TIDAL QUESTIONS
Tidal lagoons contribute energy but what impact do they have on birds and fish?
Are tidal lagoons a threat to the UK’s marine wildlife – and fish such as salmon and sea trout, and wildfowl especially?
A review has concluded they can make a cost-effective contribution to our electricity supply, alongside other renewable technologies.
There are plans for a lagoon in Swansea, and the Severn Estuary has long been promoted as a potential location, too.
But the Severn’s mudflats support some 85,000 waterfowl over the winter, as well as migrating salmon and sea trout.
Referring to the governmentcommissioned Hendry Review on tidal lagoons, The Wildlife Trusts said that recommendations for a high-level of monitoring of environmental impacts should be heeded.
“We are also pleased the report recommends a pause between Swansea becoming operational and other plans for lagoons starting,” it said. “We would like to see at least eight years' pause to cover two fishspawning cycles.”