Presentations
Harmonising offshore wind and marine conservation: Lessons from indicator species and international noise regulations
Ally Russell, Marine Consultant, ERM
Abstract
The study investigates how offshore wind farm (OWF) noise affects marine mammals and explores using indicator species—such as harbour porpoises and minke whales—to standardise impact assessments across countries. By comparing species with similar hearing sensitivities (e.g., finless vs. harbour porpoises) and reviewing case studies like South Korea’s piling projects and Germany’s strict noise limits, the research highlights regulatory gaps and best practices. Findings show transboundary populations and data-limited regions would benefit from harmonised policies, standardised data collection, and shared mitigation strategies to balance renewable energy growth with marine mammal protection
