Abstract
A desktop study of underwater noise has been carried out in support of the Scottish Executive’s strategic environmental assessment for marine renewables. Sources of ambient noise in the study area have been identified and characterised in terms of their: frequency content; relative level; and spatial and temporal variability. The mechanisms of noise generation in marine renewable devices have been identified and the sources of noise in a range of device types have been assessed. Illustrative noise spectrum levels for two examples of marine renewable devices (a tidal device and a wave device) have been used to assess the potential impact of device noise on receptors in the marine environment. The noise from these devices has also been compared with expected levels of ambient noise. Based on the limited information available to this study noise from these devices is not expected to result in significant impacts. Finally, the information shortfalls in this study have been identified.