Practical Approaches for Providing Empirical Data on Seabird Behavior and Prey Assemblages in Tidal Channels

Persisting knowledge gaps relating to the ecological context and potential environmental impacts of marine renewable energy (MRE) devices continue add substantial costs uncertainty MRE projects globally. Increasingly sophisticated technological approaches monitoring can have fundamental non-trivial shortcomings for impact assessment (EIA), whilst practical financial deployments prevent their application. For tidal stream (TSE) sector, there is a need cost-effective methods that provide site-specific information on predator behavior associated prey assemblages. Considering existing animal communities in channel environments, proportional approach using shore-based observation baited fish trap was developed. During April 2021, trial these conducted environments Shetland, UK. The application proposed demonstrated here with results from three channels including Bluemull Sound, site active TSE installations (the Shetland Tidal Array). Observation across study sites are reported great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo European shag aristotelis . Seabird diving data calculated observations provided metrics relevant informing EIA collision risk modelling dive duration, dives per minute, % time underwater. Fish targeted benthic demersal predators range depths hydrodynamic conditions. A variety invertebrate species known be important components benthic-foraging seabird diet were successfully captured by traps, providing basic biological assemblages observed each site. highest abundance saithe Pollachius virens cod Gadus morhua Benefits, limitations, applications this discussed along various factors performance both methods. rapidly identified patterns foraging activity which informed deployment traps complementary data. This novel combined has reduce supporting responsible development industry.