Impact of Offshore Wind Farms on Marine Ecosystems, Pelagic Species and Fishing

Negro, V.; Del Campo, J.M.; Luengo Frades, J.; Martin Anton, M.; Esteban, M.D.; Lopez – Gutierrez, J.S., and Soukissian, T., In: Malvarez, G. and Navas, F. (eds.), Global Coastal Issues of 2020. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 95, pp. 118–122. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.The evolution of the clean energies is one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations (UN 2015 – 2030). However, the increase in the number of marine wind farms (gravity based structures < 10%; piles < 82% and jackets, tripod, tripile and floating installations 7%) with a progressive growth in depth, distance from shore, power and diameter, requires a deep reflection. The marine growth in piles and GBS structures would be studied if it is beneficial for marine ecosystems and fish species, displacement and colonization of new ones. After the installation, new substrates became colonised by a wide variety of benthic organisms. The objective of this research manuscript is to pose this challenge and the analysis in countries like Spain and the Mediterranean Countries where tourism is one of the main sources weath and the environment and landscape are essential in the preservation of the territory and the harmony with nature.