Abstract
At present, all studies on the impact of offshore windfarms on pelagic fish are restricted to a narrow survey area of a localised windfarm and surrounding reference areas. The same applies for investigations at the alpha ventus offshore windfarm. These include surveys on the distribution of pelagic fish in alpha ventus and the surrounding area based on hydroacoustic measurements, addressing immediate attraction and repulsion effects of offshore windfarms. The effect of changes in food supply was addressed as a single effect by analysis of the gut content of pelagic fish in and outside alpha ventus. The study was performed over the period from August 2008 to April 2012. The survey covers a period before construction, during construction and during operation of the windfarm, in different seasons (spring, summer and autumn). The study further includes an evaluation of the survey methods, including development of a stationary measuring system for hydroacoustic long-term monitoring of fish.
Click here to view the book Ecological Research at the Offshore Windfarm alpha ventus: Challenges, Results and Perspectives.