Do electromagnetic fields from subsea power cables effect benthic elasmobranch behaviour? A risk-based approach for the Dutch Continental Shelf

Subsea power cables cause electromagnetic fields (EMFs) into the marine environment. Elasmobranchs (rays, skates, sharks) are particularly sensitive to EMFs as they use electromagnetic-receptive sensory systems for orientation, navigation, and locating conspecifics or buried prey. Cables may interse...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental pollution (1987) 2024-04, Vol.346, p.123570-123570, Article 123570
Main Authors: Hermans, Annemiek, Winter, Hendrik V., Gill, Andrew B., Murk, Albertinka J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Behavior, Animal
Behavioural effects
benthic elasmobranchs
Ecological risk assessment
Ecosystem
Electromagnetic Fields
Offshore wind farms
Sharks
Skates, Fish
Subsea power cables
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Summary:Subsea power cables cause electromagnetic fields (EMFs) into the marine environment. Elasmobranchs (rays, skates, sharks) are particularly sensitive to EMFs as they use electromagnetic-receptive sensory systems for orientation, navigation, and locating conspecifics or buried prey. Cables may intersect with egg laying sites, mating, pupping, and nursery grounds, foraging habitat and migration routes of elasmobranchs and the effects of encountering EMFs on species of elasmobranchs are largely unknown. Demonstrated behavioural effects are attraction, disturbance and indifference, depending on EMF characteristics, exposed life stage, exposure level and duration. We estimated exposure levels of elasmobranchs to subsea power cable EMFs, based on modelled magnetic fields in the Dutch Continental Shelf and compared these to reported elasmobranch sensory sensitivity ranges and experimental effect levels. We conclude that the risk from subsea power cables has a large uncertainty and varies per life stage and species ecology. Based on estimated no-observed effect levels (from 10−3 to 10−1 μT) we discuss what will probably be the most affected species and life stage for six common benthic elasmobranchs in the Southern North Sea. We then identify critical knowledge gaps for reducing the uncertainty in the risk assessments for EMFs effects on benthic elasmobranchs. [Display omitted] •Cables intersect with egg-laying sites, foraging habitats, and migration routes.•5.5% of Dutch Continental Shelf with EMF from subsea cables by 2030.•EMF detectable by benthic elasmobranchs can reach 250 m for direct current cables.•Risk level for EMFs of elasmobranchs is dependent on life stage and species ecology.•Elasmobranchs are at risk of electromagnetic fields but the level is uncertain.
ISSN:0269-7491
1873-6424
DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123570