Effects of distance from a wave power park with no-take zone on Nephrops norvegicus abundance, size and burrow density

• The introduction of marine renewable energy parks often comes along with restrictions, such as prohibition of marine traffic or fishing. The Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus, is an ecologically relevant and economically important species, which potentially could benefit from such restrictions. This study investigated the effects of the no-take zone of a wave power park (0.8 km2) after its establishment (2014−2015), on the abundance, size, and burrow density of N. norvegicus on the west coast of Sweden. For four summers (2016−2018, 2020), the abundance and size of N. norvegicus was quantified by deployment of fishing cages inside the wave power park as well as along a 1230 m long transects to the east and west of it. Furthermore, the abundance of N. norvegicus burrows were recorded by a remote operating vehicle (ROV) along the same transects. N. norvegicus abundance, size and burrow density were expected to decrease with distance from the wave power park. During the study period, the number of N. norvegicus slightly increased, by 0.03 individuals every 100 m. Interannual variation of distance-dependent change in abundance resulted in up to 45.6 % fewer individuals in one km distance from the wave park in 2016 but in turn 25.8 % more individuals in one km distance from the wave park in 2018. Carapace length slightly decreased throughout the study, on average by 0.03 cm for every 100 m distance from the wave power park. Interannual variation of distance-dependent change in carapace length varied by one order of magnitude, resulting up to 10.6 % smaller individuals per km distance from the park in 2017. Overall, the number of N. norvegicus burrows decreased with distance, by 0.7 burrows every 100 m. Variation of distance-dependent change in burrow abundance resulted in 26.1 and 45.2 % more burrows in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The results suggest a benefit for the size and burrow density of N. norvegicus and a limited role for the number of individuals from the small and newly introduced incidental no-take zone of the Sotenäs Project wave power park. 

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Marine protected area; Marine renewable energy; Wave energy; Wave power; Cage fishing; ROV; Decapod; Benthos; Skagerrak; Norway lobster; Nephrops norvegicus

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)