This podcast explores innovative ways to protect wildlife from human activities, such as using AI to predict bird flight paths at a windfarm in Finland and using green LED lights on fishing nets in Cyprus to warn turtles. It also discusses global initiatives to reduce turtle bycatch, protect marine wildlife, and prevent bird strikes at wind turbines.
Using AI to predict bird flight paths reduces turbine collisions in wind farms.
Green LED net lights help reduce sea turtle bycatch in fishing activities.
Deep dives
Reducing Turtle Bycatch in Cyprus
Fishing activities in the Mediterranean Sea result in significant turtle bycatch, with around 40,000 turtles killed annually. Robin Snape from the Society for the Protection of Turtles in Cyprus initiated a project to protect turtle nest sites. By distributing green LED net lights to local fishermen, the project reduced sea turtle bycatch by 42%. Ongoing trials involve improving the net lights' design to enhance effectiveness and widespread distribution to mitigate turtle fatalities.
Bird Safety in Wind Farms in Finland
Wind turbines pose a threat to birds due to their design and location. A bird radar system near the Tarkkullu Oto wind farm in Finland helps reduce bird strikes by shutting down turbines when Baltic gulls or white-tailed sea eagles are in danger. The radar system's automation capabilities have led to a significant decrease in bird collisions. Future plans involve expanding the radar system to cover additional turbines and routes, demonstrating a commitment to bird conservation in wind energy production.
Innovative Solutions for Bird Conservation
In addition to the bird radar system, innovative solutions like acoustic lighthouses and blade painting show promising effects in reducing bird collisions in wind farms. An acoustic lighthouse emits sounds that deter birds from turbines, while painting one turbine blade creates a contrast that birds recognize, reducing bird strikes by up to 70%. These creative solutions aim to make wind energy production more bird-friendly and environmentally conscious.
From the way we catch food, to how we generate energy, human activity inevitably impacts on wildlife and the environment in unintended ways. So this week we’re looking at ways to reduce this collateral damage. We visit a windfarm in Finland that's using AI to predict bird flight paths and stop individual turbines before they cause damage. And we join some fishermen in Cyprus, who are using special green lights to warn turtles away from their nets.
Presenter: Myra Anubi
Producer/Cyprus reporter: Claire Bates
Finland reporter: Erika Benke
Editor: Jon Bithrey
Sound mix: Hal Haines
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