The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has launched a sonar research project in its Orkney waters that could help marine developers operate their devices without harming marine wildlife.

Working with the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) at the University of St Andrews, EMEC is working to develop underwater acoustics systems to assess how marine mammals and diving birds might interact with wave and tidal renewable devices.

The partnership, which began its work in Orkney waters this April, will also detect and monitor the mammals and birds to identify where marine renewables could be deployed without causing harm to wildlife.

SMRU, which is a limited company owned by the University of St Andrews, claims the study could address key planning and environmental concerns encountered by marine developers.

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Douglas Mundie, managing director at SMRU, said: "This is an exciting first step in what we expect will be a long and productive partnership. It is also an excellent demonstration of government, academic and private sectors working together to expand the use of marine renewables."

SMRU will be using DT-X sonar technology from Seattle-based BioSonics, which the firm said was selected for its "potentially mammal-friendly characteristics".

The end product will be a revolutionary new technology to help tidal power move forward in a safe and environmentally responsible manner

BioSonics specialises is deploying fixed position monitoring systems at ocean energy project and performing baseline studies for site selections.

The DT-X systems are capable of three dimensional tracking and classification of marine mammals, fish and diving bird at long ranges, and operate at frequencies and energy levels above the hearing range of marine life.

BioSonics' company president, Tim Acker, said: "The end product will be a revolutionary new technology to help tidal power move forward in a safe and environmentally responsible manner."

The two companies, working in EMEC's waters in Orkney, have worked in tandem on initial trials and data collection.

Over the next few months SMRU's researchers will collect data on marine mammals and their swimming behaviour, allowing BioSonics' engineering staff to develop specific classification matrices and optimise their existing acoustics systems for the purpose.

(GK/JM)