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Tag: #Sandeel

Posted on

December 2024

2024 Recap

This year, the PrePARED project has delivered a number of reports and output summaries with many more coming soon in 2025!

Report 1 investigated whether spatio-temporal variations in harbour porpoise occurrence and foraging were related to sandeel density predictions.

The report found that:

  • Sandeel density predictions can inform predictions of harbour porpoise occurrence and foraging behaviour, with limitations.
  • There is a consistent positive predator-prey relationship in the Moray Firth area, matching seasonal presence of prey
  • The installation of wind turbine structures may have modified predator-prey interactions, with further research needed.

Read the full report here.

Report 2 aimed to assess broad-scale changes in the occurrence of porpoises in relation to the operational windfarms in the Moray Firth and assess fine-scale reef effects around turbine foundations.

The report found that:

  • Porpoises were not displaced from operational windfarms.
  • There was no evidence of reef effects. This was unexpected and further investigations are taking place

Read the full report here.

Following the PrePARED Annual Knowledge Exchange Meeting (AKEM) in February, the team created Report 3.

This report summarises project results from 2022 and 2023, how these can or will be used, the impact of these findings and the next steps.

Report 004 aimed to assess the responses of harbour porpoises to pile-driving at the Moray West Offshore Windfarm and directly estimate an Effective Deterrent Range (EDR) for the installation of monopiles without noise abatement.

The findings in this report were that;

  • The PrePARED project delivered new evidence in support of reducing the current EDR recommendations for monopiles (currently 26km). This new evidence is delivering impact, improving OWF consenting by feeding into new guidance in development by JNCC and DEFRA.
  • Further investigation is required to explore contextual factors such as seasonal variation, vessel traffic and use of acoustic deterrent devices.

Following these findings, PrePARED task leads from the University of Aberdeen met and discussed the results with key stakeholders across the UK, specifically to support discussions around the Southern North Sea SAC.

Read the full report here.

Focussing on transferability, SMRU Consulting released Report 005 discussing how Evidence Bridges can support advisors and decision makers.

Noting the importance of evidence-based decision making, this approach brings together researchers and key stakeholders to ensure that the best available science is utilised to support sustainable development of offshore wind.

Read the full report here.

Photo of sunset in Seagreen OWF during sandeel survey.
Posted on

November 2023

Photo of bridge over river in Manchester

ECOWIND & OWEC Annual Impact Meeting

PrePARED partners attended the ECOWIND & OWEC Annual Impact Meeting from 21-23rd November 2023.

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Day 1 allowed PrePARED to investigate collaboration opportunities with other offshore wind projects and raise awareness of current research highlights and findings.

Dr Kate Searle, UKCEH, presenting on PrePARED Cumulative Effects research
Dr Matthew Witt, University of Exeter, presenting on fish effects in relation to offshore wind

Day 2 and 3 provided an opportunity to meet with key stakeholders and discuss the policy and delivery landscape, key challenge areas and research highlights.

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PrePARED was represented in a number of areas at this meeting including research highlights on Ornithological effects, Fish effects, and Cumulative Effects Assessments.

Q4 General Updates

  • Prof. Paul Thompson, University of Aberdeen, recently met with our Aarhus University colleagues to discuss how PrePARED data can be integrated into the DEPONS framework.
  • Offshore activity currently underway to service acoustic receiver arrays in the Moray Firth to provide further data on fish activity in and around windfarms.
  • Preparations are currently underway for a winter survey on sandeel distributions within and around offshore wind farms in the Firth of Forth to provide essential data on the effect of prey distributions on marine top predators.
Posted on

July 2023

2 scientists using binoculars on boat to undertake seabird surveys

Summer Surveys

This summer PrePARED have conducted several successful summer surveys. These include;

  • Data collection to support Workpackage 1 including surveys on broad-scale fish distributions in the Forth & Tay;
    • Fisheries acoustic survey of pelagic fish including pelagic tows
    • Seabird at sea survey
    • Demersal fish survey
    • CTD stations measuring conductivity, temperature, pressure, dissolved O2 concentration, chlorophyll a and salinity at depth
2 scientists using binoculars on boat to undertake seabird surveys
Seabird at sea survey
Sandeel from tow
Sandeel from pelagic tow
Demersal fish survey
CTD stations
  • Surveys to support research on fine-scale fish distributions in the Forth & Tay by mapping predatory/demersal fish abundance. At the end of July, a survey will commence conducting Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) and trap surveys.
  • Data collection supporting Workpackage 3 including fisheries acoustic transects, pelagic and demersal trawls and CTD casts in the Moray Firth to support large-scale and fine-scale fish distribution research (Tasks 3.1 and 3.2)
  • To support Task 3.3 on fish acoustic telemetry in the Moray Firth, 2 x 1 week boat surveys were undertaken to Moray Firth windfarms with acoustic receiver arrays serviced and data downloaded. Fish tagging also took place with 1 cod and 4 whiting being tagged.
Acoustic transects
Fish Tagging

Quarter 2: General Updates

PrePARED ECR attending Royal Society event
  • The project management team have allocated a contract for a Stakeholder and Network Analysis to ensure that there is a clear understanding of who has an influence over the project, would be impacted by project findings, or have interests related to offshore wind farm development and their effects on seabirds, marine mammals, and fish. The findings from the analysis will be used to inform impact plans and ensure effective engagement with key stakeholders.
  • PrePARED have established a Management Group to focus on delivery of the project moving forward and allow for discussion and solving of any project challenges as and when they arise.
  • A few of the project team early career researchers (ECR) attended an event organised by Royal Society on “Ocean and marine science policy”

Project Manager

  • Since assuming the project management role, I have taken advantage of opportunities to hold individual discussions with task leads to gain a better understanding of the project objectives, status, challenges, and highlights.
  • I have begun preparations for the 2024 Annual Knowledge Exchange Meeting, reviewing dates and venue options.
  • To support future surveys, I have also obtained my ENG1 Medical Certificate and have booked a Survival at Sea course in August which will allow me to join research cruises and support with data collection.
    • The ENG1 Medical took ~30 minutes and the doctor records your height, weight and BMI and conducts eyesight and hearing tests. In addition, the doctor also checks for kidney stones and reviews your flexibility for any joint or muscular pain.