Report recommends further research on impact of offshore wind farms on fish

The Scottish Government have published a report on the impact of off shore wind development on species of fish that undertake regular migrations between freshwater and marine environments. These include Atlantic salmon and sea trout. The report finds that the potential for negative impacts from sound and vibration on these fish associated with offshore wind farms are most likely during construction, with pile driving creating particularly loud sound pulses, which is relatively short term but intense. Potential impacts include behavioural changes such as avoidance, physiological changes and in some cases, physical injury. Sound from the operation of offshore wind farms will be long term but lower intensity, and not be consistent over time. The potential effects of this sound are currently unclear. The report acknowledges the twin crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss, and in doing so concludes that it is essential to fill knowledge gaps with targeted studies.