Fish and fisheries research to inform ScotMER evidence gaps and future strategic research in the UK: review

This study undertook a literature review and consultation with key stakeholders to establish current knowledge for evidence gaps identified in the ScotMER Fish and Fisheries evidence map. This report includes research recommendations to help fill remaining strategic priority gaps.


Evidence Gap FF.15: Chemical/toxicity effects

Review of current knowledge

Little attention has been given to aspects relating to the potential chemical emissions from corrosion protection systems associated with MRE offshore structures to date. As the industry expands, however, interest has grown to better understand this issue. Recent progress on this topic is summarised below:

  • Preliminary studies undertaken around offshore wind farms in the Belgian part of the North Sea in which the concentration of Zn was measured, found no evidence of higher Zn levels in the wind farms than in reference areas. It was highlighted, however, that more extensive research was needed to validate the results (Degraer et al 2019).
  • Recent investigations on galvanic anode materials used in corrosion protection systems (Reese et al 2020) have found that toxicologically relevant elements such as Zn, Cd and Pb are emitted during the lifetime of galvanic anodes and that depending on chemical behaviour in the solution phase, these will be transported via the water body or associated with suspended particulate matter and subsequently deposited on the sediment in the proximity of MRE sites.
  • Research focused on the study of chemical emissions from offshore wind farms and their potential impact on the environment is currently on-going as part of project funded by the German Federal Maritime Hydrographic Agency (BSH). The project is focused on the following aspects: identification of potential organic and inorganic substances emitted from corrosion protection of offshore wind farms; development of analytical methods and sampling strategies to determine emissions; and evaluation of the relevance of the identified pollutants and their influence on the local and regional environment (HZG 2021).

There is no clear evidence of negative impacts as a result of corrosion protection systems on the marine environment, however, there is a need to improve our knowledge to understand its effects. Available data is scarce and makes assessing the impact of the emissions on the marine environment difficult. In addition, whilst chemical emissions from MRE infrastructure are probably low compared to other offshore activities, they may become more important as the industry continues to grow (Kirchgeorg et al 2018).

Next steps in research

Taking account of the findings of the literature review presented above in respect of "Evidence Gap FF.13 Chemical/toxicity effects", the following next steps in research have been identified to help address current knowledge gaps:

  • Monitoring of corrosion protection systems and chemical emissions associated with operational wind farms in the UK; and

Research on potential environmental impacts, including bioaccumulation of heavy metals within the food chain.

Recommendations

Table 5 and Table 6 outline recommendations for future research for fish and fisheries related aspects, respectively. These include information on the evidence gaps for which the proposed research is of relevance, the feasibility and challenges associated with the undertaking of the research and an indication of potential collaborators.

In addition, priority rankings of "high" "medium" and "low", have been assigned to the various research recommendations. The criteria used for assigning priority are outlined below:

  • High Priority: Research is critical to reduce consenting risks and uncertainty and would facilitate the undertaking of more robust impact assessments and address key stakeholder's concerns.
  • Medium Priority: Existing evidence suggests limited potential for major impacts. The research undertaken to date, however, is limited or may not fully account for the current level of proposed MRE development and/or upcoming technologies/project designs. Additional, more focused research, would increase certainty in the accuracy of assessments undertaken and reduce stakeholder's concerns.
  • Low Priority: Significant concerns have not been raised to date on the particular aspect that the research may address and/or the topic is not a key consenting risk. Limited research has been undertaken on the subject to date and further investigation would improve our ability to identify potential for negative interactions with fish and fisheries receptors.

With regard to evidence gaps relating to fish receptors, key recommendations relate to improving our understanding of the impact of operational wind farms on fish and shellfish through the implementation of strategic research in operational sites. In addition, the undertaking of further research to address knowledge gaps associated with underwater noise and its effect on fish and shellfish species, as well as the development of mapping tools on essential habitat (including spawning grounds) are also considered priority aspects to reduce consenting risks and uncertainty in relation to the assessment of impacts of MRE projects (Table 5).

In the case of commercial fisheries, key recommendations relate to improving access to fisheries data and the format in which data are made available, the development of detailed assessment guidelines and the undertaking of research to allow the assessment of the displacement effects at a strategic level. In addition, the undertaking of trials to demonstrate the viability of fishing within operational sites, as well as the development of technical guidance on wind farm design and its compatibility with fishing, are considered critical to reduce consenting risks and uncertainty in relation to commercial fisheries receptors (Table 6).

As shown in Table 5 and Table 6, most of the individual research recommendations made are expected to contribute to addressing aspects which are of relevance to more than one evidence gap. It is therefore recommended that when defining future detailed research proposals to address evidence gaps, their inter-dependences are given due consideration.

Table 5 Recommendations for Future Research – Fish
Research Evidence Gap (s) Feasibility Challenges Collaborations Priority
Strategic monitoring programme of fish and shellfish populations in UK offshore wind farms FF.07 Electromagnetic Fields FF.11 Reef/fish aggregation effects Field-based studies. 3-5 year project. Careful design required to ensure that effects from wind farms can be accurately differentiated from other factors that can affect fish and shellfish populations (i.e. reduction in fishing activity associated with construction works and operation, natural variation, etc). Would require scoping for representative sites across regions in advance. Requires co-operation by the developer to access sites. Multiple work packages required to address different research questions: investigations in relation to reef/fish aggregation effects would require monitoring at the fish assemblage level; monitoring in relation to EMF would likely need to be focused on limited number of key selected species (which may vary on a site specific basis). Anticipated to be driven by government and delivered with support from developers. Potential for extending this research programme to be integrated with monitoring of other receptors (benthic, ornithology, marine mammals) to provide information on potential ecosystem level effects. High
Compilation of available data sources to aid the mapping of EFH for key species (including commercial shellfish species) FF.09: Accurate spatial-temporal patterns of spawning activity. FF.10: Essential Fish Habitat FF.13: Cumulative pressures and impacts. Desktop-based study with significant engagement with stakeholders and government agencies. 1 year project Data and Information of relevance (fish surveys, stock assessments, sediment data, egg, larval and juvenile fish distribution) is spread across numerous organisations UK regulators of marine activities, their advisors, SCBCs, IFCA, RIFGs, and research institutes. Medium -High
Research and measurement of the particle motion component of sound FF.06: Underwater noise and vibrations Lab or controlled field experiments. 2 year project. Limited experience on particle motion measurements to date. Guidance under preparation (Exeter University) Potential for international collaborations with relevant government agencies in Europe and beyond as well as research institutions. Medium-High
Development of updated underwater noise threshold criteria for fish, including quantitative thresholds for behavioural effects and guidance on the assessment for invertebrates FF.06: Underwater noise and vibrations Desktop-based. 1-3 year project. Incorporation of particle motion component due to lack of data. Inconsistency in underwater metrics used across existing studies to date. Lack of behavioural based audiogram data. Potential for international collaborations with relevant government agencies in Europe and beyond as well as research institutions. Medium-High
Tracking of fish species during piling operations FF.06 Underwater noise and vibrations 2 year project. Field based. High cost of field work and technology required. Requires collaboration from developers for planning and access. Research driven by government agencies with support from developers. Medium-High
Production of updated spawning grounds maps FF.09: Accurate spatial-temporal patterns of spawning activity by marine fish species. FF.10: Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Desk-top based 2-year project. It would require coordination and input from regulators of marine activities across the UK and their advisors. Complex modelling required to predict probability of occurrence and integrate physical variables (including sediment data) in addition to survey data. The collection of additional survey data may be required. UK regulators of marine activities, their advisors, SCBCs and research institutes. Medium - High
Production of EFH map layers for key species (including shellfish species) at UK level FF.10 Essential Fish Habitat Desktop-based. 2-3 year project. As above in respect of spawning grounds mapping. UK regulators of marine activities, their advisors, SCBCs, IFCAs, RIFGs, and research institutes. Medium-High
Research on noise abatement measures and their effectiveness to mitigate impacts on fish FF.06: Underwater noise and vibrations Desk-top study. 2 year project. Requires liaison and input from developers and technology providers. - Driven by government agencies with support from developers. Medium
Development of a cable data catalogue FF.07: Electromagnetic fields Long-term, ongoing project. Desktop based with high engagement with developers and cable operators. Accessibility to data from developers and cable operators. Maintenance of catalogue and ownership of the catalogue? Offshore wind developers and sub-sea cable operators and government agencies. A coarse catalogue is currently being compiled for Defra. Medium
Improving our understanding of EMFs from existing cables - measurement of EMFs in the field FF.07: Electromagnetic Effects Field study. 2 year project. High cost of field work and technology required. Requires collaboration from developers for planning and access. Research could be linked to the cable data catalogue work identified above. Medium
Development of threshold criteria in relation EMFs for fish and shellfish (including early life stages) for key sensitive groups. FF.07: Electromagnetic Effects Field and lab-based research. 5 year project. Limited data available. Information exists for a handful of species. Difficult to compare evidence from different studies (different cables, voltages, burial status, etc). UK regulators of marine activities, their advisors, SCBCs and research institutes. Significant research on EMF is being undertaken in the USA and at various English and Scottish research organisations. Medium
Strategic research to investigate the scale of the effect of underwater noise, EMF and collision risk on fish and invertebrates that may result in population level impact or economic impact to fisheries. FF.06: Underwater noise and vibrations FF. 07: Electromagnetic Effects FF. 08: Collision risk Field, lab-based research and modelling. Long term project to address the 3 components. Multiple work packages. Use of complex models and modelling to help scale up effects. UK regulators of marine activities, their advisors, SCBCs, fisheries stakeholders and research institutes. Medium-High
Development of modelling tools to predict potential effects of fishing closures in wind farms to inform management decisions FF.05: Strategic Fisheries Management FF.11: Reef/fish aggregation effects FF.14: Co-existence with commercial fisheries Desk-top based. 2 year study. Existing available data to feed the models may be limited. Requires high technical expertise on mathematical modelling. Research institutions and government agencies, across UK, Europe and beyond. Medium
Studies on the potential for implementation of stock enhancement programmes within operational wind farms FF.05: Strategic Fisheries Management. FF.11: Reef/fish aggregation effects FF.14: Co-existence with commercial fisheries Long-term study. Field based. Scoping for suitable sites would be required in advance. It would require engagement and support from both the fishing industry and developers. Developers, industry wide-groups. Medium
Pilot studies to determine the level of recovery of habitats and species during the operational phase of offshore wind farm projects, timescales of such recovery and potential for spill over effects and associated benefits to fishermen FF.05 Strategic Fisheries FF.11 Reef/fish aggregation effects FF.14: Co-existence with commercial fisheries Long-term study (>5 years) to allow monitoring of changes over time. Field-based study complemented with analysis of fisheries data and information. Scoping for suitable sites and species/fisheries would be required in advance. It would require engagement and support from both the fishing industry and developers. This would be anticipated to be driven by Government and delivered with support from developers. Medium
Collection of behavioural data to feed fish collision risk models FF.08: Collision risk 1-2 years. Field based. Limited information currently available in relation to fish behaviour MMO, Marine Scotland, NRW, DAERA, SNCBs and research institutes Low-Medium
Development of standard cumulative pressures/impact pathways matrices for key fish and shellfish receptors and other inter-related receptors (i.e. benthic communities, marine mammals, birds) FF.13: Cumulative pressures and impact pathways. Desktop-based study with significant consultation and inputs from relevant stakeholders. 1-2 year project. It would require coordination and agreement between all main regulators of marine activities across the UK and SNCBs. UK regulators of marine activities, their advisors and SNCBs. May be possible to build on previous work undertaken by these organisations (e.g. MMO 2014b) Low - Medium
Guidance on key fish population structuring divisions required for assessment FF.09: Accurate spatio-temporal patterns of spawning activity by marine fish species. FF.10: Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) FF.13: Cumulative pressures and impact pathways Desk-top study. 1 year. Requires coordination and agreement between regulators of marine activities across the UK and their advisors. UK regulators of marine activities, their advisors, SCBCs, IFCA, RIFGs, and research institutes. Low
Development of an inshore fish monitoring strategy for implementation across UK regions. FF.12 Inshore populations/distribution FF.13: Cumulative pressures and impact pathways Desktop-based study with significant consultation and inputs from relevant stakeholders. 1 - 2 year project. Development of such a strategy on an UK-wide basis would require a collaborative approach amongst government agencies. The strategy should allow the integration of existing monitoring programmes (such as stock assessments and localised studies on inshore fish species undertaken by IFCAs, RIFGs and other organisations), as appropriate. UK regulators of marine activities, their advisors, SNCBs, IFCAs, RIFGs, and research institutes. Low
Monitoring of corrosion protection systems and associated chemical emissions from operational wind farms in the UK FF.15: Chemical/toxicity effects Field-based studies at selected project/s, lab-based studies or both. Direct involvement of developers required to facilitate access to sites if field-based. Strategic project at UK level. 1-2 year project. Monitoring methodology/ experimental set up may be challenging depending on approach (i.e. particularly if samples are collected in the field around operational turbines). Potential for collaboration with European organisations currently engaged in research on this topic (see literature review under "Evidence Gap FF15: Chemical/toxicity effects". Low
Table 6 Recommendations for Future Research – Fisheries
Research Evidence Gap (s) Feasibility Challenges Collaborations Priority
Development of UK wide fishing activity data layers by fishery (including information for both under 12 m and over 12 m vessels) FF.01: Accurate mapping of fishing activity 2 year project. Desktop based with significant input from fisheries stakeholders required. Potential for this to be developed as an interactive fisheries sensitivity mapping tool. Limited quantitative spatial data available for under 12 m fleets. Driven by government agencies with support from fisheries stakeholders. Potential for integration with other related mapping exercises (i.e. fish spawning grounds and EFH). High
Development of models to predict displacement at a strategic level (MRE development and other activities) FF:02: Accurate and validated method to predict fisheries displacement levels and locations. FF.13: Co-existence with commercial fisheries 2 year project. Desktop based. Expected to require complex mathematical modelling tools. Constrained by the limitations of the available fisheries data (particularly for under 12 m vessels). Requires accurate information on MRE development and other activities with potential to result in fisheries displacement. Driven by government agencies with input from fisheries stakeholders, MRE developers and other marine industries/ activities. High
Strategic monitoring of changes to fishing activities and displacement associated with MRE projects in the UK FF.02: Accurate and validated method to predict fisheries displacement levels and locations. FF.13: Co-existence with commercial fisheries 2 year project. Desktop based. Significant input from developers, fisheries stakeholders and regulators required. Constrained by the imitations of the available fisheries data. Driven by government agencies with support from developers and the fishing industry High
Technical guidelines on offshore wind farm project design and its compatibility with fishing FF:02: Accurate and validated method to predict fisheries displacement levels and locations. FF.13: Co-existence with commercial fisheries. 1-2 year project. Desktop based with significant inputs from developers and fisheries stakeholders. Dependent on effective consultation and constructive feedback from developers and fisheries stakeholders. Driven by government agencies and/or industry wide groups, with input from developers and fisheries stakeholders. High
Guidance on data requirements to inform commercial fisheries assessments FF.01: Accurate mapping of fishing activity FF:02: Accurate and validated method to predict fisheries displacement levels and locations. FF.04: Improvements in Environmental Impact Assessment Methodologies 1 year project. Desktop based. with significant input from fisheries stakeholders. - Driven by government agencies with support from fisheries stakeholders Medium-High
Development of a standard methodology for assessment of impacts from MRE projects on commercial fisheries. FF.04: Improvements in Environmental Impact Assessment Methodologies Desk-top based study. 1 -2 year project. Data limitations due to format of available fisheries data and confidentiality issues to allow refined assessments by fleet segment. Challenging to apply standard methodologies across the under 12 and over 12 fleets. Research driven by government agencies with input from fisheries stakeholders, developers and EIA practitioners. Medium-High
Feasibility studies/trials of fishing within wind farms using different fishing gears and operating practices FF:02: Accurate and validated method to predict fisheries displacement levels and locations. FF.13: Co-existence with commercial fisheries 2 year project. Field based. Input from developers and fishermen required. May require co-operation from developers for planning and access to sites, if research is undertaken within existing projects (potential for virtual wind farms could also be explored). Scoping for suitable sites would be required in advance (different sites may suit studies for different gears). Driven by government agencies with support from developers and fisheries stakeholders. Medium-High
Research and guidance on existing legal frameworks with regard to fishing within wind farms FF.04: Improvements in Environmental Impact Assessment Methodologies FF:02: Accurate and validated method to predict fisheries displacement levels and locations. FF.13: Co-existence with commercial fisheries 1-2 year project. Desktop based. Input from developers and fishermen required. Establishment of clear arrangements to facilitate the management of liabilities. Integration and coherence with existing legislation of fishing over cables. Driven by government agencies with support from developers and fisheries stakeholders. Medium
Feasibility study on the potential for co-location of MPAs and offshore wind farms in the UK FF:02: Accurate and validated method to predict fisheries displacement levels and locations. FF.05: Strategic Fisheries management FF.13: Co-existence with commercial fisheries 2 year project Desk-top based - Driven by government with support from SNBCs. Medium
Study on best approaches to facilitate integration and participation of fisheries stakeholders FF.03: Fisheries stakeholders and participation process. FF.13: Co-existence with commercial fisheries 1 year project. Desktop based with significant input from fisheries stakeholders. Informed through workshops and questionnaires to incorporate fishermen's views. - FLOWW Group and/or other relevant industry wide groups. Low-Medium

Contact

Email: ScotMER@gov.scot

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