Research and analysis

R006 - Bird collision risk and avoidance of renewable energy devices above and below water

Evidence requirement R006: Bird collision risk and avoidance of renewable energy devices above and below water.

• From: Marine Management Organisation
• Published: 14 September 2017

Documents

R006 - Bird collision risk and avoidance of renewable energy devices above and below water

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Details

Requirement R006

Requirement detail

Bird mortality from collisions is a major ecological concern associated with marine renewables. Collisions with wind turbines during flight has been the main focus of interest although the interaction of diving birds with submerged renewables is also of interest.

Data on the factors influencing collision risk and bird fatality are sparse with collision risk models are highly sensitive to avoidance rates. To inform collision analyses, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) seek evidence of avoidance behaviour at different spatial scale eg avoidance of developments, individual structure or of moving parts. When specific evidence is lacking 98% avoidance rates (for flight) are assumed . For diving birds collision with submerged structures, potential for collision relies on diving depths and patterns.

The MMO is interested in evidence relating to all bird species experiencing collision mortality impacts. It particularly seeks evidence to improve on the best available data for underwater collision risks for terns, divers, puffins, gannets, guillemots, razorbill and flight collision risks forkittiwake, gannet and black backed gulls.

Published 14 September 2017