In a regulatory context, the significance of the disturbance caused by wind-farm construction noise is related to the consequences for the affected population . Evidence is growing, based on the distance and duration of disturbance during piling, and it is well established that porpoises will return to the site soon after construction is completed . Understanding the consequences of this temporary disturbance on the survival and reproduction of the affected individuals, and ultimately the viability of the population, is a significant challenge . Within the joint industry-funded DEPONS project (Disturbance Effects on the Harbour Porpoise Population in the North Sea), the Danish Centre for Environment and Energy (DCE) at Aarhus University is currently developing an individual-based model to address this question about the porpoise population in the North Sea14 . Research and monitoring that could help further strengthen the development and application of this model would be valuable and could include, among other things, tagging and improved monitoring of porpoises in the North Sea to enhance understanding of their movement and distribution patterns, population size, and development . Megavind’s recommendations concerning marine mammals • Study the effect on harbour porpoises of piling noise in terms of temporary hearing loss • Conduct studies to improve understanding of the harbour porpoise population in areas where many wind farms are installed, such as the North Sea, in terms of numbers, distribution, and movement patterns . MEGAVIND Courtesy of Fjord & Bælt, Florian Graner 14 DEPONS webpage at DCE Aarhus University; http://depons.au.dk/ 24
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