Towards an Environmentally Sound Offshore Wind Energy Deployment

The symposium consisted of six thematic sessions. The aim of the first three sessions was the determination of the impact of offshore wind energy deployment on marine animals, with special focus on fish (session I), marine mammals (session II) and birds (session III). These sessions also outlined the sensitivities of these taxa. Session IV dealt with the concerns and demands of nature conservation agencies and environmental organisations to the deployment of offshore wind energy. Session V introduced the present regulatory framework in different countries with regards to nature conservation issues. Finally, session VI included the presentation of various methods leading towards an environmentally sound offshore wind energy deployment. As an example, an approach for a common data base was shown.