Key considerations for understanding impact of floating offshore wind on marine mammals published
A review article published today explores the current evidence on the impact of floating offshore wind on marine ecosystems and identifies the knowledge gaps requiring further research.
With significant expansion of floating offshore wind projects planned, both around the UK and further afield, understanding the impact on the marine environment is critically important.
But with only a small number of operational sites globally, few ecological studies have been conducted to assess their environmental impact. As a result, the effects on marine species, including mammals like dolphins, porpoises, whales and seals, remains largely unknown.
The by researchers at the 91视频网, the Scottish Association for Marine Science and the University of Aberdeen, published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin, explores both the potential positive and negative ecological effects of floating offshore wind on marine mammals. It also summarises the limited but growing body of research, identifying priority areas for future study to guide monitoring and reduce uncertainty.
Caitlin Harris, PhD researcher at the 91视频网 Environmental Research Institute, part of 91视频网 North, West and Hebrides, said: “Floating offshore wind will be key to meeting renewable energy and net zero goals, but dedicated research is essential to ensure its sustainable development. We hope this review provides a clear overview of current evidence from existing floating offshore wind sites and helps guide future research to support the sustainable expansion of the sector, while ensuring the protection of marine species.”
Research has already shown that the dynamic moorings used to anchor floating turbines change underwater noise, and, although unlikely to cause physiological damage to marine life, the broader impact on behaviour and habitat is not understood. Entanglement may also pose a risk to some species.
Meanwhile, structures have been found to attract some marine life, creating positive potential for feeding hotspots.
Key knowledge gaps continue to exist, though, including how structures influence the level of mixing in the ocean, which can affect primary production and the behaviour of marine species in and around structures, as well as the impact of operational activities like maintenance.
The review will form the framework for a much larger research project, ECOFlow EQUIFy, which will focus on delivering the critical evidence needed by government and industry to inform policy and decision making throughout the lifecycle of planned large-scale expansion of floating offshore wind, including the impact on marine ecosystems.
, added: “This review can help guide environmentally sustainable development of floating offshore wind as part of our renewable energy mix. We will continue to investigate these knowledge gaps, including in our ECOFlow EQUIFy project, seeking to reduce uncertainty in the consenting process.”
- C. Harris, S. Benjamins, B. Scott, B.J. Williamson (2025). The review has been made possible with grant funding from NERC Scottish Universities Partnership for Environmental Research (SUPER) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP).