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Experimental study of fish behavior near a tidal turbine model under dark conditions

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Abstract

Understanding the risk of collision between tidal stream turbines and marine species is required for environmental impact assessment. Field observations are often limited by sensor capabilities. This study used a laboratory-scale water tank to monitor fine-scale fish behavior near a model of rotating turbine blades. Differences in behavior between three species were investigated: Oryzias latipes, Gnathopogon elongatus, and Rhodeus ocellatus ocellatus. Behavioral response under dark conditions was further investigated for Gnathopogon elongatus, as it showed active behavior near the turbine under bright conditions. 71% of fish actively avoided or swam away from the turbine during bright conditions. Under dark conditions, 92% avoided or swam away; fish approached less frequently and retreated sooner than in bright conditions. Alertness in dark conditions possibly increases due to the inability of fish to visually detect the blades; thus, dark conditions may not be directly linked to a higher collision risk. No striking events occurred which resulted in injury or mortality.

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Fig. 1

Figure adapted from Yoshida et al. [30]

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Figure adapted from Yoshida et al. [30]

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Figure adapted from Yoshida et al. [30]

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a collaborative research program of The Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers (JASNAOE). We gratefully acknowledge the constructive comments from reviewers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ocean Sciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, 4-5-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8477, Japan

    Takero Yoshida

  2. Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8574, Japan

    Daigo Furuichi

  3. Environmental Research Institute, North Highland College, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), Thurso, KW14 7EE, UK

    Benjamin J. Williamson

  4. Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8574, Japan

    Takero Yoshida, Jinxin Zhou, Shuchuang Dong, Qiao Li & Daisuke Kitazawa

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  1. Takero Yoshida
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Correspondence to Takero Yoshida.

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Yoshida, T., Furuichi, D., Williamson, B. et al. Experimental study of fish behavior near a tidal turbine model under dark conditions. J Mar Sci Technol 27, 541–548 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00773-021-00850-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00773-021-00850-w

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