After seven months of data gathering, researchers have successfully recorded the first dolphin encounter using a pioneering combination of marine monitoring technologies.
The minute long montage extracted from a half hour period of activity marks a significant milestone in efforts to safeguard marine wildlife during the development of Ynys Môn tidal energy scheme, Morlais. The breakthrough has come thanks to work carried out as part of the Marine Characterisation Research Project (MCRP), led by north Wales social enterprise, Menter Môn.
For the first time sonar and audio equipment has been successfully combined with surface and underwater cameras to monitor marine mammals in real time. It is hoped that the technology, developed through a partnership between UK and US innovation teams and driven by Menter Môn, can now be prepared for commercial rollout.
Andy Billcliff, Chief Executive of Menter Môn Morlais Ltd said: "This achievement is a turning point in how we approach environmental stewardship in marine energy.
"By proving that we can monitor wildlife effectively without disrupting their habitat and behaviour patterns, we are laying the groundwork for responsible innovation. The collaboration across borders and sectors shows what's possible when sustainability is put at the heart of a development like this."
Funded by The Crown Estate and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), the initiative supports the growth of the tidal energy industry whilst safeguarding marine mammals. The time it took to record any dolphin activity in the Morlais zone has confirmed initial assessments, that dolphins are relatively infrequent in this area. Now that footage has been captured it is also being used to refine the AI detection technology used for the system.
Sol Anitua, Head of Infrastructure and Energies, Marine at The Crown Estate, said: "The Crown Estate's vision is to create the most attractive and sustainable marine economy and environment in the world. For the team at Morlais to achieve a global first in the way data has been collected and used to support a project within the tidal sector, but which could have much wider potential application within other marine sectors, is fantastic.
"The collection and innovative use of high-quality data and evidence is crucial in enabling better understanding of how we can find the balance between marine energy infrastructure development and nature protection and restoration. It's encouraging to see such a collaborative effort delivering practical tools that will give investors and developers greater confidence in the potential of this exciting sector in the UK."
The next steps include combining data from the different sensors to attempt to identify different species of marine mammals. This will allow a better understanding of the way that different animals behave around these ocean energy technologies.
As well as The Crown Estate and Menter Môn Morlais Ltd, project partners include marine technology specialists, Seiche and MarineSitu. Once fully developed, it is hoped the technology can also be used for offshore wind projects and other industries looking to reduce their impact on marine wildlife.
Video and audio file of captured activity - https://we.tl/t-zrRYFlRenA
Notes
- Menter Môn is a social enterprise which works across Wales to deliver a range of regeneration, environmental and cultural projects for the benefit of local communities. By working in partnership with government, the third sector, business and individuals, Menter Môn attracts funding from different sources to add value and to contribute to creating a sustainable future.
- Morlais is Menter Môn's tidal stream energy project. It manages an area of 35Km² of the seabed near Ynys Cybi (Holy Island), Ynys Môn (Anglesey). The scheme has the potential to generate up to 240MW of low carbon clean electricity. In 2014, the Crown Estate designated this area of seabed off the coast of Ynys Cybi as the West Anglesey Demonstration Zone for tidal energy. This is the area we now know as Morlais. The intention in designating the zone was to encourage the growth of the tidal energy sector.
- MCRP is a research and development project that will ensure the safe phased deployment of tidal energy turbines in the Morlais zone. Working with a team of experts, the project will develop an Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan to safeguard marine wildlife. The findings will subsequently be available for future marine renewable energy projects to enable the growth of tidal stream energy.
- The Crown Estate has a diverse £16bn portfolio that includes urban centres and development opportunities. It also manages the seabed and much of the coastline around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, playing a major role in the UK's world leading offshore energy sector.
Through its activities and investments, The Crown Estate creates environmental, social and financial value both for now and into the long term. This includes:
- Playing a significant role in unlocking renewable energy for millions of homes through sectors such as offshore wind and creating opportunities for new technologies like CCUS and hydrogen to deliver the UK's energy security transition, resulting in thousands of jobs for communities across the UK.
- Supporting the sustainable transformation of land use in the UK through diversified, regenerative agricultural and environmental best practice alongside a thriving natural world.
- Becoming recognised as a centre of excellence for environmental and ecological best practice across the UK Estate.
- Identifying and creating opportunities for thriving and resilient communities across the country to support regeneration, housing and innovation.
The Crown Estate and Menter Môn are working together to provide access to environmental survey data gathered off the coast of Ynys Môn through the Marine Data Exchange (MDE). It is the first of its kind and a world leading digital platform of industry survey data, research and evidence that was created by The Crown Estate in 2013. For more information on the Marine Data Exchange Providing the world's largest resource of marine industry survey data | The Crown Estate
