JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT
MCS and Siemens/MCT
12 October 2012
The Marine Conservation Society fully and unconditionally withdraws its statement made 31st August 2012 regarding the impact of tidal turbines on seals in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland. The statement was not based on available evidence and the Marine Conservation Society apologises for any misconceptions that may have arisen as a result.
Siemens confirms that SeaGen, the world’s first commercial tidal current energy turbine located in Strangford Lough has had an excellent environmental record. A three year baseline was established before its deployment in 2008 and a further three years post installation, rigorous environmental assessment and monitoring of SeaGen’s impact on the marine life of the Lough was undertaken. In January of this year, the final report on the SeaGen Environmental Monitoring Programme was published. It was prepared by the environmental consultancy Royal Haskoning, in collaboration with an independent Science Group, comprising representatives of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Queen’s University Belfast, the Sea Mammal Research Unit and others.
The report concluded that no major impacts had been detected from any of the SeaGen monitoring programmes.
Siemens is fully committed to ensuring that minimal environmental harm is caused by the operation of tidal turbines. Dr Andrew Tyler, CEO of Marine Current Turbines stated “We have always engaged openly with the environmental NGOs, including the Marine Conservation Society, and will continue to do so.”
Mike Cook, Head of Conservation, for Marine Conservation Society
Dr Andrew Tyler, CEO of Marine Current Turbines, a Siemens business
