Strategic Surveys of Seabirds off the West Coast of Lewis to Determine Use of Seaspace in Areas of Potential Marine Renewable Energy Developments

Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Vol 5 No 9

By 2020 the percentage of Scotland's energy coming from renewable sources will increase. Studies have identified that there is a need to research how offshore renewable developments affect wildlife populations. The surveys presented here will help to find out how one area of marine development, the west coast of Lewis, is used by waterbirds and marine mammals. Areas close to the Isle of Lewis have already been identified as being important for these groups of animals, through the Special Protection Areas (SPA) network.