The IWDG have published the proceedings from the workshop Examining Standards of Baseline Data Acquisition for EIA and Mitigation for Offshore Construction under the EU Habitats Directive. IWDG officers Patrick Lyne and Stephen Comerford organised the workshop at the European Cetacean Society Conference in the Azores last year, bringing together a group of international experts to work through some difficult topics relating to offshore wind.
By comparing experience of the regulatory approaches taken in European jurisdictions and the UK, and examining their relative effectiveness in terms of compliance with European legislation, feasibility for industry, and the best outcomes for whales, dolphins and porpoises, the workshop participants worked to bring together the knowledge in the room. The proceedings are a useful resource for anyone working in the area of offshore renewables in Ireland or Europe. A number of conclusions were reached:
There is a requirement for noise abatement technology during construction piling where noise thresholds can’t be achieved, and an acknowledgment that these will be challenging to meet as projects use bigger piles and develop deeper waters.
There was scepticism about the effectiveness of mitigation methods such as MMOs, PAM, ADDs and soft starts, but agreement that they have their place. Shutdowns in the event of a detection in the mitigation zone were seen as necessary, requiring observers during operations.
Better evidence is needed linking exposure to injury and disturbance, particularly for baleen whales.
Standardised guidance and minimum requirements for monitoring is needed. The discussion highlighted the complexity of establishing adequate baseline data for marine environmental impact assessments. While consensus emerged on minimum requirements (2-year surveys with mixed visual/acoustic approaches), significant challenges remain in data standardization, management, and application across diverse marine environments.
The workshop emphasized the need for continued innovation in monitoring approaches, particularly for emerging technologies like floating wind turbines in deep water environments, while ensuring robust protection of marine mammal populations through evidence-based regulatory frameworks.
Some key action areas for future work were highlighted:
- Standardization: Develop consistent baseline data requirements across EU member states
- Technology integration: Establish best practice guidelines for acoustic monitoring equipment deployment
- Data management: Create frameworks for data currency, sharing, and accessibility
- Compensatory measures: Develop clearer guidance on acceptable mitigation and compensation approaches
- Special environments: Establish protocols for deep water and sensitive area developments
- Continuous improvement: Implement adaptive management approaches incorporating new scientific findings are needed across jurisdictions.
You can read the full document here: Examining Standards of Baseline Data Acquisition for EIA and Mitigation for Offshore Construction under the EU Habitats Directive.