So, what activities may impact on cetaceans? Well according to Marine Scotland:
The following activities have the potential, in certain situations, to be associated with the disturbance, injury and/or killing of cetaceans:
- Seismic and other geophysical/geotechnical surveys
- Construction works (including pile driving, rock dumping, cable and pipe laying)
- Marine renewable energy generation
- Military sonar
- Drilling
- Shipping and vessel movement
- Decommissioning activities involving the use of explosives
- Explosive use
- Recreational activities, including marine wildlife watching
- Acoustic deterrent devices
- Maintenance of navigational channels
- Research on cetaceansIt should be noted that there may be other marine activities that are not included in the list which may be associated with injury or disturbance of marine EPS. Marine users should therefore consider the potential impact of their activity when reading this guidance and consult Marine Scotland as necessary.
So, we have shipping and vessel movements amongst other activities including recreation. That’ why there is a code of conduct for marine wildlife watching. Will there be a code of conduct for STS? Will Marine Mammal Observers be deployed to ensure STS does not cause disturbance as would be the case during seismic surveys? We think not. Why not? Cost! Interestingly, other activities can also cause disturbance and it is recommended that Marine Scotland are consulted. That’s a bit of an issue given that they were consulted on STS by Intertek but chose not to respond. Why? Were gradually getting to the bottom of it. Watch this space.
