Abstract
The development of wind farms in the marine environment is set to expand rapidly in the future as governments strive to meet greenhouse gas emission targets and renewable energy commitments. Marine wind farms constitute a new development and one for which the associated environmental impacts remain largely unexplored. Areas of particular concern, including those related to development within important cetacean habitat, are discussed. It is our contention that marine wind farms should not be developed without due consideration being given to possible environmental consequences and that this should be done via appropriate environmental impact assessments.