title: Fulfilling EU Laws to Ensure Marine Mammal Protection During Marine Renewable Construction Operations in Scotland.
abstract: Large-scale offshore renewable energy infrastructure construction in Scottish waters is anticipated in coming decades. An approach being pursued, with a view to preventing short-range marine mammal injury, is the introduction of additional noise sources to intentionally disturb and displace animals from renewable sites over the construction period. To date, no full and transparent consideration has been given to the long-term cost benefits of noise reduction compared with noise-inducing mitigation techniques. It has yet to be determined if the introduction of additional noise is consistent with the objectives of the EU Habitats Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
authors.affiliation: Whale and Dolphin Conservation, 38 St. Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1LJ, UK. sarah.dolman@whales.org.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Dolman
authors.affiliation: Whale and Dolphin Conservation, 38 St. Paul Street, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1LJ, UK. mick.green@whales.org.
authors.forename: Mick
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Green
authors.affiliation: Client Earth, London, E8 3QW, UK. sgregerson@clientearth.org.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gregerson
authors.affiliation: Ketos Ecology, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 2BP, UK. caroline.weir@ketosecology.co.uk.
authors.forename: Caroline R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Weir
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000502:physiology*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005062:European Union; D007878:Legislation as Topic; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology*; D009622:Noise; D046049:Phoca / Q000502:physiology; D012606:Scotland
keywords: Habitats Directive; Marine Strategy Framework Directive; Marine mammals; Noise; Pile driving