Law firm sponsors sustainable renewable energy research at UHI

A research project looking at how the marine renewable energy industry can safeguard Scotland’s west coast bottlenose dolphins is getting underway at the University of the Highlands and Islands in a funding partnership with commercial law firm Harper Macleod LLP.
 
As part of its commitment to supporting the renewable energy industry, Harper Macleod is helping to fund two PhD studentships, one of them at the Scottish Association for Marine Science UHI (SAMS) at Dunstaffnage, near Oban. The law firm wanted to collaborate with UHI as a result of Scotland’s increasing involvement in renewable energy and the need to invest in the long-term viability of the sector within the UK. 
 
The research will involve marine mammal scientist Nienke van Geel at SAMS investigating dolphin movement patterns and detection methods on the west coast of Scotland. The data could inform the timing of marine energy construction work to avoid any interference with dolphins. This research is co-funded by the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology Scotland (MASTS). 
 
Nienke’s supervisor, Dr Ben Wilson, senior lecturer in marine ecology and renewable energy, said the seas around Scotland had the potential to provide abundant marine-green energy. “This project offers an exciting opportunity to discover more about the ecology of a mysterious Scottish dolphin population and help us balance their needs alongside the construction of an emerging and urgently needed industry.”
 
Harper Macleod head of energy and natural resources, David Bone, said: “The natural landscape and climate of Scotland has given us a fantastic opportunity to generate income for the nation and support local employment. However, we must be careful not to squander this gift and use it to its best potential to ensure prosperity for future generations whilst protecting our environment. We’re pleased to support research which could potentially encourage sustainable renewable energy worldwide.”
 
Nienke graduated with BSc biology and MSc natural resources management degrees from Utrecht University in Holland. She has worked for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) on beaked whale acoustics and habitats in the Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands, and for the last two years was the marine biodiversity officer with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, conducting visual and acoustic cetacean monitoring surveys throughout the west coast of Scotland.
 
The research at SAMS is one of two PhD studentships being sponsored by Harper Macleod - the other is at the Environmental Research Institute at North Highland College UHI in Thurso where a researcher will look at the impact of human medicines on rivers and seas, focusing on degradation and eco-toxicity.
 
James Fraser, the UHI principal and vice-chancellor, said: “We are delighted that we are able to advance our research work in marine and environmental sciences with the funding support of Harper Macleod, and we look forward to the findings which will be very important for the protection of our sea life and natural environment, human health, and the growing renewable industry.”