Invasive Non-Native Species mitigation measures for Offshore Renewables – recommendations and best practice

Description

The Offshore Wind Directorate invites a tender from a suitable contractor to review Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) mitigation measures applied across relevant marine sectors and provide recommendations and guidance for Marine Renewable (MR) developments in relation to INNS. INNS are a major threat to biodiversity and have contributed solely or alongside other drivers to 60 per cent of recorded global extinctions . The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (SBS) gives high priority to tackling the introduction and spread of INNS. Research shows that offshore MR devices can facilitate spread of INNS by providing new substrates for INNS attachment in areas where it was otherwise impossible. The aim of this project is to provide recommendations for effective mitigation measures to minimise the risk of introduction and spread of INNS in the marine environment due to MR developments and therefore lower the impact on native species and habitats. This tender will contribute to the sustainable expansion of MRs in Scottish waters by improving the evidence base to support regulators, advisors, and developers in decision-making for environmental impact assessments (EIA) Lot 1: The Scottish Government has a requirement to place a contract with an external service provider for the provision of Invasive Non-Native Species mitigation measures for Offshore Renewables – recommendations and best practice. The Offshore Wind Directorate invites a tender from a suitable contractor to review Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) mitigation measures applied across relevant marine sectors and provide recommendations and guidance for Marine Renewable (MR) developments in relation to INNS. INNS are a major threat to biodiversity and have contributed solely or alongside other drivers to 60 per cent of recorded global extinctions . The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy (SBS) gives high priority to tackling the introduction and spread of INNS. Research shows that offshore MR devices can facilitate spread of INNS by providing new substrates for INNS attachment in areas where it was otherwise impossible. The aim of this project is to provide recommendations for effective mitigation measures to minimise the risk of introduction and spread of INNS in the marine environment due to MR developments and therefore lower the impact on native species and habitats. The aim of this project is to review INNS mitigation measures across relevant marine sectors and provide recommendations and guidance for MR developments to minimise the risk of this potential impact pathway. This tender will contribute to the sustainable expansion of MRs in Scottish waters by improving the evidence base to support regulators, advisors, and developers in decision-making for environmental impact assessments (EIA).