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SRSL offers multiple marine mammal services, ranging from field surveys to expert consultancy. As such, we are a preferred supplier to Scottish Natural Heritage in their current Framework Agreement for the Provision of Specialist Advice on Marine Mammals and Basking Sharks.
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Our findings are viewed relative to the
specific strengths and weaknesses of the survey methods, validity and
age of data sources and framed in a wider Scottish perspective, as well
as in terms of species conservation designations (WRT UK & European
legislation). Relevant species are considered in terms of their
potential vulnerability to construction, operation and decommissioning
activities associated with potential device and development sites.
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To determine the risk of collision of an
underwater device, SAMS first find it necessary to characterise the
background acoustic environment (see above). This will quantify the
existing acoustic context into which any future device will be placed.
When combined with in-situ device acoustic outputs, the level of
audibility to marine mammals and other acoustically sensitive species
will be calculable.
Encounter models have been used extensively
in ecology to estimate predator-prey interactions of marine animals and
to assess risk of predation mortality. As part of the ongoing 7th
Framework Equimar Project, SAMS is developing a series of encounter
(long range) and evasion (close range) models to determine underwater
collision risks for large fish, mammals and birds with marine renewable
devices:
Our models consider the many factors that can influence
collision risk, for example depth of deployment, velocity of moving
parts, the forming of traps (e.g. ducts) water turbidity, time of
day/night and the summative effect of many devices in deployed in
arrays.
Our modelling tools can be used to directly compare
potentially harmful collision risks for different device types,
deployment locations and species. Our model also enables us to provide
mitigation advice, ranging from predictive modelling to enhancement
advice.
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 We are currently providing these
services to a number of tidal device developers in Scotland.) In
addition, SAMS are carrying out targeted research to better understand
how marine mammals use these high-energy sites and hence how we can
better survey for their presence and behaviour.
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SAMS is a partner the EU funded
project EquiMar Equitable testing and Evaluation of Marine Energy
Extraction Devices in terms of Performance, Cost and Environmental
Impact working to provide the EU with protocols to compare energy
extraction devices and proposed development locations in a fair and
consistent manner. In this project, SAMS is working with scientists,
engineers and developers from 11 countries to contribute to the
Environmental Impact Assessment Work Package with particular emphasis on
mitigating environmental problems through improvements in the
engineering.
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Environmental
Impact Assessment of renewable energy devices should include an
assessment of background noise levels before construction, as well as
operational acoustic output of the device in situ.
SAMS can
offer baseline passive acoustic surveys of ambient noise at potential
development sites (at both springs and neap tides). These surveys employ
SAMS’ Drifting Ears technology, developed by SAMS for monitoring the
EMEC tidal test site in Orkney. SAMS are currently the sole providers of
acoustic data analysis from these devices in the UK. Results from our
baseline surveys can then be compared with repeat surveys conducted
during construction, operation and de-commissioning of marine renewable
energy devices.
Acoustic Impact Assessments can be produced
which combine our expert knowledge of the specific auditory biology,
behaviour and ecology of at risk species that inhabit or visit potential
development areas. We can also determine over what ranges these animals
will be able to perceive (and hence react to or avoid) operating
devices.
SAMS can also advise on the methodological design
and implementation of monitoring programmes for describing behavioural
Interactions between marine vertebrates and devices, and also any
acoustic mitigation that may be considered necessary.
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