passive acoustic monitoring, active sonar, video and satellite telemetry devices.

2. Predict the feasibility of these technologies for direct observation of movements and possible collisions in high energy tidal stream environments.

The project will aim to answer the following questions:

• What technologies are current employed, or are in development, which have the ability to track the underwater movement of marine mammals? What are their strengths and limitations?
• Are these technologies fit for purpose and appropriate for tracking animals in high energy tidal sites and at a very local scale? For example, the Sound of Islay, Kylerhea.
• Can these technologies provide fine scale tracking in the vicinity of tidal turbine rotors? What is their sensitivity to describe small scale process (precision of location) and limitations?
• Are certain technologies appropriate to a particular species? Are there different requirements for seals, toothed cetaceans and baleen whales?
• Given the limitations of current seal tags ( i.e., their reliance on the movement patterns of individual animals which may rarely enter areas of interest), are these devices appropriate for tracking movement on such small spatial scales ( e.g., Sound of Islay area)?
• Taking account of the above questions, what current technologies can best provide the required information, or do we need to look at new technological developments?
• Will one technology provide the required information for direct observations of collision for different species groups or do we require a suite of methods?

A detailed case study for the use of such devices in the Sound of Islay for seals should be included.

Approach

It is anticipated that the successful contractor will develop the proposal in line with the aims and objectives of the project and the wider policy requirements. As a minimum, it is anticipated that the methodology would consist of the following research tasks:

• A desk study comprising a literature and data review into current technologies or proposed new technologies looking at the (fine scale) underwater movement of marine mammals. The review should include consideration of whether these technologies are appropriate for very localised studies at high tidal energy sites. Consideration of the practicalities of each technology for seals, toothed cetaceans and baleen whales should be considered.
• Utilising the information gained at the literature and date review stage, suggest practical and viable options for tracking the underwater movements of marine mammals.
• A case study for the most appropriate technology for the fine scale tracking of seals around turbines in the Sound of Islay should be included.
• Close liaison with experts in this research area ( e.g., marine mammal behaviour) to ascertain that the respective methodologies meet requirements in terms of direct observations of mortality or injury is encouraged.
• The contractor is encouraged to expand and develop their ideas based on the information presented here to fulfil the project requirements in an optimum and cost effective manner.

Outputs

The contractor will be expected to provide the Scottish Government with the following outputs:

• A report which provides a detailed view of the current capabilities of existing and developing technologies to monitor fine scale underwater movement of marine mammals, taking account of existing ongoing work in this area. The respective strengths and limitations of the technologies, including their applicability to a range of tidal device areas, should be included.
• The feasibility of these technologies, or a combination of them, to answer questions on whether marine mammals will interact with turbine rotors and their ability to take avoidance action.
• The final written report should contain an executive summary, data reporting, background methodologies, conclusions and recommendations. Four copies of the draft and final reports should be supplied in hard copy and a disc copy of the final version in a format compatible with Microsoft Word. Potential contractors should indicate in their tender who will have the main responsibility for writing the report.
• A research summary. This should be a 2-4 page summary of the main findings of the research and should be produced separately from the final report. This summary should not be simply a bulleted version of the points in the main report, but should be a wider look at what the findings mean in a wider policy context and may be edited by the Scottish Government.
• The contractor will be expected to engage in a close working relationship with Marine Scotland Science, and the MS Renewables Team in order to promote discussion of project goals and their delivery. Engagement with the Sea Mammal Research Unit, DECC, EMEC and other parties involved in this field is critical.