The effects of pile driving on marine mammals and fish in Belgian waters
Haelters, J.; Debusschere, E.; Botteldooren, D.; Dulière, V.; Hostens, K.; Norro, A.; Vandendriessche, S.; Vigin, L.; Vincx, M.; Degraer, S. (2013). The effects of pile driving on marine mammals and fish in Belgian waters, in: Degraer, S. et al. (Ed.) Environmental impacts of offshore wind farms in the Belgian part of the North Sea: Learning from the past to optimise future monitoring programmes. pp. 71-77
In: Degraer, S.; Brabant, R.; Rumes, B. (Ed.) (2013). Environmental impacts of offshore wind farms in the Belgian part of the North Sea: Learning from the past to optimise future monitoring programmes. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), Operational Directorate Natural Environment, Marine Ecology and Management Section: Brussels. ISBN 978-90-9027-928-2. 239 pp.
Pile driving generates very high levels of low frequency impulsive underwater noise, with possible consequences for marine mammals and fish. To describe the effects of pile driving on harbour porpoises we developed a model based on the results of aerial surveys, which clearly pointed at disturbance effects. Especially fish with a swim bladder can be affected by piling operations, but the investigation of sub-lethal effects and the sensitivity of different fish species and life stages is complex. A multidisciplinary study is proposed to investigate these effects in the field and under controlled laboratory conditions.
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