Potential Effects of Wave Energy Potential Effects of Wave Energy Development on Marine Fish and Development on Marine Fish and

InvertebratesInvertebrates

Mike DonnellanMike DonnellanMarine Habitat Project LeaderMarine Habitat Project Leader

Oregon Department of Fish and WildlifeOregon Department of Fish and WildlifeMarine Resources ProgramMarine Resources Program

Unknowns Unknowns –– Wave Energy DevelopmentsWave Energy Developments

•• Technology in infancy Technology in infancy -- no precedentsno precedents•• No fish/invert studies for Wave Energy Conversion (WEC) No fish/invert studies for Wave Energy Conversion (WEC) pilot projects, but some analogs:pilot projects, but some analogs:

•• oil rigsoil rigs••artificial reefsartificial reefs••offshore wind farms in UKoffshore wind farms in UK

•• WEC device type (in early stages)WEC device type (in early stages)•• WEC development scaleWEC development scale•• Location (onshore/offshore, alongshore)Location (onshore/offshore, alongshore)•• Development durationDevelopment duration

Unknowns Unknowns –– BiologicalBiological

•• Species distribution and abundanceSpecies distribution and abundance•• Habitat preferencesHabitat preferences•• Movements (home range and migratory)Movements (home range and migratory)•• Age and growth ratesAge and growth rates•• Natural and fishing mortality ratesNatural and fishing mortality rates•• Physiological tolerances (e.g., EMF, acoustics, toxicity)Physiological tolerances (e.g., EMF, acoustics, toxicity)•• Reproductive ratesReproductive rates•• Larval dispersal distancesLarval dispersal distances•• Recruitment limited Recruitment limited vsvs unlimited populationsunlimited populations•• Population dynamics, connectivityPopulation dynamics, connectivity•• Ecological interactions Ecological interactions

Unknowns Unknowns –– PhysicalPhysical

•• HighHigh--resolution seafloor depth resolution seafloor depth •• wave energy development wave energy development sitingsiting•• refraction refraction –– diffraction wave diffraction wave modellingmodelling

•• Seafloor habitat typeSeafloor habitat type•• Sediment transportSediment transport•• Hypoxia spatial extent and intensityHypoxia spatial extent and intensity

Guiding ReferencesGuiding References

•• Hatfield Marine Science Center workshop (2007): Hatfield Marine Science Center workshop (2007): ““Ecological effects of wave energy development in the Ecological effects of wave energy development in the Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwest”” (Boehlert et al. 2008)(Boehlert et al. 2008)

•• PIER Final Project Report (2008): PIER Final Project Report (2008): ““Developing wave energy Developing wave energy in coastal California: potential socioin coastal California: potential socio--economic and economic and environmental effectsenvironmental effects”” (Nelson et al. 2008)(Nelson et al. 2008)

““StressorsStressors”” (agents of +/(agents of +/-- environmental change associated with WEC devices)environmental change associated with WEC devices)

•• Energy absorbing structuresEnergy absorbing structures•• Chemical effectsChemical effects•• New hard structures and lightingNew hard structures and lighting•• Acoustics Acoustics •• Electromagnetic effectsElectromagnetic effects

Direct Direct vsvs Indirect EffectsIndirect Effects

•• Direct effect:Direct effect: causal relationship between an independent causal relationship between an independent

variable and a dependent variablevariable and a dependent variable

•• Indirect effect:Indirect effect: relationship between an independent relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable via mediation by a third variable and a dependent variable via mediation by a third explanatory variableexplanatory variable

Linear Linear vsvs NonNon--linear effectslinear effects

Stressor (e.g., # of WEC devices)

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Example derived from Lohse et. al. 2008

““ReceptorsReceptors”” (specific elements of the ecosystem where the potential for a de(specific elements of the ecosystem where the potential for a demonstrable monstrable

response to WEC development may exist)response to WEC development may exist)

•• Pelagic speciesPelagic species

•• Fish/commercially important speciesFish/commercially important species

•• Benthic speciesBenthic species

•• Pelagic speciesPelagic species•• MeroplanktonMeroplankton•• HolozooplanktonHolozooplankton•• MysidsMysids•• Jellyfish & ctenophoresJellyfish & ctenophores•• Market squidMarket squid•• SharksSharks•• Migratory fishesMigratory fishes•• Forage fishesForage fishes•• Juvenile salmonJuvenile salmon•• Ocean sunfish (Ocean sunfish (MolaMola molamola))

ReceptorsReceptors

Source: Boehlert et al. 2008

•• Pelagic speciesPelagic species•• Benthic speciesBenthic species

•• Fouling communityFouling community•• PolychaetePolychaete wormsworms•• MolluscsMolluscs•• Crustacean Crustacean infauna/epifaunainfauna/epifauna•• Echinoderm Echinoderm infauna/epifaunainfauna/epifauna•• Pacific Pacific sandlancesandlance

ReceptorsReceptors

Source: Boehlert et al. 2008

•• Pelagic speciesPelagic species•• Benthic speciesBenthic species•• Fish/commercially important speciesFish/commercially important species

•• Market squidMarket squid•• Dungeness crabDungeness crab•• Pink shrimpPink shrimp•• SharksSharks•• Salmon and steelheadSalmon and steelhead•• Albacore tunaAlbacore tuna•• Smelts, herring, sardines, anchoviesSmelts, herring, sardines, anchovies•• Rockfish, lingcodRockfish, lingcod•• Other Other demersaldemersal roundfishesroundfishes•• FlatfishFlatfish•• Skates and raysSkates and rays•• Green sturgeonGreen sturgeon

ReceptorsReceptors

Source: Boehlert et al. 2008

Wave Processes & the Nearshore CommunityWave Processes & the Nearshore Community

Source: Lohse et al. 2008

Source: Lohse et al. 2008

Wave Processes and the Nearshore CommunityWave Processes and the Nearshore Community

Source:

Lohse et al. 2008

Linear Linear vsvs NonNon--linear effectslinear effects

Source: Lohse et. al. 2008

Linear Linear vsvs NonNon--linear effectslinear effects

Source: Lohse et. al. 2008

Key FindingsKey Findings

•• Nearshore (<100 m) sensitive, productive (esp. <40 m)Nearshore (<100 m) sensitive, productive (esp. <40 m)•• No clear indications of dramatic ecological impactsNo clear indications of dramatic ecological impacts•• 2 types of ecological impacts due to: 1) WEC infrastructure 2 types of ecological impacts due to: 1) WEC infrastructure and operation, & 2) wave energy attenuation inshoreand operation, & 2) wave energy attenuation inshore•• Most important biological effects in operational phaseMost important biological effects in operational phase•• Fish Attraction Device (FAD) & artificial reef effect likelyFish Attraction Device (FAD) & artificial reef effect likely

Photo: Scott Geitler

Squarespot rockfish and bocaccio under offshore oil rig. Long Beach, CA

Key FindingsKey Findings

•• Nearshore (<100 m) sensitive, productive (esp. <40 m)Nearshore (<100 m) sensitive, productive (esp. <40 m)•• No clear indications of dramatic ecological impactsNo clear indications of dramatic ecological impacts•• 2 types of ecological impacts due to: 1) WEC infrastructure 2 types of ecological impacts due to: 1) WEC infrastructure and operation, & 2) wave energy attenuation inshoreand operation, & 2) wave energy attenuation inshore•• Most important biological effects in operational phaseMost important biological effects in operational phase•• Fish Attraction Device (FAD) & artificial reef effect likelyFish Attraction Device (FAD) & artificial reef effect likely•• Likely effects on benthic & pelagic community structure & Likely effects on benthic & pelagic community structure & foodwebfoodweb due to habitat conversion (soft to hard, 2D to 3Ddue to habitat conversion (soft to hard, 2D to 3D

Key FindingsKey Findings

•• Nearshore (<100 m) sensitive, productive (esp. <40 m)Nearshore (<100 m) sensitive, productive (esp. <40 m)•• No clear indications of dramatic ecological impactsNo clear indications of dramatic ecological impacts•• 2 types of ecological impacts due to: 1) WEC infrastructure 2 types of ecological impacts due to: 1) WEC infrastructure and operation, & 2) wave energy attenuation inshoreand operation, & 2) wave energy attenuation inshore•• Most important biological effects in operational phaseMost important biological effects in operational phase•• Fish Attraction Device (FAD) & artificial reef effect likelyFish Attraction Device (FAD) & artificial reef effect likely•• Likely effects on benthic & pelagic community structure & Likely effects on benthic & pelagic community structure & foodwebfoodweb due to habitat conversion (soft to hard, 2D to 3D)due to habitat conversion (soft to hard, 2D to 3D)•• Heavy fouling of WEC infrastructure likelyHeavy fouling of WEC infrastructure likely

Photo: Megan Sheridan

Key FindingsKey Findings

•• Nearshore (<100 m) sensitive, productive (esp. <40 m)Nearshore (<100 m) sensitive, productive (esp. <40 m)•• No clear indications of dramatic ecological impactsNo clear indications of dramatic ecological impacts•• 2 types of ecological impacts due to: 1) WEC infrastructure 2 types of ecological impacts due to: 1) WEC infrastructure and operation, & 2) wave energy attenuation inshoreand operation, & 2) wave energy attenuation inshore•• Most important biological effects in operational phaseMost important biological effects in operational phase•• Fish Attraction Device (FAD) & artificial reef effect likelyFish Attraction Device (FAD) & artificial reef effect likely•• Likely effects on benthic & pelagic community structure & Likely effects on benthic & pelagic community structure & foodwebfoodweb due to habitat conversion (soft to hard, 2D to 3D)due to habitat conversion (soft to hard, 2D to 3D)•• Heavy fouling of WEC infrastructure likelyHeavy fouling of WEC infrastructure likely•• Enrichment and modification of benthic habitat by Enrichment and modification of benthic habitat by cleared/dead fouling organisms likelycleared/dead fouling organisms likely

Key Findings, contKey Findings, cont’’dd

•• Adverse effect of toxic antiAdverse effect of toxic anti--fouling paint on plankton possible; fouling paint on plankton possible; likely for benthic communities; may biolikely for benthic communities; may bio--accumulateaccumulate

•• EMF may disorient species that use electric or magnetic fields EMF may disorient species that use electric or magnetic fields for for feeding/navigation feeding/navigation

•• Possible disruptions to migrations of Possible disruptions to migrations of salmonidssalmonids, D. crab, green , D. crab, green sturgeon, and sharks by WEC infrastructure, EMF, acoustics, or sturgeon, and sharks by WEC infrastructure, EMF, acoustics, or chemicalschemicals

•• Larval recruitment to structures likely, but probably unimportaLarval recruitment to structures likely, but probably unimportant nt unless species is recruitmentunless species is recruitment--limited limited

Photo: Scott Groth

Young-of-year rockfish in Nereocystis kelp forest. Port Orford, OR

Photo: Ric Brodeur, NOAA

Brachyuran crab megalopae in salmon stomach

Key Findings, contKey Findings, cont’’dd

•• Adverse effect of toxic antiAdverse effect of toxic anti--fouling paint on plankton possible; fouling paint on plankton possible; likely for benthic communities; may biolikely for benthic communities; may bio--accumulateaccumulate

•• EMF may disorient species that use electric or magnetic fields EMF may disorient species that use electric or magnetic fields for for feeding/navigation feeding/navigation

•• Possible disruptions to migrations of Possible disruptions to migrations of salmonidssalmonids, D. crab, green , D. crab, green sturgeon, and sharks by WEC infrastructure, EMF, acoustics, or sturgeon, and sharks by WEC infrastructure, EMF, acoustics, or chemicalschemicals

•• Larval recruitment to structures likely, but probably unimportaLarval recruitment to structures likely, but probably unimportant nt unless species is recruitmentunless species is recruitment--limited limited

•• Increased predation on outIncreased predation on out--migrating and juvenile migrating and juvenile salmonidssalmonids due due to FAD effect possible (effects on fall Chinook > Coho)to FAD effect possible (effects on fall Chinook > Coho)

Key Findings , contKey Findings , cont’’dd

•• Jellyfish entanglement likely Jellyfish entanglement likely

•• WEC parks may serve as de facto Marine Protected AreasWEC parks may serve as de facto Marine Protected Areas

•• Significant impacts on benthic/intertidal biota likely if Significant impacts on benthic/intertidal biota likely if catastrophic infrastructure failurecatastrophic infrastructure failure

•• Wave energy attenuation and associated changes in Wave energy attenuation and associated changes in hydrodynamics and sediment transport likely to have hydrodynamics and sediment transport likely to have important ecological effects inshoreimportant ecological effects inshore

•• vertical vertical zonationzonation•• species distributionspecies distribution•• rates of growth, fertilization, dispersal & settlementrates of growth, fertilization, dispersal & settlement•• species relative abundancespecies relative abundance•• community structurecommunity structure

Key UncertaintiesKey Uncertainties•• Uncertainty of ecological effects with WEC project scaleUncertainty of ecological effects with WEC project scale

•• Linear Linear vsvs nonnon--linear biological effectslinear biological effects

•• EMF & hearing sensitivities of fishEMF & hearing sensitivities of fish

•• EMF effects on behavior, esp. on D. crab, green sturgeon, EMF effects on behavior, esp. on D. crab, green sturgeon, salmonidssalmonids, , elasmobranchselasmobranchs

•• Salmon Salmon smoltsmolt predation predation

•• Strength of FAD/artificial reef effectStrength of FAD/artificial reef effect

•• Inshore wave energy, hydrodynamics, sediment transportInshore wave energy, hydrodynamics, sediment transport

•• Probability of catastrophic infrastructure failureProbability of catastrophic infrastructure failure

•• Unanticipated effectsUnanticipated effects

Resolving Information Gaps and UncertaintiesResolving Information Gaps and Uncertainties

•• Seafloor bathymetry & habitat mappingSeafloor bathymetry & habitat mapping

•• Distribution and abundance surveysDistribution and abundance surveys

•• MensurativeMensurative field experiments (e.g., community structure field experiments (e.g., community structure vsvs wave exposure) wave exposure)

•• Baseline surveys of EMF, acoustics for pilot WEC projects Baseline surveys of EMF, acoustics for pilot WEC projects

•• Lab studies (e.g., EMF, acoustics, paint toxicity)Lab studies (e.g., EMF, acoustics, paint toxicity)

•• BACI field studies (e.g., organism abundance, migratory BACI field studies (e.g., organism abundance, migratory behavior, toxin accumulation)behavior, toxin accumulation)

BACI DesignBACI Design

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““IdealIdeal”” BACI DesignBACI Design

•• Multiple control sitesMultiple control sites•• Multiple impact sitesMultiple impact sites•• ““BeforeBefore”” datadata•• Temporal replication Temporal replication •• Sample sizeSample size•• Sample unit sizeSample unit size

Questions?Questions?

Primary ReferencesPrimary References

• Boehlert, G. W, G. R. McMurray, and C. E. Tortorici (editors). 2008. Ecological effects of wave energy in the Pacific Northwest. U.S. Dept. Commerce, NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS- F/SPO-92, 174 p.• Lohse, DP, RN Gaddam, and PT Raimondi. In Nelson et al 2008 (cited below).• Nelson PA, D Behrens, J Castle, G Crawford, RN Gaddam, SC Hackett, J Largier, DP Lohse, KL Mills, PT Raimondi, M Robart, WJ Sydeman, SA Thompson, S Woo. 2008. Developing Wave Energy In Coastal California: Potential Socio-Economic And Environmental Effects. California Energy Commission, PIER Energy Related Environmental Research Program & California Ocean Protection Council CEC-500-2008-083.