PLEA TO OFFSHORE WIND COMPANIES OVER WELFARE OF MARINE BIRDS

       ENDANGERED SPECIES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO LOSS  OF PRECIOUS HABITAT

A CALL has come for offshore windfarm developers in the United States to help fund both seabird conservation and independent research.

Before new projects are approved, the American Bird Conservancy believes there needs to be predictive mapping to determine whether there are any high-risk areas from which turbines should be excluded.

Hotspots would, for example, include foraging areas, migration routes or other zones where birds congregate.

The ABC  is currently making representations in respect of projects off the states of  California and Washington where species such as the marbled murrelet have been identified as being at risk.

In the past, it has made similar recommendations in respect of wind energy schemes off the coasts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts where endangered roseate terns have been imperilled.

Says Holly Govert, of ABC: “We support the effort to combat climate change through responsible renewable energy development, and we believe that birds and wind power can coexist if the wind industry adopts practices and standards that protect birds

“By assessing these sites, high-risk areas where wind development will endanger seabirds can be avoided.”

She continues: “Birds are susceptible not only to collisions with wind turbines, but also habitat loss from the displacement caused by these installations .

“Independent, transparent studies should be designed to improve the monitoring and minimisation of bird impacts through scientifically rigorous surveys and the innovation of detection and deterrent technology.”

Agreement comes from her colleague, Hannah Nevins, who says: “Marine birds are integral components of marine ecosystems and valuable to a vibrant coastal tourism economy.”

The ABC is in ongoing discussion with the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to ensure that the integrity of seabird populations is not disregarded.

The largest windfarm developer in the USA is a British company, BP.

The Danish company, Orsted, which is the largest wind energy developer in UK waters, also has extensive interests in American oceans.  

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* The important campaigning work of the American Bird Conservancy is acknowledged in A FAULT TO NATURE - recently published (price 0.99) as an e-book on Amazon/Kindle 
 

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