Tidal energy holds enormous potential to reduce emissions and meet climate change targets. Exploring its potential responsibly requires a clear assessment of any potential risks tidal energy devices may pose to marine life, particularly fish. A risk assessment can help inform regulatory directions around monitoring, mitigation, offsets and/or other strategies. The Risk Assessment Program (RAP) for tidal stream energy is designed to create a detailed, credible assessment tool to guage the probability that fish will encounter a tidal device. 

RAP’s goal is a clearer understanding by regulators, rights holders, community stakeholders, and technology developers of any potential risks to marine life in advance of turbine deployment and monitoring. Long-term, direct turbine monitoring remains critical to measuring any potential environmental effects.

 

Key Partners:

Acadia University

Fundy Ocean Research Centre for Energy (FORCE)

Marine Renewables Canada (MRC)

Mi’kmaw Conservation Group (MCG), Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq

Ocean Tracking Network (OTN), Dalhousie University