Effects of Wave Energy Generators on Nephrops norvegicus

Wave energy research is primarily focused on the technical developments of energy conversion but the parallel evaluation of environmental effects related to wave energy is also essential and reflects sustainable development of renewable energy. At the west coast of Sweden, 120 km north of Gothenburg, the Wave Energy Park “Sotenäs Project” is located. This area has been the location of environmental impact studies from wave energy generators on the macro crustacean species Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758), the Norway lobster. The Norway lobster is an ecologically as well as economically important species in Sweden and across Europe. The aim of this preliminary study was to detect possible positive or negative effects on numbers of individuals by the presence of the wave energy generators and the created “no take” zone. For that purpose, ROV aided seabed recordings of the characteristic Norway lobster burrow entrances were conducted inside the Wave Energy Park and respective control areas in 2016 and 2017. Preliminary results do not show a clear distinct result between the different transects and years. Long-term observations and complementary studies are necessary to draw conclusions and outweigh extreme and rare events of annual one-time samplings