Impact of Offshore Wind Farm Sub-sea Cable B-fields on Important Crustacean Species

Electromagnetic fields generated by offshore wind farm sub-sea cables are one of the least researched environmental threats considered in all Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for offshore wind farm development. The most significant contribution in this context is made by the B-field component of the electromagnetic field (CMACS, 2005). A pilot study investigating the behaviour of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, when exposed to B-fields simulating those in the vicinity of offshore wind farm sub-sea cables showed statistical significant changes in responses to key behavioural indicators. Building on these findings, this proposal is concerned with an integrated research project investigating the electromagnetic properties of offshore wind farm sub-sea cables and any impacts they may pose to commercially important crustacean species. Another important N. Sea fishery species is the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa, which spends up to 3 years of its life in coastal regions. This demersal (near bottom dwelling) species potentially may be affected by perturbation in magnetic fields caused by sub-sea cables. It has been shown that plaice transplanted to unfamiliar areas tended to orient towards their capture site giving support that this species uses the magnetic field of the Earth as a navigational tool (Metcalfe et al, 2006). The results of the proposed study may, therefore, have wider relevance to other commercially important species like the plaice. The study will focus on aspects that potentially threaten the utilisation of offshore wind farm energy which is considered an extremely important enabling technology in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (Rodmell & Johnson, 2005). The research will require the collaboration of electrical engineers (EE), marine biologists (MB), offshore engineers (OE) and neuroscientists (NS) from both the academic and industry sectors.