Dear MARMAM, We are pleased to share our new open access publication in Marine Pollution Bulletin: C.B. Harris, S. Benjamins, B. Scott, B.J. Williamson (2025). Ecological impacts of floating offshore wind on marine mammals and associated trophic interactions: current evidence and knowledge gaps. Marine Pollution Bulletin. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118059
Abstract: Floating offshore wind is expected to expand globally into further offshore, deeper and highly productive shelf seas to utilise increased and more consistent wind energy. Marine mammals represent mobile species that connect across regions and can indicate wider ecosystem changes. To date, only a handful of ecological impact studies have been conducted at floating offshore wind farms, due to the infancy of the technology and small numbers of operational sites. Understanding how floating offshore wind could alter ecosystem functions and impact species at individual and population levels will be essential to mitigate potential negative ecological impacts as the sector expands. Currently, numerous floating offshore wind sites are planned or already in development. Therefore, evaluating current knowledge and remaining knowledge gaps will benefit future projects in assessing ecological impacts and determining where additional research should be conducted. This review summarises the positive and negative ecological impacts that have been previously highlighted as potential impacts from floating offshore wind, focusing on marine mammals, whilst also considering prey and broader trophic interactions. Current studies at operational floating offshore wind sites are summarised and discussed in context of observed and/or anticipated impacts. Finally, key outstanding research areas are suggested in relation to each impact. Many thanks, Caitlin Harris Caitlin Bolan Harris PhD Researcher 01847 889000 eri.ac.uk<https://eri.ac.uk/> | nwh.uhi.ac.uk<http://nwh.uhi.ac.uk> UHI North, West and Hebrides is the trading name of The Board of Management of UHI North, West and Hebrides which is a registered charity, number SC021215. 'S e UHI a Tuath, an Iar agus Innse Gall an t-ainm malairt a th' air Bòrd Stiùiridh UHI a Tuath, an Iar agus Innse Gall a tha na charthannas clàraichte, àireamh SC021215. UHI North, West and Hebrides is a trading name of The Board of Management of UHI North, West and Hebrides which is a registered charity, number SC021215. The contents of this message are intended for the addressee only and may contain the personal views of the sender which do not necessarily reflect the views of UHI North, West and Hebrides. The College does not accept liability for the personal views of its staff. Please note that all email traffic is monitored for the purposes of security and spam filtering, and as such, individual emails may be examined in detail to ensure that emails are compliant with Policy. However, no liability is accepted for viruses, and it is your responsibility to scan any attachments to emails.
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