Abstract
This guidance sets out best practice recommendations for the collection, management, processing, transmission, storage and responsible disclosure of data from post‑construction seabird collision monitoring studies.
The focus is on improving data quality, consistency and comparability across projects, sites and jurisdictions, while recognising offshore feasibility constraints and the need to manage commercially sensitive information. The guidance is informed by a review of existing and planned monitoring studies, alongside structured engagement with offshore wind developers, monitoring equipment suppliers, and regulatory and environmental authorities.
Key topics covered include:
- Priority monitoring parameters relevant to collision monitoring, with clear definitions to support consistent interpretation
- Practical requirements for offshore data acquisition, including monitoring duration, system capabilities and equipment placement considerations
- Recommendations for raw and processed data formats, metadata, synchronisation, quality assurance and version control to support reproducibility and re‑analysis
- Approaches to data transmission, storage and access that reflect offshore and IT/OT constraints
- Proportionate management of confidentiality and commercial sensitivities, including data‑sharing arrangements
- The guidance is intended to be used alongside project‑specific monitoring plans and regulatory requirements, and to be applied flexibly across different project contexts and jurisdictions.