Offshore wind energy will play a vital role in Australia’s transition to net zero emissions by 2050. As the industry develops, effective, evidence-based mitigation will be important for managing impacts on marine mammals and supporting responsible project delivery.
Drawing on research and case studies from established offshore wind markets in the UK, Germany and the US, this presentation will explore mitigation strategies implemented to reduce impacts on marine mammals. It will focus on three key areas: (1) reducing underwater noise during construction, including soft-start procedures, and noise abatement technologies such as bubble curtains; (2) spatial and temporal planning to minimise disturbance and displacement; (3) the use of real-time monitoring and adaptive mitigation, including marine mammal observers and passive acoustic monitoring to inform construction activities.
The presentation will highlight both successes and ongoing challenges, including uncertainty in species responses and the practical limitations of mitigation measures in dynamic marine environments. Consideration will be given to how these approaches can be applied and adapted to the Australian context, considering local species and regulatory frameworks.
This presentation will provide an overview of how mitigation approaches developed in established offshore wind markets can inform practice in Australia, to support sustainable offshore wind development.