Oil Spill Sensitivity Maps of the Faroe Islands

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS

Cordah Limited, Kettock Lodge, Aberdeen Science and Technology Park Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, UK AB22 8GU Tel: +44(0)1224 414200 Fax: +44(0)1224 414250 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.cordah.co.uk/

A Report for GEM

Prepared by: Cordah Limited Report No: Cordah/KAL.001/2000 Authors: Jon Moore, Iain Park and Niall Bell Status: Draft Version: N/A Date of Release: December 2000 Confidentiality: This report is the property of the Geotechnical Environment Metocean consortium (GEM) and is not to be cited without the written agreement of GEM or Cordah.

Approved and authorised for issue:

Gordon Picken, Jon Moore, Director Senior Consultant 21 December 2000 21 December 2000 Oil spill sensitivity maps of the Faroe Islands

Acknowledgements

Thanks are due to the following people and organisations for advice and help during the project.

• GEM Project Direction Mick Borwell, Agip • Project Contract Management Hilmar Eliasen, Atlanticon • Cordah staff Jon Moore, Iain Park, Dr Niall Bell, Rebecca Dykes, Dr Gordon Picken • Kaldbak Lab, Faroe Islands Jan Sørensen, Andreas Guttormur Djurhuus

Report No. KAL/001/00 Contents i October 2000 Oil spill sensitivity maps of the Faroe Islands

Contents

Page No.

Acknowledgements ...... i

Contents ...... iii

Introduction...... 1

Environmental Sensitivity Maps ...... 8

Prioritisation ...... ?

Shoreline and coastal resources: characteristics and sensitivity/vulnerability to oil spills ...... ?

Maps and Figures: Key to regions Key to symbols and styles Region 1 Suđuroy (south) Region 2 Suđuroy (north) Region 3 Sandoy Region 4 Streymoy (south) Region 7 Eysturoy (south) Region 9 Eysturoy (north) Region 10 Borđoy Region 11 Viđoy

Report No. KAL/001/00 Contents ii October 2000 Oil spill sensitivity maps of the Faroe Islands

Introduction and methodology

Oil spill contingency planning procedures, associated with the exploration of offshore license acreage around the Faroe Islands, are being developed by the Geotechnical Environment Metocean consortium (GEM). As part of this process GEM has commissioned a series of oil spill sensitivity maps to cover the west coast of the Faroe Islands. The aim of these maps is to show the location of the coastal and marine resources (ecological, commercial and amenity) that may be sensitive and vulnerable to an oil spill that reached the Islands. The maps are supported by explanatory text that describes the importance and sensitivity of each type of resource.

Methodology The information from which the maps were prepared was provided by a large number of organisations and individuals in the Faroe Islands and collated by staff at the Kaldbak Laboratory. This information has been entered into a MapInfo Geographic Information System (GIS) database, which has been structured to allow detailed analysis. This GIS database is available for the future requirements of GEM. For the purposes of this report, the Faroe Islands have been divided into eleven regions, eight of which cover the ‘west’ coast’. A key to these regions is given on the next page. A sensitivity map has been prepared for each region. These maps are derived from the information in the GIS database and then edited and formatted for ease of use, either as hard copy print-outs or in electronic form (as Adobe Acrobat files). The maps have also been designed to be compatible with the coastal protection plans being developed by Robin Perry & Associates. These plans will provide recommendations on potential sites for protection by booms and shoreline clean-up techniques at other sites.

Prioritisation of resources and sites The importance of the various resources, and the priority that should be placed upon them for protection in the case of an oil spill, is being addressed by a prioritisation process. This process is developed so that it is relevant to the resources found around the Faroes and takes account of a variety of factors.

Environmental Sensitivity Maps

The regional summary Environmental Sensitivity maps provide information on shoreline and nearshore sensitivities found in the area, and an indication of shoreline composition. A key to the map symbols and styles is given below. The placement of a sensitivity symbol on a regional map indicates the approximate location of the sensitive resource. In many cases, however, particularly bird feeding areas, the sensitive area may be quite extensive. Some caution is therefore required when interpreting the maps, and where the exact location of a sensitive resource is critical, it will be necessary to call on local expertise and knowledge for guidance. An explanation of the sensitivity and vulnerability of each of the resource types is given in the next chapter.

Report No. KAL.001 1 December 2000 Oil Spill Sensitivity Maps of the Faroe Islands Key to Regions

11 9 Vídoy

Borðoy Eysturoy 10 Streymoy

Vágar 7

62ºN 4

Sandoy

2 Suðuroy 61º 30’ N

7º 30’ W 7º W 6º 30’ W

December 2000 Oil spill sensitivity maps of the Faroe Islands

Prioritisation The prioritisation process takes account of the following factors:

• Sensitivity of resources to damage from oil pollution, including likely recovery rate • Importance of resources, e.g. International, National, Regional or Local • Vulnerability of resources to contamination by oil spills, including wave exposure, seasonality, depth, and natural protection features • Potential for effective protection including accessibility and remoteness and limitations of techniques The first stage of the process has been to assess the coastal resources for the first three factors. This has been carried out by Cordah staff, but will need to be reviewed by the Faeroes authorities before they are ratified. Table 1 gives the results of the initial assessment. After ratification, the initial priorities will be applied to the resources on the GIS to create a layer that summarises the environmental priorities of the coastal areas. This will then be provided to RPA, who will use it in their assessment of the priorities of the coastal protection sites, using the fourth factor listed above – i.e. the practical limitations of booming coastal sites. Note: some coastal resources that are present on the maps are not included in this prioritisation process (e.g. sand dunes and archaeological sites) because they are above the high tide line and are therefore not vulnerable to oil spills. They are included on the maps because they may be sensitive to physical clean-up activity, if a response was mounted.

Report No. KAL.001 2 December 2000 Oil spill sensitivity maps of the Faroe Islands

Table 1 Protection priorities (Highest, High, Moderate and Low) for coastal resources found around the Faroes coasts, based on an assessment of their sensitivity, vulnerability and importance. The priorities do not take account of the practical limitations of protection by booming or any other response technique. The importance of seasonality for the resources is indicated by: YY = very seasonal; Y = to a certain extent seasonal; N = not known to be seasonal (or seasonality not known). Seasonal Highest High Moderate Low

Saltmarsh N Any marsh Lagoon N Any lagoon

Seabird colonies YY >10,000 birds 500 – 10,000 Other seabird birds sites Tern colonies YY Large colonies Small colonies Seaduck and diving Y Large Other sites birds aggregations Waders and wildfowl Y Any sites Grey seals Y Breeding sites Haul-out sites Cetacean migration N Any known routes areas Migratory fish runs (N) Any known runs

Salmon/sea trout N More than 10 4 - 10 cages 1 - 4 cages farms cages Brood stock facilities N Any cage Any with facility seawater intakes Fish hatcheries N Any with seawater intakes

Inshore fisheries N Norway lobster Y Any beds Grindadrap (whale N Any beaches killing) beaches Fish nursery grounds N Any grounds

Recreational beaches Y Any beaches Diving sites Y Any sites Angling sites N Any sites

Ports and harbours N Large ports Small ports, harbours Small boat moorings N More than 50 Other boats moorings Power stations N Any with seawater intakes

Report No. KAL.001 3 December 2000 Oil spill sensitivity maps of the Faroe Islands

Shoreline and coastal resources: characteristics and sensitivity/vulnerability to oil spills

The coastal resources of the Faroe Islands are not particularly diverse, either biologically or from human usage. The shores and shallow subtidal areas are predominantly rocky, with a few sandy beaches but almost no areas of soft muddy sediment. The seabed slopes steeply into deep water, where soft muddy sediments are present at the bottom of the fjords and offshore. The main industries are fisheries and salmon/trout farming, which have enviable high standards for the quality of their products – due in part to minimal contamination by pollutants. Amenity use of the coastline is also primarily based on fishing and gathering of other living resources, with very little water sports or coastal amenity use. Sensitivity and vulnerability of these coastal resources to oil spills vary considerably. In general, the predominantly rocky coastal habitats are not particularly vulnerable to oil because they do not retain oil for long periods and the communities of animals and plants that colonise them can recover quickly. The deep water resources, including muddy seabed communities and demersal fish stocks, are also not very vulnerable because to a large extent the depth protects them from contamination by sources of oil pollution. However, the fish farms are very vulnerable because even small quantities of oil can taint the salmon and render them valueless to the fish farmers. The seabird populations that nest on the sea cliffs and feed in the coastal and offshore waters are also very vulnerable to surface oil slicks. The sensitivity maps show the locations and distributions around the Faroe Islands of the various shoreline and coastal resources that are sensitive to oil spills. The following text provides generic descriptions of these resources, including summary explanations to their sensitivity. Habitats and resources that are not considered to be sensitive to oil spills (e.g. most subtidal habitats) are not included. A Key is given to the symbols and styles used on the maps.

Shoreline habitats

Saltmarsh Saltmarshes are intertidal wetlands with a range of plant species that live on very sheltered muddy shores. There is only one noteworthy area of saltmarsh in the Faroe Islands, close to Hvalvik on Streymoy, and it is not particularly well developed. However, the substratum in this marsh is to a certain extent muddy and soft. Although not specifically protected in the Faroe Islands, saltmarshes are often considered to be of nature conservation importance for the diversity of plants and their use as roosting and nesting sites by some waders and wildfowl. The ecological value of the marsh near Hvalvik is not known. Saltmarshes are normally considered to be the shoreline habitat that is most vulnerable to oil spills, because the oil is trapped within the marsh and can have long term impacts. Oil readily adheres to the vegetation and some species of saltmarsh plants are very sensitive. However, saltmarshes are also the most difficult habitat to clean, due to the soft muddy substratum. Attempts to clean-up these areas are not recommended without specialist advice.

Sandy shores Sandy shores are not common, but are present in a few locations around the Faroe Islands. They are usually less vulnerable to oil spills than muddy shores because wave action is greater, they have less ecological value from burrowing invertebrates and because they are normally easier to clean-up. Sensitivity does vary, depending on grain size, presence of burrows and the angle of slope. The importance of these areas will depend more on their usage by the islanders and by the wading birds that feed on invertebrate animals in the sediments.

Report No. KAL.001 4 December 2000 Oil spill sensitivity maps of the Faroe Islands

Pebble shores Pebble shores are not common, but are present in a few locations around the Faroe Islands. They normally have a limited ecological value, due to a low diversity of invertebrates, but can be very difficult to clean if oil penetrates deep between the stones.

Rocky shores (bedrock and boulders) The vulnerability of rocky shores to oil spills is mainly dependent on the wave exposure, although boulder shores are slightly more vulnerable because oil can become trapped between boulders. Exposed rocky shores are normally considered to be one of the least vulnerable habitats to oil spills, because the oil is quickly removed by wave action. Sheltered rocky shores are often more vulnerable and sensitive, particularly if they include lots of rockpools and crevices where the oil is trapped. Some species that live on rocky shores are very sensitive the oil spills, e.g. limpets; but populations normally recover quickly. However, if clean-up is necessary it may not be easily achieved due to the steepness and poor accessibility of many rocky shores. Most of the coastline of the Faroe Islands is rocky, and this will greatly limit the protection and clean-up options.

Other coastal features

Sand dune Sand dunes are partially vegetated wind blown accumulations of sand in coastal areas and are often considered to be of nature conservation importance for plants and insects. The only area of sand dunes in the Faroe Islands is behind the broad sandy beach at Sandur on Sandoy. Its ecological importance is not known, but it is protected by legislation. Sand dunes are not normally vulnerable to oil, because they are found above the high water mark, but they may be vulnerable to damage from intensive clean-up activity that use the dunes as an access route or laydown area. Clean-up activity in these areas must be managed to avoid such damage.

Lagoons Lagoons are enclosed brackish water bodies that lie next to the coast and receive seawater through a culvert, narrow entrance, seepage or other means. There is only one known water body that can be described as a lagoon in the Faroe Islands, near the village of Saxun at the northwest end of Streymoy. Lagoons are often considered to be of nature conservation importance for their plant, invertebrate and bird life and have been highlighted as an important habitat for conservation by the EC Habitats Directive. Lagoons are often used as roosting sites by wintering waders and wildfowl. Their vulnerability to oil spills is variable; being dependent on the frequency and route by which seawater enters the lagoon.

Cliffs and very steep coasts These are marked on the maps to provide general information on coastal type and, in particular, to indicate where access for clean-up activity may be difficult.

Ecological interest

Wetland birds This includes a variety of waders species that spend the summer in the Faroes, nesting in the coastal grasslands and feeding in these grasslands and some wave sheltered intertidal habitats. The commonest species include oystercatchers, redshank, turnstone, curlew, whimbrel, golden plover, dunlin and purple sandpiper. . Most of these species are migratory and only spend time in the Faroe Islands during the summer months (typically March to October); then flying south for the winter months. For most of their time in the Faroes they are widely scattered around the islands, but when they arrive in March and just before they leave in October they tend to

Report No. KAL.001 5 December 2000 Oil spill sensitivity maps of the Faroe Islands congregate on sandy and shingle beaches. Oystercatchers and turnstones, however, are normally clustered in small groups on bedrock and boulder shores. Most of the wader species are unlikely to come into direct contact with oil, because they do not sit on the water; but they may be affected if their feeding sites are badly impacted. Continued disturbance of a feeding ground or nesting site by clean-up activity may also effect the wader populations. The symbol marks shores where waders are known to concentrate, but it is likely that other areas will also be important.

Sea duck and divers Sea duck includes eider, scaup and mallard, which are fairly common in the fjords of the Faroe Islands. Some species are migratory, spending the summer months (typically March to October) around the coast of the Faroe Islands and flying elsewhere for the summer. However, the eider and mallard stay in the Faroes throughout the year. Diving birds, including red-throated diver and red-breasted merganser are also present in many of the fjords. Populations of red-breasted merganser stay in the Faroes throughout the year, but the red-throated divers migrate south for the winter, only staying in the Faroes between April and September. Both groups of birds spend most of the time on the water, diving in shallow areas for fish or bivalve shellfish, and are therefore very vulnerable to oil spills. The symbol is used to indicate the general areas where large numbers of birds may be present in the coastal waters.

Terns Populations of arctic terns breed in the Faroe Islands. They nest in colonies on small islands and grassy dunes close to the sea during the summer, but migrate to warmer countries for the rest of the year. There are a large number of colonies scattered around the islands, although numbers have declined since the late sixties. The symbol is used to mark the larger nesting colonies, although they do not always return to the same sites. Terns return to their nesting sites in May. They feed on fish, which they catch by diving; but not necessarily near to the nesting sites. They leave in August. The nests are above HW, so they are not normally oiled, but the nesting birds are very vulnerable to disturbance from clean-up activity.

Seabirds Very large numbers of seabirds breed on the sea cliffs, grass-covered slopes and boulder screes, and feed in the coastal waters of the Faroe Islands during the summer months. Hundreds of thousands of birds are concentrated in relatively small areas for a few months of the year. During the winter most birds disperse widely offshore, often far from land. The commonest species include fulmars, kittiwake, puffins, guillemot, storm petrel and manx shearwater. The vulnerability of these birds to oil depends greatly on the amount of time that they spend on the surface of the water. Puffins, guillemots and razorbills are the most vulnerable because they spend large amounts of time on the surface of the water, often aggregated in ‘rafts’ of birds. During the summer these rafts of birds are present on the water under the breeding site cliffs. At the end of the breeding season these rafts include large numbers of flightless juveniles and moulting adults which are even more vulnerable to oil spills. A coloured line on the map indicates the extent of coastline along which there are many seabird colonies. The symbol indicates the location of the largest nesting colonies and the time of year that the birds are present there. The distribution of seabirds offshore around the islands at different times of the year is the subject of ongoing ‘Seabirds at Sea’ surveys and a publication is due in Spring 2001.

Seals Grey seals are very common around the Faroe Islands, and they spend a lot of their life hauled out together on rocky shores. Most of the haul-out sites are present along the wave exposed east coasts of the islands, away from areas of human activity, but the exact locations have not been

Report No. KAL.001 6 December 2000 Oil spill sensitivity maps of the Faroe Islands recorded. The breeding season is in the autumn with pups produced between September and October. The pupping sites have not been recorded. The pups remain on the shore, and are therefore very vulnerable to oil spills, for a few weeks, but most have taken to the water by early December. The adults moult between January and March and are slightly more vulnerable to oil at this time. The symbol indicates the general locations of the main breeding sites, i.e. where most pups are produced. Common seals and ringed seals are much less common than grey seals around the Faroe Islands, but a few are present around the coast. They spend less time hauled out than grey seals, and the locations of the haul out sites are not known. There are no areas marked on the map for these species.

Cetaceans A large variety of cetacean species occur all around the Faroe Islands, including long-finned pilot whale, white-beaked dolphin, Atlantic white-sided dolphin and harbour porpoise, orca and occasional large whales (e.g. humpback and blue whales). All of these species travel widely, often following fish stocks, and there are no known resident populations in the Faroe Islands. Some of these species are migratory and are seen as they travel past or between the islands, particularly during July, August and September. A popular migration route, between Vágar and Streymor, where cetaceans can frequently be observed at any time of the year, is marked on the map. The vulnerability of cetaceans to oil spills is a matter of contention. Recorded impacts from oil spills are largely circumstantial, but it is possible for them to be oiled severely if they surface under a slick.

Amenity value

Recreational beaches The symbol indicates the location of sand or shingle beaches that are commonly used for recreation (sunbathing, beach games etc.) during the summer months. There would undoubtedly be considerable concern if any of these beaches was affected by an oil spill, but it is likely that the Faroese would be more concerned about potential impacts to aquaculture, fisheries or wildlife resources. None of these beaches are provided with any amenity facilities (car parks, toilets, cafés, etc.). The sand beaches of the Faroe Islands are frequently exposed to considerable wave action which will quickly remove most oil and disperse it at sea. However, tar balls, which bind with sand and roll around the shore can become a considerable nuisance.

Coastal watersports Although most Faroese have small boats, which they use frequently for fishing, other watersports are not popular in the Faroe Islands. Some tourists bring canoes and sail-boards to use around the Faroe Islands, but there are no specific sites to mark. SCUBA diving, however, is common during the summer months and the most popular diving sites are marked on the maps. Oil spills are primarily a nuisance to these sports.

Angling Angling is very popular, by both Faroese and tourists. Fly fishing for salmon and sea trout is very popular, which is carried out from the gravel beaches where the river is entering the sea. Sea fishing from quays, rocky shores, beaches and boats is also popular, and there are frequent competitions.

Report No. KAL.001 7 December 2000 Oil spill sensitivity maps of the Faroe Islands

These types of angling are very widespread and there are few specific locations, except for the quays. The main catch are demersal species, incl. cod, pollock, saith (coal fish) and flat fish. The symbol marks the most popular shore locations for fly fishing and beach fishing.

Aquaculture & Fisheries

Fish farms Salmon and sea trout farming in cages is an important commercial activity in the Faroe Islands and farmed fish accounts for approximately 25% of Faroe exports. The cages are tethered in open water within sheltered fjords and sounds and are very vulnerable to oiling. Juvenile salmon and trout, that are used to stock the farms, are reared in land based hatcheries. Some of the hatcheries have seawater intakes for the older juveniles, but most require only freshwater and are therefore protected from marine oil spills. Brood stock salmon and trout, which provide the eggs and spawn for the hatcheries, are held in tanks or cages at three locations in the Faroes. These fish are extremely valuable and require very clean water. The caged stock are very vulnerable to oil spills, but the tank stock have sea water intakes which pump water from below 3m depth. The farms, hatcheries and brood stock sites are marked with symbols. A halibut farm and experimental fish farming station is located at Nesvík on Streymoy. The farm and experimental facilities take water from a seawater intake situated more than 3m below low water level. The farm is marked with a symbol. If the cages are oiled or the fish are affected by a plume of dispersed oil they are likely to become tainted with the taste of oil. This tainting is lost gradually if the fish are kept in clean water. In severe cases the toxic elements of the oil may cause ill health or death of fish. Any oil stuck to the cages will need to be cleaned off before the cages can be restocked. The symbols indicate the locations of all registered farms, hatcheries and brood stock facilities at the time the maps were produced, but this can go out of date very quickly.

Migratory fish Salmon and sea trout migrate between the sea, where they spend most of their life, and rivers where they breed, spawn and spend the first year of their life. The times of year when they are passing through the fjords, into or from the rivers, are very ordered, often site specific, and generally well known. However, the various movements of the different age groups does not leave many periods of the year when there is no activity. They may be vulnerable to oil spills at these times – particularly the females on their way upstream and the juveniles on their way downstream. The symbols mark the ends of the streams, where they join the sea, which have the most important runs. In some locations, e.g. Leynar, salmon ladders have been created.

Fish nursery areas Some shallow water areas, in certain bays and at the heads of some fjords, are known to be important nursery areas for fish, particularly flat fish (flounder, dab and plaice). Large densities of juvenile fish may be present in these areas; feeding on small invertebrates and growing into young adults. They then disperse and join the adult populations in deeper water. The shallowness of these areas (mostly less than 10m) makes them more vulnerable to dispersed oil, and the juvenile fish are sensitive. It is not recommended to deliberately disperse oil with chemical dispersants in these areas. The symbol marks the known nursery areas on the maps.

Inshore fisheries Inshore fisheries (within the 12 mile limit) are carefully controlled in the Faroes, but are still very active. A variety of fishing gears are used, including long lines, jigs, trawls and pots. The controls include the designation of areas (mainly to the north and northwest of the islands, just within and

Report No. KAL.001 8 December 2000 Oil spill sensitivity maps of the Faroe Islands just outside the 12 mile limit) which are known to be important for the spawning of cod (and to a lesser extent saithe and haddock). No fishing is allowed within these zones during specified periods (extending from mid January to mid April). Trawling within the 12 mile limit is very restricted, with only a few small trawlers licensed to fish there, and only between May and August. The target species are mainly lemon sole and plaice. Long line and jigging fisheries for demersal species are very common in all areas for most of the year. The main catch is cod, haddock and tusk. Norway lobster, which live in muddy sediments in deep water, are fished between September and April by potting with small lobster pots (creels). The areas where the lobster are found is marked on the maps. Whelks, which are used for fish bait, are also caught with pots in certain fjords. Lobsters are caught for local restaurants and export. The symbols indicate the locations of the main potting areas. Fishing gear and boats are at risk from oil slicks on the water surface. Fishing activity may need to be temporarily halted during an oil spill, and any fishing gear that sticks above the surface of the water (i.e. pot buoys) may need to be removed or cleaned.

Grindadráp (whale killing) beaches The ‘Grindadráp’ is an old popular custom in the Faroe Islands, whereby small whales (primarily pilot whales) are herded into designated beaches and killed. The whale meat is then divided up between the large number of participants. The killing beaches, which are licensed and are well known to all Faroese, are considered sensitive to oil spills because any oil on the beach could contaminate the whale meat. There is no particular season for the Grind.

Other sensitivities

Ports, harbours and boat moorings There are a few moderate sized ports and a large number of small harbours and boat basins scattered around the Faroe Islands. Large numbers of moorings are scattered around these harbours and in other sheltered waters. Most of the harbours and boat basins are dominated by commercial fishing boats, but a large proportion of the islanders also have small boats that are used for angling or personal fishing activities. There are very few yachts or pleasure boats in the Faroes. The symbols differentiate between the larger ports, the smaller ports and harbours (with less commercial importance) and the places where there are only a few moorings or berths for small boats. Operators of commercial boats are not normally concerned by oiling of their vessels, but owners of fishing boats may be concerned that the oil could contaminate their fishing gear or catch. Some oiled boats may therefore need to be removed from the water for cleaning after an oil spill. Boat engines can also be vulnerable to damage if they are run while the boat is sitting in oil, because oil may get into the engine’s cooling water and impair its function. Oil spill response activities can also disrupt navigation and port operations.

Power Stations There are three diesel powered Power Stations with cooling water intakes in the Faroe Islands. The cooling water systems may be sensitive to oil in the abstracted water, but all three stations are protected by the depth of the intake pipe. The operators of the stations would not be concerned by small amounts of oil; but if a large amount of oil gets into the system it can impair its function – possibly requiring the station to shut down while the system is cleaned. However, it is very unlikely that such quantities could enter the intakes of the power stations in the Faroe Islands.

Report No. KAL.001 9 December 2000 Oil spill sensitivity maps of the Faroe Islands

Archaeological sites Ruins of ancient buildings and other important archaeological remains are often present in coastal areas and occasionally on the shore. The maps show the locations of a number of ante-medieval and medieval settlements that lie close to the shore, but above the high tide line. Oil spills do not usually cause damage to such remains, but any oiling is considered to be an impact and the remains may be vulnerable to physical damage during clean-up activity.

Report No. KAL.001 10 December 2000 Oil Spill Sensitivity Maps of the Faroe Islands

Key to Symbols

Shoreline habitats Aquaculture and Fisheries rocky coastline salmon farm

boulder shore salmon brood stock

pebble shore turbot farm sandy shore

D J F N

O Norway lobster fishery (September to April)

A J

saltmarsh J

fish nursery area

Other coastal features G grindadrap (whale killing) beach cliffs and very steep coasts

sand dunes Recreational areas recreational beach lagoon popular diving site

Ecological interest popular angling site

cetaceans - known migration route Other sensitivities

seabird coast - colonies of cliff nesting birds large port (April to September) small port or harbour

D J F important seabird colony (months N

A vulnerable to pollution shown in red) J

J small boat moorings and quays

D J F large tern colonies (months vulnerable to N

A power station with seawater intake S

A pollution shown in red)

J J

archaeological site

D J F sea duck and diving birds (months vulnerable N M (ancient settlements/buildings)

A to pollution shown in red)

J J

D J F waders & wildfowl (months vulnerable to Other features N

A disturbance shown in red) J J land

D J F grey seal - known breeding area (months N

S town or built up area

A vulnerable to pollution or disturbance shown J J in red) main road migratory fish (salmon & sea trout) run minor road

December 2000 Oil Spill Sensitivity Maps of the Faroe Islands

Region 1 Suðuroy (south)

Fámjin G

D J F N

J J

Hov Suðuroy

D J F N

M Hovsfjørður A J 61º 25’J

Porkeri

Vágur G

D J F N

A J J Vágsfjørður

D J F N

J J

D J F N

J J

61º 25’ N

D J F N

J J Sumba

0 1 2 3

D J F N

A J

kilometres J

6º 50’ 6º 40’

December 2000 Oil Spill Sensitivity Maps of the Faroe Islands

Region 2 Suðuroy (north)

7º 00’ 6º 50’

D J F N

J J

0 1 2 3 Stóra Dímun kilometres

61º 40’

D J F N

J J

D J F N

A J

Sandvík J

Lítla Dímun

Hvalba Hvalbiarfjørður

D J F D J N F M N O M

O A

J M J

61º 35’ A J

Suðuroy J

D J F N

Tvøroyri M

G O

J J

G Trongisvágsfjørður

December 2000 Oil Spill Sensitivity Maps of the Faroe Islands

Region 3 Sandoy

6º 50’ 6º 40’

D J F N

A J

61º 55’ J Skopunarfjørður

Skopun D J F N

O J A D F

S N

M M

J J O

J J

D J F N

A J Sandoy J

Sandur D J F G N M

J J

D J F N M Skálavík

J J 61º 50’

D J F N

J J

D J F N

Skúvoyarfjørður M Húsavík

A J J G

Dalur

Skúgvoy

D J F N

0 1 2 3 A J J

D J F N

kilometres A S

J J

61º 45’

December 2000 Oil Spill Sensitivity Maps of the Faroe Islands Region 4 Streymoy (south)

Kaldbak

D J F N

M O D J

A F

S N

M M

A Kaldbaksfjørður

O J J

A N S

J J

0 1 2 3

D J F N

O kilometres

J J Hoyvík

Tórshavn Streymoy

Nólsoy

G Nólsoyarfjørður 62º 00’ Koltur Argir D J F N M D J Hestsfjørður F O Nólsoy D J N

F A M

N S O

M M

O A J S J

M A

S A

J J

Hestur

D J F N

O A

S D J

M F

A N

J J M

J J

7º 00’ 6º 50’ 6º 40’

December 2000 Oil Spill Sensitivity Maps of the Faroe Islands Region 7 Eysturoy (south)

6º 50’ 6º 40’

Selatrað Skalí Gotuvík

D J F N D J F M N O

A O

S A

M J J

Hósvík A J

Eysturoy J Sundini

D J F N M D J F

O Glyvrar N A M

S O

Innan Glyvur A Lambavík

J S J

J J Streymoy Kollafjørður Saltangará

D J F N

Strendur O

D J A

F S

N M

M A

O J

J J Tangafjørður Rituvík Runavík Saltnes

D J F N

J J Toftir N

62º 05’

0 1 2 3

kilometres

Kaldbak

D J F N

J J

December 2000 Oil Spill Sensitivity Maps of the Faroe Islands

Region 9 Eysturoy (north) 62º 20’

D J F N

J Gjógv J Djúpini

Funningsfjørður D J F N

J J

Elduvík D J F Funningur N M

A J J Oyndarfjøður Oyndarfjørður

Eysturoy 62º 15’ Fuglafjørður

G G

0 1 2 3

kilometres

D J F N

S 62º 10’

J J

D J F N

Selatrað A S

J J Skalí Hósvík 6º 50’ December 2000 Oil Spill Sensitivity Maps of the Faroe Islands Region 10 Bordoy

Húsar Kunoy G Árnafjørður Svínoy 62º 20’

D J F N

Kalsoy S

J J

D J D J F F N N M M

Klaksvík A

J J J J

Bordoy

D J F N

Leirvík O

A J Norðragøta Eysturoy J

D J F N

O A

D J S

F M

N A J M J

G O

S N

J J

0 1 2 3 62º 10’ kilometres

6º 40’ 6º 30’ 6º 20’

December 2000 Oil Spill Sensitivity Maps of the Faroe Islands Region 11 Viðoy

6º 40’ 6º 30’ 6º 20’

D J F N

J J

0 1 2 3

kilometres

D J F N

M D J

A F J J N Viðareiði

O D J F

A N

S M

M O A

D J A J F Haraldssund J N

J J

D J F N

A J

D J J F D J N F M N

M O

S A

J S

D M

F M

N A J J

M A J

O J

M Fugloy A J

Mikladalur J D J F N

62º 20’ A S

J J D J F N Viðoy M

Kunoy S

Kalsoyarfjørður M

D J A J F J N

J J D J F N

A Fugloyarfjørður

J Kalsoy J

Hvannasund G Norðepil G

D J F Kunoy N M Svínoy

A J

Borðoy J Svínoy

December 2000