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OWSMRF Phase 3 Concept Notes and Scopes of Work 2026

Abstract

The Offshore Wind Strategic Monitoring and Research Forum (OWSMRF) is an industry-led, UK-region specific, collaborative partnership that aims to identify and develop research to fill critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of the impact of large-scale offshore wind development on marine birds.

During the third phase of OWSMRF (January 2025 to July 2026), stakeholders identified uncertainty around key aspects of the ecology and behaviour of non-breeding seabirds as a critical issue creating a challenge to the offshore wind consenting process.

A total of six possible Research Opportunities were identified by a consortium of species and industry experts. These are summarised in the OWSMRF III Concept Notes.

Research ideas were further refined and packaged into three detailed Scopes of Work. They each provide an outline of how the projects could be undertaken, including a detailed set of aims and objectives, possible methods that might be employed and important aspects that would need to be considered. These are:

  • OWSMRF III Scope of Work 5a: Role of non-breeders in population persistence and their treatment in offshore wind impact assessments
  • OWSMRF III Scope of Work 5b: Improving understanding of the at-sea distribution of immature and sabbatical seabirds for use in offshore wind impact assessments – feasibility study
  • OWSMRF III Scope of Work 5c: Feasibility study for improved understanding of non-breeding birds through the development of novel colony monitoring technologies

Before progressing any of this work, it is recommended to get in touch with JNCC in order to receive the latest updates on the status of each of these Scopes of Work.

These resources may not be fully accessible for all users. If you need copies in a different format, please contact Communications@jncc.gov.uk.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2026·07·22

Lineage
This work has been undertaken on behalf of the Offshore Wind Strategic Monitoring and Research Forum (OWSMRF).

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2026·07·22

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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