Offshore Wind Power Projects in the Great Lakes - Ministry of ...

Offshore wind power projects in the Great Lakes: Background information and science considerations for
fish and fish habitat
at this point. Laboratory and modelling studies can contribute valuable information to enhance
predictions of the likelihood or magnitude of certain effects, and can be conducted with minimal
cost and low risk (see Table 4). These types of studies would therefore be worth initiating to fill
some of the gaps in our knowledge before developments begin. Models and conceptual desk-top
exercises also help considerably with understanding the mechanisms involved in producing a
particular environmental effect, identifying which knowledge gaps are particularly important to
fill, and clarifying what the question being asked is in the first place. However, as the experience
in the marine environment has shown, many offshore wind power project-related impacts can
only be understood and quantified through in situ environmental effects monitoring both during
and after construction. That is, we cannot fully understand the environmental impact that a wind
power project will have until we are able to study the response of the local system to the
construction and operation of an actual installation in the field.
As discussed above, individual research platforms and small-scale pilot projects could represent
the next step towards understanding certain local effects, testing the feasibility of different
mitigation measures related to construction activities, or evaluating the habitat creating potential
of different materials, for example. Ultimately, however, the greatest and most valuable
knowledge would be gained through focussed research and monitoring at commercial-scale
demonstration projects throughout the construction phase and over the long-term during
operation. Looking ahead, collaboration between government, industry and academic partners to
plan and initiate this type of project would be highly valuable.
Focussed research related to offshore wind effects on fish within a Great Lakes setting can also
help identify the need for or promote the development of targeted mitigation strategies. As
identified in this report, there are a variety options available to avoid or minimize a number of
impacts that could have negative consequences for local species and habitat resources. Of these,
the importance of selecting appropriate locations and abiding biologically relevant in-water
construction timing windows so as to reduce disturbance to critical habitat areas and sensitive
species or life stages must be emphasized. To be effective, this preventative strategy will require
more accurate estimates of current and historical abundance, more information related to
migratory corridors and seasonal movement patterns, and a better understanding of the habitat
and resource requirements, preferences and limitations of local Great Lakes fish species likely to
Aquatic Research and Development Section 101