A research project is breaking new ground as it monitors marine birds and mammals off the coast of Holyhead in preparation for the development of tidal energy project, Morlais.
Run by Anglesey-based social enterprise, Menter Môn, the Marine Characteristics Research Project (MCRP) is developing a name for itself globally for innovation in wildlife research. The project was set up to ensure tidal energy devices deployed in the Morlais zone are installed in a way which will not endanger birds and marine mammals in the area. As well as informing an environmental monitoring and mitigation plan for Morlais, findings will be made available to similar projects elsewhere in the future.
Working with experts from across the UK and beyond, the team has been using existing technology innovative ways. One example which has attracted attention in the sector is the use of solar panels and LoRaWAN technology to learn more about the behaviour of sea birds around well-known landmark, South Stack lighthouse.
The MCRP team has worked with the RSPB to create solar panels, small enough to fit on a bird’s leg which can power a device to communicate with onshore systems. LoRaWAN is a wirelessly technology that has been around for a few years, connecting battery powered devices to the internet.
Helen Roberts who works on the project, explains: “We have managed to create normal solar panels on a small enough scale with a 3D printer to fit on a tag which we attach to birds’ legs. With LoRaWAN technology also installed on the tag, the team will be able to monitor and research the behaviour of the birds in their habitats.
“This will be the first time this has ever been done anywhere in the world – we are looking forward to seeing the results. This and the tagging work already being done by academics from Swansea University will give us an exciting new insight into the feeding, diving, and migration patterns of birds off the coast of Holy Island. More importantly, in the context of this project, we will be able to monitor if there is a change in these patterns over the long term.”
The solar tagging is just one of the ways marine wildlife is being monitored in the area. MCRP has also just completed a process of tagging seals around the Anglesey coast. The seal tagging is being run in collaboration with local schools and is seen as a way of engaging local pupils in the work. The hope is that it can encourage a generation of young people to take an interest in local wildlife.
Clare Llywelyn also works on the project, she said: “By working with local schools and allowing pupils to ‘adopt’ seals, we hope to inspire them to take part in science and the work we are doing as we prepare for the development of Morlais tidal energy. Thanks to the technology we are using, the young people can follow and monitor a particular seal over a period.”
Another technology that is in use as part of MCRP is Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), with devices anchored around South Stack. PAM devices can follow the noise sea mammals make to learn about how they feed and where they swim.
Clare explains: “With little work having been done in the field so far, the results of our research here on Anglesey will be shared publicly so that other marine energy development worldwide can benefit. The sector is still quite new, so we hope to play a part in promoting growth in sustainable energy sector while ensuring the safety of wildlife.”
Menter Môn works with a network of leading academics and experts on MCRP. They include, Bangor, St Andrews and Swansea Universities, RSPB, Ocean Science Consulting, HR Wallingford, Subacoustech, MarineSpace and Juno Energy. The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and the Crown Estate.
Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales consented the development of Morlais tidal energy in 2021. Work on the construction of the landfall substation for Morlais is already well underway, and the first turbines are expected to be deployed in the sea from 2026. Once fully developed the scheme has the potential to generate up to 240MW of electricity. Its construction and operation will take place gradually to enable the impact on wildlife to be monitored and mitigation measures put in place if necessary.
