Using modelled sandeel distribution maps to characterise spatio-temporal variation in the occurrence and foraging behaviour of harbour porpoises around offshore windfarms

Report

Title: Using modelled sandeel distribution maps to characterise spatio-temporal variation in the occurrence and foraging behaviour of harbour porpoises around offshore windfarms

Author:

Fernandez-Betelu, O.; Iorio-Merlo, V.; Graham, I.M.; Benhemma-Le Gall, A.; Cheney, B.J.; Payo-Payo, A.; Thompson, P.M.

Publication Date:

March 15, 2024

Document Number:

PrePARED Report No. 001

Pages:

Affiliation

University of Aberdeen

Sponsoring Organization:

Complutense University of Madrid

Technology:

Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind

Stressor:

Displacement

Receptor:

Marine Mammals, Pinnipeds

Language:

English

Document Access

Website:

External Link

Attachment:

Access File

Citation

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BibTex
RIS

Fernandez-Betelu, O., Iorio-Merlo, V., Graham, I. M., Benhemma-Le Gall, A., Cheney, B.J., Payo-Payo, A., Thompson, P.M. (2024). PrePARED Task 4.1 – Using modelled sandeel distribution maps to characterise spatio-temporal variation in the occurrence and foraging behaviour of harbour porpoises around offshore windfarms. PrePARED Report, No. 001. March 2024.

@techreport{Fernandez-Betelu-2024-2083186,
author = {Fernandez-Betelu, O and Iorio-Merlo, V and Graham, IM and Benhemma-Le Gall, A and Cheney, BJ and Payo-Payo, A and Thompson, PM},
title = {Using modelled sandeel distribution maps to characterise spatio-temporal variation in the occurrence and foraging behaviour of harbour porpoises around offshore windfarms},
institution = {University of Aberdeen},
year = {2024},
month = {mar},
number = {PrePARED Report No. 001},
url = {https://owecprepared.org/outputs/},
keywords = {Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Displacement, Marine Mammals, Pinnipeds},
}

Export Citation to BibTex

TY - RPRT
TI - Using modelled sandeel distribution maps to characterise spatio-temporal variation in the occurrence and foraging behaviour of harbour porpoises around offshore windfarms
AU - Fernandez-Betelu, O
AU - Iorio-Merlo, V
AU - Graham, IM
AU - Benhemma-Le Gall, A
AU - Cheney, BJ
AU - Payo-Payo, A
AU - Thompson, PM
AB - Assessment and mitigation of the cumulative impacts of offshore windfarm developments remain constrained by knowledge gaps on the links between the distribution of marine mammals and their prey. Using passive acoustic monitoring techniques and the outputs of a recently developed sandeel distribution model, we investigated how prey density and the presence of windfarms influenced spatiotemporal variation in occurrence and foraging behaviour of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the Moray Firth, NE Scotland. We found a consistent positive predator-prey relationship in this area, which matched the seasonal presence of prey in the water column. Analyses also suggest that the installation of wind turbine structures may have modified predator-prey interactions and highlight how additional work within the OWEC funded PrePARED project can be used to better understand this effect.
DA - 2024/03//
PY - 2024
SP - 34
PB - University of Aberdeen
SN - PrePARED Report No. 001
UR - https://owecprepared.org/outputs/
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Displacement
KW - Marine Mammals
KW - Pinnipeds
ER -

Export Citation to RIS

Abstract

Assessment and mitigation of the cumulative impacts of offshore windfarm developments remain constrained by knowledge gaps on the links between the distribution of marine mammals and their prey. Using passive acoustic monitoring techniques and the outputs of a recently developed sandeel distribution model, we investigated how prey density and the presence of windfarms influenced spatiotemporal variation in occurrence and foraging behaviour of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the Moray Firth, NE Scotland. We found a consistent positive predator-prey relationship in this area, which matched the seasonal presence of prey in the water column. Analyses also suggest that the installation of wind turbine structures may have modified predator-prey interactions and highlight how additional work within the OWEC funded PrePARED project can be used to better understand this effect.