Marine Institute director to address UN conference

Professor Martin Attrill will travel to the UN headquarters in New York this month, where he will be on the panel of a session looking at the environmental impact of marine renewable energy.

He will talk about the potential knock-on effects of technology such as offshore wind farms and wave power on fishing communities and bird populations.

His talk will be part of a four-day conference, the 13th meeting of the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and Law of the Sea, with delegates attending from across the globe.

Professor Attrill, also a lead researcher within the Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMaRE), said: “I was, of course, very honoured to be asked to contribute to the UN consultation. The session will be led by the ambassadors of New Zealand and the Maldives, and moving to non-carbon energy production is crucial for island states with the impending threat of sea levels rising.”

Professor Attrill recently joined forces with broadcaster and marine biologist Monty Halls to advocate an approach to future sea management and conservation based on the way we manage the land.

In his address to the UN, he will focus on striking a balance between the benefits of marine renewables and the potential threats they may pose to wildlife.

He added: “With our PRIMaRE biodiversity impact partners, we have been highlighting that marine renewable energy developments may have positive as well as the perceived negative consequences for the environment. For example, they could provide the structure to enhance commercial crustacean stocks or act as protected areas. I will be providing an independent summary of the likely impacts and consequences for local fishing communities.”

Earlier this year, Professor Attrill was part of a delegation which picked up the Queen’s Anniversary Prize at Buckingham Palace, awarded in recognition of the world class marine research carried out at Plymouth University.

His invitation also comes just months ahead of the opening of the University’s £19million Marine Building, which will form an integral part of a new South West Marine Energy Park recently unveiled by the Government.

Professor Attrill added: “This invitation from the UN is a further sign of the reputation that we have within Plymouth University’s Marine Institute for world-class research, and how we are striving to provide answers to many of the planet’s key marine problems.”