Environmental impacts on marine energy: collision risks for marine animals and priority species for monitoring in Brazil

ABSTRACT Brazil has great potential for the development of technologies for the conversion of marine energy from waves and tides, which raises the discussion about the possible environmental impacts of these projects. This article seeks to synthesize knowledge about the risks of collision of marine animals, such as mammals, fish and birds, with marine renewable energy (MRE) devices, as well as to identify priority species for environmental monitoring along the Brazilian coast. The risk of marine mammals colliding with MRE devices is influenced by regional and behavioral factors. The risk of collision in a fish community is influenced by the avoidance behavior, the distribution of fish in the MRE sites and the stages of the enterprise (installation, operation and maintenance). Seabird collision risk is influenced by species behavior (geographical distribution, seasonal habitat use, diving time and depth) and the location of MRE structures (surface and/or water column). The survey of priority species for monitoring the risk of collision with MRE devices in Brazil consisted of 5 species of marine mammals, 13 taxa of seabirds, 5 species of endangered sea turtles and 18 species or groups of species of fish of economic importance to the country. The research review did not record the occurrence of collisions with marine animals. However, this does not mean that they did not occur, but that they may not have been observed due to monitoring challenges. The study concluded that research on the interaction of marine animals with MRE devices should be encouraged, even in prototypes and non-commercial projects, in order to reduce knowledge gaps and support the development of MRE in an environmentally sound manner. Keywords: Marine renewable energy, Collision risk, Species, Marine animals.