A modelling evaluation of electromagnetic fields emitted by buried subsea power cables and encountered by marine animals: Considerations for marine renewable energy development

The expanding marine renewable energy industry will increase the prevalence of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from power cables in coastal waters. Assessments environmental impacts are required within licensing/permitting processes and increased questions concerning EMF emissions potential cumulative impacts. It is presumed that protecting a cable by burial, may also mitigate on species. Focussing bundled high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission cable, we use computational interpretive models to explore influence properties burial depth DC magnetic field (DC-MF) potentially encountered receptive Greater pair separation deviations geomagnetic while deeper reduced deviations, DC-MF was present at intensities perceivable An animal moving along route be exposed variable EMFs due varied combined with an animal's position water column determines distance source exposure. Modelling contextually realistic scenarios would improve assessments effects. We suggest developers industries make data available, enabling modelling assessment supporting future developments.