Scotland Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy - Consultation Response

In responding to the Scottish Government consulation on an Updated Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy, the IOA consider the draft plan allows for suitable provision for the mitigation of airborne and underwater noise, and that existing practices for monitoring and regulating noise impacts are sufficient.  Our response suggests amending the draft to cover mitigation methods for piling noise that may impact people. It also notes that a number of similar statements are made relating to the potential for effects on marine mammals due to displacement or barrier effects as a result of underwater noise. Given potential effects on marine mammals are not limited to displacement and barrier effects,  the IOA recommends that broader terminology is adopted to account for the range of potential effects that marine mammals could be subject to. 

Full response