Abstract
What you should know:
- Climate change is causing oceans to warm. This warming can cause sea level rise and can cause some fish species move to different areas, both of which have widespread ecosystem impacts and impacts to fish and ocean invertebrate species.
- Higher concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere also makes the oceans more acidic, which makes it difficult for shellfish to build strong shells and puts several types of marine life at risk.
- Offshore wind activities during different phases of project development can have different impacts on fish and species of marine invertebrates (e.g., zooplankton, shellfish, squid). While the impact is temporary, species that live on or just below the ocean floor can be heavily impacted by seabed disturbances during construction. Localized changes to habitat surrounding offshore wind turbines or cables can also have variable impacts.
- Species that communicate using sound can be affected by noise generated during construction (i.e., vessel traffic and pile-driving activities). Technology applications and installation methods can reduce the intensity of noise and mitigate these effects.
- Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from unprotected submarine power cables can cause short-term changes in behavior in some species. However, these cables are typically buried or protected by rock, which reduces the intensity and localized effects of EMF.
- Construction and development best practices are used to mitigate potential negative effects, and new techniques are being developed to better address these issues. In addition, restorative measures can be taken to return habitats to their original state, and the artificial reef effects of turbine structures often improve localized biodiversity and ecosystem health.