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Skeate, E.R., Perrow, M.R. and Gilroy, J.J. 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7597-5780
(2012)
Likely effects of construction of Scroby Sands offshore wind farm on a mixed population of harbour Phoca vitulina and grey Halichoerus grypus seals.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 64 (4).
pp. 872-881.
ISSN 0025-326X
Abstract
Scroby Sands offshore wind farm was built close to a haul-out and breeding site for harbour seal, a species of conservation concern. An aerial survey programme conducted during a five-year period spanning wind farm construction, revealed a significant post-construction decline in haul-out counts. Multivariate model selection suggested that the decline was not related to the environmental factors considered, nor did it mirror wider population trends. Although cause and effect could not be unequivocally established, the theoretical basis of hearing in pinnipeds and previous studies suggested that extreme noise (to 257dB re 1μ Pa @ 1m) generated by pile-driving of turbine bases led to displacement of seals. A lack of full recovery of harbour seal during the study was also linked to their sensitivity to vessel activity and/or rapid colonisation of competing grey seal. Any impact of offshore wind farm development upon pinnipeds would be much reduced without pile-driving.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | pinniped,haul-out,offshore wind far,pile-driving,construction noise,aerial survey |
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences |
| UEA Research Groups: | Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Organisms and the Environment Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Environmental Biology |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | Pure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Mar 2015 16:00 |
| Last Modified: | 18 May 2023 00:13 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/52734 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.01.029 |
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