Short Science Summary: Harbor Porpoises and Offshore Wind Energy

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Harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are a small and abundant cetacean species. Found throughout the temperate and subarctic waters of the northern hemisphere, they prefer shallow, coastal waters, and feed near the bottom on small fish, squid, and crustaceans. Most concerns about offshore wind energy and Harbor porpoises are associated with construction activities, particularly if pile driving is required to install turbine foundations. This summary represents a general overview of the research, produced by WREN under IEA Wind. The table below contains the literature relevant to harbor porpoises and the offshore wind energy industry and will continue to be updated as new literature is added to Tethys.

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Sources of Information on Harbor Porpoises:

Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
A roadmap towards quantitative cumulative impact assessments: Every step of the way Piet, G., Tamis, J., Volwater, J., de Vries, P., van der Wal, J., Jongbloed, R. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Collision, Displacement, Noise Birds, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment
Marine Mammals Workgroup Report for the State of the Science Workshop on Wildlife and Offshore Wind Energy 2020: Cumulative Impacts Southall, B., Morse, L., Williams, K., Jenkins, E. Report Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Collision, Habitat Change, Noise Marine Mammals
Draft Preliminary Environmental Assessment: Vandenberg Offshore Wind Energy Projects California State Lands Commission Report Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Fisheries, Visual Impacts
Modeling Small Scale Impacts of Multi-Purpose Platforms: An Ecosystem Approach Serpetti, N., Benjamins, S., Brain, S., Collu, M., Harvey, B., Heymans, J., Hughes, A., Risch, D., Rosinski, S., Waggitt, J., Wilson, B. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Environmental impacts of offshore wind installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning activities: A case study of Brazil Hernández Carrascal, O., Shadman, M., Amiri, M., Silva, C., Estefen, S., La Rovere, E. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals
Potential environmental effects of deepwater floating offshore wind energy facilities Farr, H., Ruttenberg, B., Walter, R., Wang, Y-H., White, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Chemicals, Collision, EMF, Entrapment, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals
State of the Science Workshop on Offshore Wind and Wildlife 2020: Cumulative Impacts NYSERDA Presentation Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Reptiles
Spatial and temporal analysis of cumulative environmental effects of offshore wind farms in the North Sea basin Gusatu, L., Menegon, S., Depellegrin, D., Zuidema, C., Faaij, A., Yamu, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Chemicals, Displacement, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions
A critical review on environmental impacts of renewable energy systems and mitigation strategies: Wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal Sayad, E. , Wilberforce, T., Elsaid, K., Rabaia, M., Abdelkareem, M., Chae, K., Olabi, A. Journal Article Marine Energy, OTEC, Tidal, Wave, Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind, Offshore Wind Attraction, Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Physical Environment, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions
An Evaluation of the Potential Impact of Extracting Marine Renewable Energy in the Coastal Environment of the Black Sea Zburlea, L., Rusu, E. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave, Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals
Risk Assessment to Model Encounter Rates between Large Whales and Sea Turtles and Vessel Traffic from Offshore Wind Energy on the Atlantic OCS Barkaszi, M., Fonseca, M., Foster, T., Malhotra, A., Olsen, K. Report Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Collision Marine Mammals, Reptiles, Human Dimensions, Navigation
How could operational underwater sound from future offshore wind turbines impact marine life? Stober, U., Thomsen, F. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Noise Fish, Marine Mammals
Vineyard Wind 1 Offshore Wind Energy Project: Final Environmental Impact Statement Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Report Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Reptiles, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Fisheries, Recreation & Tourism, Social & Economic Data
Orkney Islands Marine Region: State of the Environment Assessment Orkney Islands Council Report Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave, Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Environmental Impact Assessment, Social & Economic Data, Stakeholder Engagement
Mitigating biodiversity impacts associated with solar and wind energy development: guidelines for project developers Bennun, L., van Bochove, J., Ng, C., Fletcher, C., Wilson, D., Phair, N., Carbone, G. Guidance Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind, Offshore Wind Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Collision, Displacement, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Fish, Marine Mammals
Guidance document on wind energy developments and EU nature legislation European Commission Guidance Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind, Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals
Enabling Renewable Energy While Protecting Wildlife: An Ecological Risk-Based Approach to Wind Energy Development Using Ecosystem-Based Management Values Copping, A., Gorton, A., May, R., Bennet, F., DeGeorge, E., Goncalves, M., Rumes, B. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind, Offshore Wind Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Birds, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Social & Economic Data, Stakeholder Engagement
The Wildlife Sensitivity Mapping Manual: Practical guidance for renewable energy planning in the European Union Allinson, T., Jobson, B., Crowe, O., Lammerant, J., Van Den Bossche, W., Badoz, I. Guidance Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind, Offshore Wind Bats, Birds, Physical Environment, Marine Mammals
Existing Conditions and Potential Environmental Effects HT Harvey and Associates Report Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Avoidance, Collision, EMF, Entrapment, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals, Terrestrial Mammals
Comparison of Environmental Effects from Different Offshore Wind Turbine Foundations Horwath, S., Hassrick, J., Grismala, R., Diller, E. Report Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Changes in Flow, Habitat Change, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Water Quality, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Reptiles
Review Of Demographic Parameters And Sensitivity Analysis To Inform Inputs And Outputs Of Population Consequences Of Disturbance Assessments For Marine Mammals Sinclair, R., Sparling, C., Harwood, J. Report Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Pinnipeds
Regional baselines for marine mammal knowledge across the North Sea and Atlantic areas of Scottish waters Hague, E., Sinclair, R., Sparling, C. Report Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Pinnipeds
Estimating the effects of pile driving sounds on seals: Pitfalls and possibilities Whyte, K., Russell, D., Sparling, C., Binnerts, B., Hastie, G. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Noise Marine Mammals, Pinnipeds
Impact of Offshore Wind Farms on Marine Ecosystems, Pelagic Species and Fishing Negro, V., del Campo, J., Frades, J., Antón, M., Esteban, M., López-Gutiérrez, J-S., Soukissian, T. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Displacement, Habitat Change Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Pelagic Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Underwater Visual Records of Marine Megafauna Around Offshore Anthropogenic Structures Todd, V., Lazar, L., Williamson, L., Peters, I., Hoover, A., Cox, S., Todd, I., Macreadie, P., McLean, D. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Habitat Change Birds, Seabirds, Fish, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Pinnipeds, Reptiles
Impulsive noise pollution in the Northeast Atlantic: Reported activity during 2015–2017 Merchant, N., Andersson, M., Box, T., Le Courtois, F., Cronin, D., Holdsworth, N., Kinneging, N., Mendes, S., Merck, T., Mouat, J., Norro, A., Ollivier, B., Pinto, C., Stamp, P., Tougaard, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Noise Marine Mammals
Effects of multiple exposures to pile driving noise on harbor porpoise hearing during simulated flights—An evaluation tool Schaffeld, T., Schnitzler, J., Ruser, A., Woelfing, B., Baltzer, J., Siebert, U. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Avoidance, Noise Marine Mammals, Pinnipeds
The use of seal scarers as a protective mitigation measure can induce hearing impairment in harbour porpoises Schaffeld, T., Ruser, A., Woelfing, B., Baltzer, J., Kristensen, H., Larsson, J., Schnitzler, J., Siebert, U. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Noise Marine Mammals, Cetaceans
Reducing offshore pile driving noise: Modification of the hammer impulse Klages, E., Von Pein, J., Lippert, S., Von Estor, O. Conference Paper Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Noise Marine Mammals
Measuring responses of harbour seals to potential aversive acoustic mitigation signals using controlled exposure behavioural response studies Gordon, J., Blight, C., Bryant, E., Thompson, D. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Noise Marine Mammals
Improving visual biodiversity assessments of motile fauna in turbid aquatic environments Jones, R., Griffin, R., Rees, S., Unsworth, R. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave, Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Fish, Demersal Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals
Placing Green Energy in the Sea: Offshore Wind Farms, Dolphins, Oysters, and the Territorial Politics of the Intertidal Zone in Taiwan Hung, P. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Effect of Pile-Driving Playback Sound Level on Fish-Catching Efficiency in Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) Kastelein, R., Huijser, L., Cornelisse, S., Helder-Hoek, L., Jennings, N., de Jong, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Noise Pinnipeds, Marine Mammals
Harbour porpoise responses to pile-driving diminish over time Graham, I., Merchant, N., Farcas, A., Barton, T., Cheney, B., Bono, S., Thompson, P. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Noise Marine Mammals, Pinnipeds
PHAROS4MPAs: A Review of Solutions to Avoid and Mitigate Environmental Impacts of Offshore Windfarms Defingou, M., Bils, F., Horchler, B., Liesenjohann, T., Nehls, G. Report Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Collision, EMF, Habitat Change, Lighting, Noise Birds, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Marine Spatial Planning
Effects of noise-mitigated offshore pile driving on harbour porpoise abundance in the German Bight 2014-2016 (Gescha 2) Rose, A., Brandt, M., Vilela, R., Diederichs, A., Schubert, A., Kosarev, V., Nehls, G., Volkenandt, M., Wahl, V., Michalik, A., Wendeln, H., Freund, A., Ketzer, C., Limmer, B., Laczny, M., Piper, W. Report Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Noise Marine Mammals, Pinnipeds
Effect of impact pile driving noise on marine mammals: A comparison of different noise exposure criteria Stober, U., Thomsen, F. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Noise Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Pinnipeds
Minimizing wildlife impacts for offshore wind energy development: Winning tradeoffs for seabirds in space and cetaceans in time Best, B., Halpin, P. Journal Article Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Collision, Noise Birds, Seabirds, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans
Performance Characteristics of the NoiseSpotter: An Acoustic Monitoring and Localization System Raghukumar, K., Chang, G., Spada, F., Jones, C. Conference Paper Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Fish, Marine Mammals
Safeguarding Marine Protected Areas in the Growing Mediterranean Blue Economy: Recommendations for the Offshore Wind Energy Sector WWF France Report Wind Energy, Offshore Wind Collision, EMF, Lighting, Noise Birds, Physical Environment, Fish, Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning
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