Abstract
This document summarises the key findings from the “INSITEs Into Cumulative Effects Assessments” webinar held on July 6th, 2023. The evidence presented demonstrates that MMS create multiple pressures and effects.
The FuECoMMS project determines that decommissioning may mitigate negative effects on benthic food webs and reduce the loss of species richness near structures. The Synthesis project reveals that repurposing or abandoning individual or multiple structures in place could contribute most strongly to most of the 35 environmental targets and aspirations identified by the United Nations and OSPAR. However, to adopt this practice would require a fundamental shift in approach to current policy; one which could lead to the disposal of 1000s of structures at sea.
The scientific consensus on the effects of MMS and the different decommissioning options, reveals a diversity of effects and ecological outcomes that are considered positive (desirable) and negative (undesirable) from an environmental, ethical, and societal standpoint. Choice of decommissioning option(s) requires policymakers and managers to prioritise some targets over others, or when considering a holistic approach, to accept that some targets will likely not be met.