Marine mammals and tidal energy potential: Ecological assessments and spatial analyses in the Irish exclusive economic zone

Marine renewable energy, specifically tidal energy, is central to Ireland's efforts to address climate change and enhance sustainable energy production. However, tidal energy projects can have ecological impacts on marine wildlife, particularly marine mammals such as cetaceans and pinnipeds, necessitating comprehensive assessments to inform sustainable development strategies. Cetaceans and pinnipeds face several risks from tidal energy installations, including collision with turbine blades, disturbance from underwater noise, displacement from key habitats, and habitat fragmentation. Understanding these interactions is crucial for mitigating negative impacts and supporting the coexistence of marine renewable energy and marine biodiversity. A comprehensive review of existing literature has highlighted significant ecological concerns, emphasizing collision risks, acoustic disturbances, behavioural changes, and habitat alterations associated with tidal energy devices. Key knowledge gaps identified include the long-term cumulative impacts on marine mammal populations, effectiveness of mitigation strategies, and responses of different species to tidal energy devices. Spatial analyses conducted using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) evaluated the extent of spatial overlap between marine mammal habitats and zones designated for tidal energy potential within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Significant overlaps were found for bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, and harbour porpoises, particularly in ecologically critical coastal areas such as the Shannon Estuary, Dingle Bay, and waters off Cork and West Cork. Baleen whales exhibited relatively limited overlap due to their offshore distribution patterns. Data limitations, particularly for pinnipeds, underscored the necessity for improved monitoring and standardized data collection practices. The integration of robust ecological assessments into tidal energy planning is essential to mitigate risks to marine mammals. Recommendations include targeted monitoring efforts, standardized ecological data collection, and adaptive management strategies to ensure tidal energy development aligns with marine conservation objectives.

Publisher

University of Galway

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CC BY-NC-ND

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University of Galway Theses (Research Masters Theses)