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In a bid to validate offshore fish environmental DNA (eDNA) survey strategies, a brand new venture has been launched – stated to be the primary of its variety to trial the usage of eDNA to enhance survey strategies for offshore wind farm environmental influence assessments.
Michelle Elliott, the Senior Environmental Guide main the venture on behalf of renewable power consultancy and repair supplier Pure Energy, stated: “There may be important proof for eDNA offering sturdy information on fish range in nearshore environments, however only a few research exist additional offshore, and to our data, there was no work investigating eDNA strategies for fish ecology evaluation close to industrial offshore wind farms. We imagine this analysis has big potential advantages and can result in marketable alternatives inside the marine power sector.”
Described as a non-invasive sampling method, eDNA makes use of samples that may be collected from a variety of vessels and has the potential to ship auditable, sturdy information, probably changing extra harmful strategies.
One of many venture companions, NatureMetrics, presents itself as a pioneer in utilizing environmental eDNA to establish fish species around the globe. This ground-breaking method is predicated on the truth that all species shed waste merchandise, pores and skin and tissue cells into the seawater – and so they all comprise the underlying DNA of the fish. Amassing and filtering a couple of litres of seawater concentrates the DNA, which might then be processed within the NatureMetrics lab to establish all of the completely different fish species current. It means there isn’t a have to bodily catch and even see the fish to know they’re there. It’s a a lot faster, cheaper, safer, scalable, and extra dependable method than conventional survey strategies.
Dr Samuel Stanton, World Sector Head, Marine and Power at NatureMetrics, stated: “I’m trying ahead to exhibiting how eDNA strategies may also help corporations within the marine power sector monitor nature cheaply, shortly, repeatably, and at giant scale. Now we have already efficiently demonstrated that eDNA will detect extra fish species than standard web survey strategies for a coastal fish survey in Sweden. I’m assured our expertise may also help renewable power corporations higher handle nature-related dangers and transition to a nature constructive financial system.”
Total, this technique ought to assist to cut back the prices of offshore wind developments; lowering total price of power manufacturing while additionally minimising the environmental influence, and due to this fact serving to to fulfill the UK’s 2050 net-zero goal.
In help of the initiative, EDF Renewables is offering entry to the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator (BOD) for the analysis venture to happen.
BOD, which is operated by EDF Renewables, has already validated revolutionary strategies on the website via the primary profitable float and submerge gravity base foundations used on an offshore wind farm. Pure Energy has supplied a variety of companies on the website all through the final decade, together with pre and post-consent fish ecological surveys.
Scott Sutherland, Head of Offshore at EDF Renewables, stated: “We imagine that eDNA strategies have the potential to cut back limitations in consenting for offshore wind farm tasks sooner or later via extra focused baseline information assortment, mitigation, and monitoring measures. If such strategies may be validated inside the offshore atmosphere as a viable various to conventional fish survey strategies, it could have important advantages to each the developer and stakeholder communities, and we’re desperate to glean the insights from this precious analysis work.”
With help from EDF Renewables, and utilising NatureMetrics’ eDNA specialists, the analysis venture will begin in March 2022. Surveys will likely be performed utilizing conventional fish trawling strategies in addition to eDNA sampling across the BOD website. Comparability of the eDNA outcomes with concurrent trawl information and with historic fish neighborhood information will likely be undertaken offering a sturdy evaluation and validation of the method.
Dr Samuel Stanton added: “We’re delighted to be working alongside Pure Energy and EDF Renewables to assist advance strategies and insights, and imagine it provides a real-world growth alternative for making use of eDNA strategies within the offshore renewables trade.”
The workforce predicts a variety of extra environmental advantages from this venture, comparable to the gathering of information on key marine mammal species, just like the Minke whale, the place info on seasonal occurrences shouldn’t be properly understood resulting from their inconspicuous nature. This can be utilized in wider ecological monitoring and to higher inform marine spatial planning for offshore power manufacturing and different sectors.
The result of this analysis will type a scientific paper and formal public presentation of findings alongside suggestions for future industrial use.
The 18-month venture has acquired an innovation grant of £33, 918, from the Offshore Wind Development Partnership
(OWGP). The grant covers 50% of the whole venture price with Pure Energy and NatureMetrics offering important in-kind contributions and EDF Renewables contributing financial funding.
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