Abstract
1.1 WOZEP
In 2015, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (EZ) decided to set up an integrated monitoring and research programme to study gaps in our knowledge relating to the impact of offshore wind farms on the ecosystem of the North Sea. This generic programme was established in response to a recommendation from Rijkswaterstaat (RWS), that knowledge gaps are primarily generic rather than specific for individual offshore wind farms (OWFs). This conclusion was based on research and monitoring set out for and executed during Round 1 and 2 OWFs. This led to the establishment of the Dutch Offshore Wind Ecological Programme (WOZEP). The scope set out by EZ to RWS was issued in late 2015 for the period 2016 to 2021. In the “Monitoring and Research Programme 2017-2021” (MRP), the outline of the complete research and monitoring programme for the period 2017-2021 is set out. The programme leaves room for flexibility where required. The first research projects were started in 2016. These projects were mostly studies on feasibility or inventories of current methods as preparation and input for the upcoming MRP 2017-2021 research period. The results of the studies in 2016 are used as input for the MRP 2017-2021.
1.2 Midterm evaluation
WOZEP is halfway through its first programme period and the management has asked Royal HaskoningDHV to execute a midterm evaluation. The objective of this midterm evaluation is to inform the Steering Group WOZEP about the current situation of the research projects, the changes that have occurred in the programme and planning, including the reasons for this and the future plans and adaptations that are foreseen. The list of future plans is not limitative and still in process. To draft this evaluation, Royal HaskoningDHV has interviewed the WOZEP team and five experts that have a relation with WOZEP, two experts have reviewed this evaluation document (see Table 1-1). In Chapter 2 the results of the interviews with the WOZEP team are used to describe the current situation and adaptations in the programme per species group. The results of the interviews with ‘external’ experts are mainly used in the general observations paragraph. In Chapter 3 general observations and overall conclusions are drawn. The results of this evaluation will be input to the WOZEP team, they will use it to improve the programme where needed. This means that WOZEP will decide what suggested improvements will receive follow-up.