Artificial Islands: Information needs and impact criteria

Abstract

This review of the information needed before realistic forecasts can be made of the effects of major new developments on the marine environment sprang from the need to assess the impact of an artificial island off the east coast of the United States. Manmade structures in the sea, ranging from oil platforms to large anchored floating structures and reclaimed land in shallower water, are already proliferating around the world and many more on an ambitious scale are foreseen in the next few decades. It will be important to forecase the effect they have on the surrounding sea areas and marine resources as accurately as we can.