Steven Benjamins Presentations
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This document discusses challenges with surveying marine mammals in tidal streams for tidal energy projects and proposes multi-element solutions. Monitoring porpoises is difficult at high current speeds as they are less visible and ambient noise increases. A proposed approach includes land-based visual observations, visual surveys from vessels going with and against the current, passive acoustic monitoring with towed and moored hydrophones and drifting hydrophones to address water movement issues. Combining different monitoring methods provides a more comprehensive perspective.
Steven Benjamins Presentations
- 1. Surveying for marine mammals in tidal streams Problems and possible solutions Steven Benjamins, Ben Wilson, Jim Elliott, Russell Leaper, Jonathan Gordon
- 2. Tidal-stream energy generation in Scotland Potential for significant expansion (e.g. Sound of Islay test array) Potential risks to marine mammals (collision, habitat exclusion) Assessment of relative © Hammerfest Strøm abundance and habitat use on site-by-site basis
- 3. Problems monitoring in tidal streams At high current speeds: – Porpoises are even less visible – Increased ambient noise may mask calls
- 4. Porpoises with tide (flood) Porpoises with tide (ebb) Porpoises station to bottom 6 knots over the ground (GPS)
- 5. A multi-element approach (1) Land-based visual observations of particular areas (as appropriate) Visual observations from survey vessel – Go with current, but at an angle – Repeat surveys through tidal 58° cycle
- 6. A multi-element approach (2) Passive acoustic monitoring: – Towed hydrophone array (spatial coverage) – Moored porpoise click detectors – (CPODs; temporal coverage) – Drifting hydrophones (to address water movement issue) © Chelonia Inc. © SAMS Different approaches provide a range of perspectives!
- 7. We thank: Cally Fleming, Robert Batty Silurian Skippers: Dave Hannah & John Hill Observers and crew esp. Nic Davies, Lucia Lopez & Nienke van Geel Funding from: