DUNDEE, UK — Aquaculture technology provider Ace Aquatec is working with marine ecosystem restoration specialist Ocean Health to further develop the FaunaGuard systems.
This is said to employ academically validated sound patterns with transducer technology to create temporary exclusion zones around project sites. The acoustic system can help protect oceanic wildlife from risks associated with offshore construction work, Ace Aquatec said.
FaunaGuard has been developed in various offshore construction campaigns. The species-specific modular system is said to target exact hearing ranges of fish, seals, porpoises and turtles; emit scientifically validated low-volume acoustics that do not cause hearing loss or deafness; deploy a series of complex tones to avoid habituation; and ensure the least physiological impact possible during subsea operations.
The system is also said to comply with standards set by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in the UK and the Federal Maritime & Hydrographic Agency (BSH) in Germany.
Typically, FaunaGuard is deployed from a vessel to ensure animals remain at a safe distance during marine activities such as pile driving, safe detonation of unexploded subsea ordnance, spawning protection and removing oil spillages.
Devices are due to be installed for Ocean Health in the Baltic Sea shortly and were recently used for the CrossWind Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind project in the Dutch North Sea.
