Sub‐sea power cables and the migration behaviour of the European eel

Westerberg, Håkan; Lagenfelt, Ingvar

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2400.2008.00630.x

Cited by 75 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Noise from the turbines may potentially increase stress levels in fish or harm internal communication by masking sound signals used by the fish (Andersson 2011, Popper & Hawkins 2012). Changes in electromagnetic fields may de crease foraging efficiency in species that use their electromagnetic sense for detecting prey, such as elasmobranchs (Kimber et al 2011, Gill et al 2012, or potentially disturb fish migration (Wes terberg & Begout-Anras 2000, Westerberg & Lagenfelt 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of an offshore wind farm on temporal and spatial patterns in the demersal fish community

Bergström

Sundqvist²,

Bergström³

2013

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

121

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The rapid increase in offshore wind energy worldwide has raised concern about its potential risks to marine biodiversity due to habitat alteration, disturbance from noise and electromagnetic fields. This study presents results of surveillance studies performed at the Lillgrund wind farm in Sweden to investigate the integrated effects of these factors on the abundance and distribution patterns of benthic fish communities. The studies revealed no large-scale effects on fish diversity and abundance after establishment of the wind farm when compared to the development in 2 reference areas. Changes in some species and in community composition were observed over time but occurred in parallel in at least one reference area, indicating that fish communities in the wind farm area were mainly driven by the same environmental factors as those in surrounding areas. However, changes at smaller spatial scales were evident. Increased densities of all studied piscivores (cod, eel, shorthorn sculpin), as well as the reef-associated goldsinny wrasse, were observed close to the foundations in the first years of operation. The increase was probably attributed mainly to local changes in distribution rather than to immigration or increased local productivity. Simultaneously, weak or no aggregation of black goby, eelpout and shore crab, all potentially reef-associated but also prey species of the studied piscivores, was observed, which may indicate enhanced top-down control near the foundations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of an offshore wind farm on temporal and spatial patterns in the demersal fish community

Bergström

Sundqvist²,

Bergström³

2013

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

121

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“…Data from the few field studies on the behavior of fishes in the presence of human-induced EMF in submarine power cables are, at best, equivocal. The swimming speed of European eel, Anguilla anguilla, passing over a 130 kV AC power cable in the Baltic Sea was observed [22] and a small effect was found with eels slowing their swimming speed when both approaching and exiting from the cable region. However, there was no statistically significant relationship between the amperage in various parts of the cable and swimming speed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comparison of Fishes and Invertebrates Living in the Vicinity of Energized and Unenergized Submarine Power Cables and Natural Sea Floor off Southern California, USA

Love

Nishimoto

Snook

et al. 2017

Journal of Renewable Energy

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Increasing reliance on deep-water renewable energy has increased concerns about the effects of the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by submarine power cables on aquatic organisms. Off southern California, we conducted surveys of marine organisms living around energized and unenergized submarine power cables and nearby sea floor during 2012-2014 at depths between 76 and 213 m. In general, EMFs declined to background levels about one meter from the cable. We found no statistical difference in species composition between the fish assemblages along the energized and unenergized cables. The natural habitat community statistically differed from both energized and unenergized cable communities. Within species (or species groups), we found no differences in densities between energized and unenergized cables. Total fish densities were significantly higher around the cables than over the natural habitat. We found that invertebrate communities were structured by habitat type and depth and, similar to the fishes, there was no statistical difference between the energized and unenergized cables. Individually, the densities of four invertebrate species or species groups (Metridium farcimen, Luidia spp., unidentified black Crinoidea, and Urticina spp.) differed between energized and unenergized cables, but this difference was not significant across all depth strata. The invertebrate community inhabiting the natural habitat strongly differed from the energized and unenergized cable community exhibiting the fewest species and individuals.

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“…Gill et al [79] identified eight migratory fish species sensitive to electromagnetic fields, including the European eel Anguilla anguilla, the Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and the Yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares. Limited in situ data are available about the actual effects on fish, which rely on magnetic fields for migration; however, several studies in the Baltic Sea have indicated that the swimming speed of European eels is reduced in the vicinity of underwater electric cables [78,80]. However, due to the limited availability of empirical studies, it is difficult to theorize the extent of the impacts that electro-magnetic fields have on Mediterranean marine species and their fecundity.…”

Section: Potential Effects On Mediterranean Fish Communitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expected Effects of Offshore Wind Farms on Mediterranean Marine Life

Bray

Reizopoulou

Voukouvalas

et al. 2016

JMSE

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Current climate policy and issues of energy security mean wind farms are being built at an increasing rate to meet energy demand. As wind farm development is very likely in the Mediterranean Sea, we provide an assessment of the offshore wind potential and identify expected biological effects of such developments in the region. We break new ground here by identifying potential offshore wind farm (OWF) "hotspots" in the Mediterranean. Using lessons learned in Northern Europe, and small-scale experiments in the Mediterranean, we identify sensitive species and habitats that will likely be influenced by OWFs in both these hotspot areas and at a basin level. This information will be valuable to guide policy governing OWF development and will inform the industry as and when environmental impact assessments are required for the Mediterranean Sea.

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Sub‐sea power cables and the migration behaviour of the European eel

Cited by 75 publications

References 10 publications

Effects of an offshore wind farm on temporal and spatial patterns in the demersal fish community

Effects of an offshore wind farm on temporal and spatial patterns in the demersal fish community

A Comparison of Fishes and Invertebrates Living in the Vicinity of Energized and Unenergized Submarine Power Cables and Natural Sea Floor off Southern California, USA

Expected Effects of Offshore Wind Farms on Mediterranean Marine Life

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