Frontline
Impacts of FLOW on Celtic Sea Ocean Fronts and Biodiversity
Lead Principal Investigator: Stephen Votier, Heriot-Watt University
Overview
FLOW has the potential to accelerate global net zero targets but, as it ventures into deeper, seasonally stratified shelf seas, the associated non-static infrastructure could have profound consequences for ocean physics, key ecosystem drivers and extend to top predators and fisheries via impacts on ocean fronts. Ocean fronts are persistent, highly productive, dynamic boundaries between stratified and mixed waters which create critically important marine biodiversity hotspots, valuable fishing grounds and are fundamental for the climate system.
Our vision is to explore potential FLOW infrastructure impacts on shelf sea ecosystem dynamics in the Celtic Sea, from ocean physics to phytoplankton, zooplankton, forage fish, top predators, and fisheries.
Image credit: [Insert here]
Develop a mechanistic understanding of water column physics, chemistry, and biology in relation to natural-driven and FLOW-driven variation based on a combination of in-situ and high-resolution satellite remote sensing of fronts.
Objectives
Quantify the indirect effects of FLOW via fronts on the Celtic Sea marine predator community variation in timing, strength, and persistence of ocean fronts on Celtic Sea marine predators in terms of community-level distribution and abundance, population-specific distribution and species-specific fine-scale behaviour.
Quantify the potential direct effects of FLOW (which are likely to be quite different compared with well-studied fixed-position wind farms) on seabirds in terms of displacement, barrier effects and collision risk above and below water.
Determine the potential impact of FLOW-drive change in fishery distribution patterns on marine predators, benthic biodiversity, as well as the fishing industry. the social and economic implications.
Frontline will deliver new insights into ecosystem-level impacts of FLOW development, while providing advice for mitigating environmental impacts and offering new ways to promote nature recovery. The results will feed into strategic compensation and explore the value of ocean fronts as priority conservation areas. Outputs such as maps of front dynamics, wildlife movement corridors, fishing area hotspots and critical foraging habitats, will provide risk layers for marine spatial planning, FLOW site selection and assisting marine stakeholder coexistence.
Impact
Frontline Team
Heriot-Watt University
Marine Biological Association
Plymouth Marine Laboratory
University of Plymouth
University of Oxford
HiDef Aerial Surveying
University of Liverpool
Frontline Partners
Blue Gem Wind
Natural England
Natural Resources Wales
Welsh Fisherman’s Association
Celtic Sea Power
Marine Management Organisation
Flotation Energy
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
