Abstract
Marine energy devices harness power from attributes of ocean water to form a sustainable energy source. Knowledge gaps remain about whether marine energy systems can affect the environment, adding another threat to animal populations and habitats already under pressure from climate change and anthropogenic activities. To date, potential environmental effects have been studied under the scope of stressor–receptor interactions, where moving parts of, or emissions from, a system could harm the animals, habitats, and natural processes. While crucial for understanding effects and identifying knowledge gaps, this approach misses a holistic view of what animals may experience in the presence of marine energy systems. We look at six biological consequences and forces that drive the health of an animal population and the effects expected from marine energy development: success of early life stages; changes in competitive capabilities; growth and survival based on food availability; susceptibility to predators; injury or death; and reproductive success. We use case studies to develop this approach, focusing on a variety of marine animals. An approximate level of risk is assigned for each interaction based on the biological consequences. This work highlights the need to examine the effects of marine energy development on animal populations within their natural habitats.
Highlights
Marine energy development is the latest entry into the portfolio of low-carbon sustainable energy sources for many coastal nations [1]
Researchers in nations with active marine energy development have been investigating risks to marine animals from collision with rotating turbine blades, effects of sound from devices on marine mammals and fish, effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from power cables on sensitive species, changes in critical habitats associated to the installation and operation of the devices, and a host of other interactions
The present study examines how the risk of harm from marine energy development and operation might affect a broad range of receptor species
Summary
Marine energy development is the latest entry into the portfolio of low-carbon sustainable energy sources for many coastal nations [1]. The marine energy industry is young and facing challenges associated with the need for further technology development and convergence, as well as the need to acclimate to a hostile ocean environment to reach commercial readiness [3]. Remaining knowledge gaps and uncertainties about the potential effects of these technologies on marine animals, habitats, and oceanographic processes have slowed development [3]. Researchers in nations with active marine energy development have been investigating risks to marine animals from collision with rotating turbine blades, effects of sound from devices on marine mammals and fish, effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from power cables on sensitive species, changes in critical habitats associated to the installation and operation of the devices, and a host of other interactions. Multinational research efforts have been spawned from the European Union [4] and the International Energy Agency’s
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