AKEM 2024 – Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
PrePARED Science
Foodscapes: Integrating BRUV monitoring with bomb calorimetry to improve understanding of value of offshore wind farms.
We present data from baited remote underwater video surveys to assess the presence of demersal fish species close to offshore wind farm turbines. We used bomb calorimetry to understand prey quality and combined these to make inferences about the value of offshore wind farm (vs reference areas) through the eyes of predators. We present this in the context of this can help inform cumulative impact assessments.
Fish and Seabirds in Forth and Tay
Focusing on the Forth and Tay region we present (1) an overview of data collection and processing of seabird and fish data collected in the Forth and Tay (2) how these are being used to investigate predator-prey relationships in the context of OWFs, and (3) show how results can be combined with modelling developments in SeabORD to improve EIAs.
Marine Mammal Dose Response
An outline of how power analyses based on historic passive acoustic data can be used to optimise the design of future dose-response studies, with an overview of emerging data on responses of porpoises to construction activity at Moray Firth windfarms.
Of those who responded to the post-event survey, the 2024 AKEM received an average rating of 4.3/5 stars with 80% confirming that they left with a clearer understanding of PrePARED’s goals and upcoming outputs
External Factors
Exploring external factors
Francis Daunt (UKCEH), discusses how external factors, such as the marine heatwave and avian flu, are considered in research.
Potential to incorporate external shocks into assessment tools
Adam Butler (BioSS) discusses how external shocks such as avian flu and the marine heatwave can be incorporated quantitatively into assessments.
73% of those who responded to the post event survey confirmed that the science was communicated in an easily understood manner.
We also collected information on what went well, what improvements could be made and preferences for future meetings.
Transferability
Exploring transferability in the evidence base to help assist in decision making
We’ll explore transferability of the evidence base – in the context of project level and cumulative effects assessment – and discuss how this can support decision making.
Similarity Assessment (updated following release of Report 006)
We present results of a UK wide habitat similarity assessment comparing PrePARED and other existing and planned OWFs. This assessment was performed using depth, sediment, tide, seabed temperature and turbulent mixing data along with a dataset of windfarm engineering characteristics and spatial extents. This analysis has been conducted to examine potential transferability of PrePARED results to OWF sites across the UK continental shelf.
Exploring the needs of planning and consenting
Scottish Government Offshore Wind Directorate colleagues discuss evidence in planning and consenting, National Marine Planning, Sectoral Marine Planning and Consenting
PrePARED – The First Two Years
Report from the PrePARED Annual Knowledge Exchange Meeting (AKEM) 2024
