Development of a framework for Appropriate Assessments of Dutch offshore wind farms

Describes the analysis of data on the distribution of birds and estimates of collision risks, distribution of marine mammals and fish and the effects of underwater sound, and the potential effects of offshore wind farms. The results indicate that, a priori, it is not possible to decide that nosignificant effects will occur on protected populations of birds and marine mammals. Site specific appropriate assessments are necessary to determine the effects of collisions on bird populations from Natura 2000 sites, and to determine the effects of pile driving on populations of Harbour seal, Gray seal and Harbour porpoise. Pile driving may also cause mortality of fish larvae and have an effect on the delivery of larvae of plaice, sole and herring to Natura 2000 sites along the Dutch coast.