Fish

The Monitoring programme studies the impact of the wind farm on local fish communities at the site as well as impact of the wind farm on fish populations in the North Sea. Part of this is the wind farm’s function as a refuge, because the area will be off limits to fishing. This may influence the fish population. The studies on fish are subdivided into:

• Study of demersal fish (benthic fish)
• Study of pelagic fish (other fish)

Baseline results
The first baseline report on pelagic fish, carried out by a consortium formed by Alterra / RIVO, was published in July 2004. The first baseline report on demersal fish, carried out by a consortium formed by Royal Haskoning / TNO / RIVO, was published in October 2004. These reports provide information on the research methods used as well as on the results obtained.

Baseline studies on fish had to answer the following questions:

• Which species and quantities of fish utilise the wind farm site?
• What is the level and nature of underwater noise in a situation without a wind farm?
• What is the sensitivity of fish to noise, or more specifically: what is the interaction between fish and the noise and vibrations caused by turbines?

Effect studies
Surveys are being conducted in order to determine changes in the fish community. The times when individual fish and fish schools are present in the wind farm area are determined. Field work is planned for 2007, 2008 and 2011.

Downloads

• Base line studies wind farm for demersal fish
• Base line studies North Sea wind farms: Final report pelagic fish
• Data nulmetingen demersale vis
• Data nulmetingen pelagische vis
• Strategy of approach baseline survey demersal fish
• Refugium Effects of the MEP-NSW Windpark on Fish: Progress Report 2007
• Strategy of approach baseline survey pelagic fish
• OWEZ - pelagic fish, progress report and progression after T1