Abstract
Rijkswaterstaat has requested Witteveen+Bos to provide an overview of the state of knowledge on this topic, to model the existing anthropogenic EMF levels in the North Sea, and to provide advice on if and how to implement EMF in the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Especially considering the speed of development of offshore wind, in combination with potential cumulative effects species occurring in the North Sea, it is important to quickly gain more knowledge about the potential effects of anthropogenic EMF on the marine environment. Since this is a relatively new field of research, not much is known about the impact of EMF on marine fauna. It is known that a broad range of marine species use the Earth’s magnetic field for orientation and migration, having an “internal compass” or even a “magnetic map”. In addition, elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are known to be sensitive to electric cues, for finding prey and conspecifics (potential mates). In this literature review, all relevant scientific literature on (the impact of) electromagnetic fields on different species groups occurring in the North Sea is collected, summarized and clarified in the light of the MSFD goals.
Overall this report aims to provide insight into the current status of the knowledge on electromagnetic fields and the potential impacts on the marine environment, assess the current state of EMF in the Dutch North Sea, in order to advise on implementation of EMF in Descriptor 11 of the Dutch Marine Strategy Framework Directive.