Fish Vet Group tel. + 44 ( 0) 1463 717774 22 Carsegate Rd fax. + 44 ( 0) 1463 717775 FishVet Inverness44 IV3 SEX e. info@fishvetgroup. com Scotland UK w. w . fishvetgroup. com Groupf

Benthic Report 2

1. Introduction 2

2. Methodology 2 2.2. 11 Physico-Physico- chemical chemical 2 2. 1. 1 Sediment descriptive information 2

2. 1. 2 Particle Size Analysis ( PSA) 33

2.2. 1.1. 33 CarbonCarbon LossLoss onon Ignition Ignition( ( LOI)LOI) 3 2. 2. Benthic Macrofauna 3

3. Results & Discussion 3

3. 1 Physico- chemical 3

3. 1. 1 Sediment descriptive information 3

3. 1. 2 Particle Size Analysis ( PSA) 4

3. 1. 3 Carbon Loss on Ignition ( LOI) 5

3. 2 Benthic Macrofauna 5

3. 2. 1 Univariate Analyses 6 3. 2. 2 Multivariate Analyses 10

4. Conclusions 12

5. References 13

Ardyne: Extended Baseline Survey 1 Survey date: 07 & 12 November 2018

FVG Ltd trading as Fish Vet Group Company Registration No 267850 Scotland VAT No. 100 1348 86 Benthic Report

1, Introduction

An Extended Baseline benthic survey of a proposed fish farm development at Ardyne, Argyll & Bute was conducted on the Tb and 121" November 2018, in accordance with the protocols specified in the SEPA Fish Farm Manual ( 1998). Staff of Scottish Salmon Company., conducted the sampling survey.

Document 3. Site Map shows the locations of the sampled stations and Table 1 of Data Sheets 4 and 5 detail the station coordinates.

2. Methodology

Sediment samples were collected from 12 stations using a 0.045m2 van Veen grab. Transect direction ran South from the existing group cage edge ( 0m) spanning a distance of 800m. Reference stations are located to the South of the site ( Ref 1) and to the North ( Ref 2). Position fixing was achieved using GPS.

b ry

CE Om, at the South cage edge of the existing group

50m 50m from CE on a bearing of 179°T loom 100m from CE on a bearing of 1797 200m 200m from CE on a bearing of 1797 300m 300m from CE on a bearing of 1797

400m 400m from CE on a bearing of 179° T 500m 500m from CE on a bearing of 1797 600m 600m from CE on a bearing of 1797 700m 700m from CE on a bearing of 1797 800m 800m from CE on a bearing of 1797

Ref 1 Reference station, 1. 18km on a bearing of 166° T from CE Ref 2 Reference station, 1. 19km on a bearing of 3527 from CE

2.2. 11 Physico-Physico- chemicalchemical

2.2. 1.1. 11 Sediment Sediment descriptive descriptive information information AA visualvisual assessment assessment ofof thethe sediment sediment sample sample inin eacheach grabgrab waswas mademade priorprior toto sample sample processing.processing. TheThe colourcolour andand texturetexture ofof thethe sedimentsediment waswas noted,noted, alongalong withwith thethe presence presence oror absence absence ofof foodfood oror Beggiatoa Beggiatoa matsmats andand anyany indication indication ofof outgassing outgassing oror presence presence ofof hydrogen hydrogen sulphide. sulphide.

Ardyne:Ardyne: ExtendedExtended BaselineBaseline SurveySurvey SurveySurvey date:date: 07 07& & 1212 November November 20182018

1348 FVGFVG LtdLtd trading trading asas FishFish VetVet Group Group Company Company Registration Registration No:No: 267850 267850 Scotland Scotland VAT No.No. 100 1348 86 2. 1. 2 Particle Size Analysis ( PSA) At each station, using a separate grab sample, a 150ml sub -sample of sediment was collected from the sample surface ( 0- 2cm). These samples were stored in plastic pots and later frozen to await analysis. Particle size analysis was carried out by dry sieving at Peatfield Scientific Ltd., Banchory.

2. 1. 3 Carbon Loss on Ignition ( LOI) At each station, a 100ml sub -sample of sediment was collected from the surface ( 0- 2cm) of a separate single grab sample. On return to the laboratory, the samples were stored frozen to await analysis. Carbon analysis was carried out at Peatfield Scientific Ltd., Banchory, using Loss on Ignition ( LOI) at 4500C.

2. 2. Benthic Macrofauna

Sediment samples were taken according to the SEPA protocol ( SEPA 2008) using standard techniques ( Holme & McIntyre 1971). Each sample was processed separately. Samples taken for macrofaunal analysis were sieved through a 1mm sieve on site and the retained fauna and sieve material was transferred to 1 litre

plastic containers and fixed with a borax buffered formalin ( 40% formaldehyde) solution. This solution was then diluted with seawater by 2- 3 times to give a 15- 20% formaldehyde solution. Samples were allowed to fix for a minimum of 24 hours. On transfer to the laboratory the samples were rinsed, transferred to trays, the macrofauna removed and stored in vials containing 70% IMS. Macrofauna was identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible.

3. Results & Discussion

3. 1 Physico- chemical

3. 1. 1 Sediment descriptive information Descriptions of the sediment samples are summarised in Table 2 of Data Sheets 4 and 5.

Average percentage grab fill was 50% at CE ( 0m), 100% at all other transect stations, Ref 1 and Ref 2.

Depths have been corrected to chart datum: CE ( 0m) shows a depth of 39. 0m, with depth along the transect ( from 50m to 800m) ranging from 39.8-43. 1m. Reference stations are shallower; 33. 9m at Ref 1, 37. 4m at Ref 2.

Sediment at CE ( 0m) is described as grey mud and stone with a medium consistency; 50m as soft, grey mud. Stations from 100m to 800m, Ref 1 and Ref 2 are soft sandy mud; brown at 100m, light brown elsewhere.

No smell, outgassing, fungus, food, faeces or organic waste overlying the sediment was noted at any station. The condition of the sediment at all stations is within SEPA 2006 quality standards.

Ardyne: Extended Baseline Survey 3 survey date: 07 & 12 November 2018

FVG Ltd trading as Fish Vet Group Company Registration No: 267850 Scotland VAT No. 100 1348 86 3. 1. 2 Particle Size Analysis ( PSA) Sample particle size proportions are given in Table 5 of Data Sheets 4 and 5, Document 6 ( for PSA Report) and are summarised in the table and graph below:

Gravel Silt & Clay Folk Sediment Sand (%) Classification

CE 3. 9 67. 6 28. 5 Mud and sandy mud 50m 1. 3 57. 9 40. 8 Mud and sandy mud loom 0. 6 59. 2 40. 1 Mud and sandy mud 200m 0. 0 35. 3 64. 7 Mud and sandy mud 300m 57. 5 1 0. 0 42. 5 Mud and sandy mud 400m 0. 2 44. 3 55. 4 Mud and sandy mud 50om 0. 0 39. 5 60. 5 Mud and sandy mud 600m 0. 0 41. 2 58. 8 Mud and sandy mud 700m 0. 0 37. 9 62. 1 Mud and sandy mud Boom 0. 0 37. 3 62. 7 Mud and sandy mud Ref 1 0. 6 68. 4 31. 0 Mud and sandy mud Ref 2 0.2 75. 2 24. 6 Mud and sandy mud

100%100%

90%90%

80%80%

70%70%

60%60%

50%50% SiltSilt & & ClayClay

40%40% Sand Sand

30%30% Gravel Gravel

20%20%

10%10%

0%0% PePeKKIVIV

SedimentSediment compositioncomposition atat allall stationsstations isis aa mixmix ofof sandsand andand siltsilt clay;clay; sandiestsandiest atat CE,CE, thethe transecttransect stationsstations nearestnearest thethe cagescages andand atat bothboth referencereference stations,stations, finerfiner atat thethe 200-200- 800m800m stations.stations. AA smallsmall amountamount ofof gravelgravel isis present present atat CECE andand 50m.50m.

Particle Particle sizesize analysisanalysis showsshows thatthat composition composition atat CECE isis 68%68% sand,sand, 29%29% siltsilt clayclay andand 4%4% gravel.gravel. 50m50m andand 100m100m areare slightlyslightly finer;finer; 58%58% andand 59%59% sand,sand, 41%41% andand 40%40% siltsilt clayclay andand withwith 1 1% % gravelgravel atat 50m.50m. SedimentSediment atat thethe 200m 200m- - 800m800m stations stations isis similarsimilar andand finer;finer; 55-55- 65%65% silt,silt, 35-35- 44%44% sand sand and and< < 1%1% gravel.gravel. RefRef 11 andand RefRef 22 areare similarsimilar inin

Atdyne:Atdyne: Extended Extended Baseline Baseline SurveySurvey 44 SurveySurvey date:date: 0707 & & 1212 November November 20182018

VATVAT No.No. 100 1348 86 FVG FVG LtdLtd tradingtrading as as FishFish VetVet GroupGroup CompanyCompany Registration Registration No:No: 267850 267850 Scotland Scotland composition to CE, comprising mainly sand ( 68% and 75%), some silt clay ( 31 % and 25%), but < 1 % gravel.

The simplified classification of the Folk triangle for UK SeaMap ( Long 2006) classes all stations as' mud and sandy mud'.

3. 1. 3 Carbon Loss on Ignition ( LOI) Percentage carbon LOI results are given in Table 4 of Data Sheets 4 and 5, and are shown below.

Station CE ( 0m) 50m loom 200m 300m 400m

Carbon LOI(%) 12. 08 8. 84 5. 73 5. 29 6. 3 6. 46

Station 50om 600m 700m 800m Ref 1 Ref 2

Carbon LOI (%) 6. 52 7. 28 7. 38 8. 02 3. 13 1. 73

The carbon LOI values at CE and 50m are highest ( 12. 08% and 8. 84%), with values of 5.29-8.02% across the 100m -800m stations, and lower values at Ref 1 ( 3. 13%) and Ref 2 ( 1. 73%).

3. 2 Benthic Macrofauna

The variation in benthic macrofauna between sampling stations is largely determined by the changes in the physical and chemical characteristics of the sediment (Pearson Rosenberg 1978). Opportunistic such as Capitella sp., Nematoda sp. and Malacoceros fuliginosus dominate enriched sediments often found under fish cages and at cage edge. The presence of Beggiatoa mats ( sulphide oxidising bacteria); restricted species lists and elevated abundances of a few species are often indicators of poor sediment quality and highly anoxic conditions. Variations in particle size will also affect the composition of the benthic community.

The species -abundance matrices are given in Sheet 6. Species Abundance Matrix. Where abundance of commonly occurring, species is greater than 200 individuals and has been estimated this is shown in bold. To establish relationships between the macrofaunal species composition, temporally at each sampling station, the macrofauna data was examined using a combination of univariate and multivariate analyses. These analyses were obtained by using the PRIMER ( Plymouth Routines In Multivariate Ecological Research) statistical package. Replicate samples were pooled for each station therefore Univariate results reflect the results for an area of 3 x 0. 045 ( 0. 135m2).

Anlyne: Extended Baseline Survey survey date: 07 & 12 November 2018

FVG Ltd trading as Fish Vet Group Company Registration No: 267850 Scotland VAT No. 100 1348 86 3. 2. 1 Univariate Analyses Univariate measures, i. e. species abundance, richness, diversity and evenness of the benthic faunal communities, can be used as indicators of sediment health ( Pielou 1984). The results of the univariate analysis ( Biological Indices and ITI scores) are presented in Table 6 of Data Sheets 4 and 5. The following faunal indices were derived for each station.

Number of species or taxa ( S) - Most useful where samples are of very similar volume and less so if sample volumes are very different. Low numbers may be an indication of a polluted environment.

Number of Individuals/Abundance ( N) - Equally, only useful if sample volumes are very similar. Enrichment may lead to elevated abundances.

Magalef s Species Richness Index ( d) - An index of the species present for a given number of individuals. The index value tends to be higher where there is less environmental stress.

Shannon Wiener Diversity Index ( J) - A combined index of species richness and evenness; it measures the degree of difficulty in predicting the identity of the next in the sample. Where the number of species is high and the abundance of each species is relatively even the index will be higher.

Pielou' s Evenness Index ( H' Log2) - Expresses evenness of distribution of

individuals for each species found. The index value is higher where the abundance of each species is similar, low where one species dominates.

Infaunal Trophic Index ( ITI) ( Codling & Ashley 1992, Word 1990). Calculation of the ITI qualifies the ecology or habits of the taxa found. This index helps to describe pollution gradients from sewerage and industrial discharges on the basis of the taxa present. Unlike the previous indices, ITI uses information on the feeding methods of the various species found. Each species or taxa is allocated to one of four Trophic Groups ( Groups) listed below, based on the type and source of the food it consumes:

Trophic group Feeding Method Group 1 Suspension feeders Group 2 Surface detritus feeders Group 3 Surface deposit feeders Group 4 Sub surface deposit feeders

The formula for the derivation of the ITI is as follows, where Ni, N2, N3 and N4 are the number of in Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. ITI values range from 0 to 100.

ITI = 100 — [33. 3 {( N2 + 2N3 + 3N4) / ( Ni + N2 + N3 + N4))]

Ardyne: Extended Baseline survey 6 Survey date: 07 & 12 November 2018

Registration No: 267850 Scotland VAT No. 100 1348 86 FVG Ltd trading as Fish Vet Group Company Composition of the macrobenthic community will change with nutrient availability. An increase in nutrient input will result in a reduction in the proportion of filter feeders and an increase in deposit feeders and will alter the ITI value. Filter feeders such as Fabulina spp., are allocated to Group 1 and therefore score highly. Group 4 mainly comprises deposit feeders, characteristic of organic pollution, such as Capitella sp., and their presence in high numbers will result in a reduction in the index value. The theory is that an increase in sediment nutrients changes environmental conditions to a situation where lower T Group species will thrive and dominate.

If only organic deposit feeders are present, the index score is close to zero, where more environmentally sensitive species dominate the score is significantly higher. ITI only gives a rough indication of pollution status but the following guidelines are proposed.

ITI Pollution status 60- 100 Community normal 30- 60 Community changed 30 Community degraded

Faunal analysis results for each sample station are given in the following table:

Sample Number Abundance Margalef' s Pielou' s Shannon- No of Density ITI Station of N) Species Evenness Wiener Enrichment of EPs species Richness J') H') mz) S) d) Log 2 EP) species

CE 18 236 3. 11 0. 64 2. 68 2 593 10. 84

50m 22 229 3. 86 0. 62 2. 75 2 726 14. 77 loom 35 478 5. 51 0.66 3. 39 2 15 56. 00

200m 30 176 5. 61 0. 66 3.23 2 15 57. 96

300m 21 107 4. 28 0. 78 3. 43 0 0 55. 14

400m 25 123 4. 99 0. 75 3. 50 2 15 56. 83

500m 19 107 3. 85 0. 71 3. 03 0 0 56. 51

600m 17 113 3.38 0. 79 3. 24 0 0 66. 97

700m 16 129 3. 09 0. 80 3. 21 0 0 65. 38

800m 23 325 3. 80 0. 67 3. 01 1 15 66. 26

Ref 1 33 154 6. 35 0. 82 4. 14 1 7 63. 60 Ref 2 43 204 1 7. 90 0. 71 3. 88 3 30 73. 07

Ardyne: Extended Baseline Survey Yl Survey date: 07 & 12 November 2018

FVG Ltd trading as Fish Vet Group Company Registration No: 267850 Scotland VAT No. 100 1348 86 The top 3 species within each sampling station, ranked according to abundance, are provided in the table below:

Station Ranked Top 3 Predominant Trophic Abundance of total Species Group abundance

1. Nematoda (> 1cm) 4 92 39 CE 2. Capitella sp. 4 41 18 3. Malacoceros fuliginosus 4 39 17

4 95 41 1. Capitella sp. Som 2. Nematoda (> 1cm) 4 60 26 3. koreni 3 17 7

1. Scalibregma inflatum 2 136 28 loom 2. Kurtiella bidentata 2 77 16 3. Mediomastus fragilis 3 60 13

1. Scalibregma inflatum 2 82 47 2. Lagis koreni 3 18 10 200m 3. = Pholoe baltica 3 10 6 Kurtiella bidentata 2 10 6

1. Scalibregma inflatum 2 36 34 300m 2. Nucula nitidosa 3 15 14

3. 2 10 9

1. Scalibregma inflatum 2 36 30

400m 2. Abra alba 2 25 20 3. Nucula nitidosa 3 13 11

1. Scalibregma inflatum 2 36 34 500m 2. Abra alba 2 22 21 3. Nucula nitidosa 3 16 15

1. Kurtiella bidentata 2 32 29 600m 2. Amphiura filiformis 1 24 21 3. Nucula nitidosa 3 10 9

1. Amphiura filiformis 1 28 22 700m 2. Kurtiella bidentata 2 27 21 3. Scalibregma inflatum 2 19 15

1. Amphiura filiformis 1 83 26 800m 2. Kurtiella bidentata 2 82 25 3. Scalibregma inflatum 2 55 17

1. Amphiura filiformis 1 25 16 Ref 1 2. Amphiura chiajei 2 20 13 3. Kurtiella bidentata 2 17 11 1. Amphiura filiformis 1 75 37 2• Abra nitida 2 19 9 Ref 2 3. = Thyasira flexuosa 3 12 6

Kurtiella bidentata 2 12 6

Ardyne: Extended Baseline Survey ZS Survey date: 07 & 12 November 2018

Registration No: 267850 Scotland VAT No. 100 1348 86 FVG Ltd trading as Fish Vet Group Company The faunal analysis results from the ten transect stations show generally low species numbers and moderate to low abundance, with correspondingly low Richness scores. Reference stations record moderate species numbers and abundance and achieve the highest Richness and Shannon Wiener index values.

There is evidence of some environmental impact at CE and 50m where enrichment tolerant species dominate and the ITI scores indicate degraded communities.

The more distant transect stations ( 100m -800m) show little evidence of enrichment: enrichment tolerant are absent or present in extremely low numbers, and Shannon Wiener values are good (> 3). ITI scores place the 100m -500m communities in the upper part of the ' changed' category, and the communities at 600- 800m on the transect in the ' normal' category alongside Ref 1 and Ref 2.

Reference Stations Ref 1 and Ref 2 record 33 and 43 species respectively, with lower abundance at Ref 1 ( 154) than Ref 2 ( 204). Richness value is correspondingly lower for Ref 1 ( 6. 35) than Ref 2 ( 7. 90), however Shannon Wiener and Evenness values are higher for Ref 1 ( 4. 14 and 0. 82) than Ref 2 ( 3. 88 and 0. 71). Echinoderm Amphiura flliformis is top ranking at both stations, contributing 16% of total abundance at Ref 1, 37% at Ref 2, With Amphiura chiajei ranked second at Ref 1 ( 13%), bivalve Abra nitida at Ref 2 9%), and bivalve Kurtiella bidentata ranked third at both stations ( 11 % and 6%).

Transect Stations CE and the 50m station record low species numbers ( 18 and 22 respectively) and similar abundance ( 236 and 229), with Richness correspondingly low ( average 3.49). Enrichment tolerant species dominate composition; contributing 39% and 26% of total abundance respectively at CE and 50m, enrichment polychaete ( EP) Capitella sp., 18% and 41%, with EP Malacoceros fuliginosus ranked third at CE ( 17%), Group 3 polychaete Lagis koreni third at 50m ( 7%). This is reflected in the lowest Shannon Wiener (- 2. 72) and Evenness (- 0. 63) values.

The 100m and 200m stations record wider species lists ( 35 and 30) which compare more favourably to reference numbers. Richness ( average - 5.56) and Shannon Wiener (average - 3.31) values improve, however Evenness remains low (0.66). The more distant transect stations, 300- 800m, record low species numbers ( 16- 25) and generally low abundance ( 107- 129); higher at 800m ( 325). Richness ranges from 3.09-4.99, Shannon Wiener values from 3.01- 3.50, and Evenness 0.67-0. 80.

Faunal composition shows some similarities in top ranking species across the transect stations; polychaete Scalibregma inflatum is top ranking at 100m -500m ( 28- 47%), and is ranked third at 700m and 800m ( 15% and 17%), mollusc Nucula nitidosa is ranked second or third at 300- 600m ( 9- 15%), mollusc Abra alba at 300- 500m( 9-21%). In common with the reference stations, A. rtiiformis is high ranking at 600- 800m ( 21- 26%), K. bidentata contributing 21- 29%.

Species of Interest Various stations record low numbers of Mytilus edulis ( PMF as beds). Single specimens of Artica icelandica Quv) were recorded at 100m and Ref 1.

Ardyne: Extended Baseline Survey 9 Survey date: 07 R 12 November 2018

FVG Ltd trading as Fish Vet Group Company Registration No: 267850 Scotland VAT No. 100 1348 86 Enrichment Polychaetes & ITI Scores Organic enrichment polychaete density is elevated at CE ( 593/ m2) and 50m ( 726/ m2) and, with Group 4 species making up 83% and 71% of total abundance, ITI scores are low ( 10. 84 and 14. 77) classing both communities as ' degraded'.

EPs are either absent or present at an extremely low density ( 15/m2) at the remaining transect stations, comparing well to densities of 7/ m2 and 30/ m2 at Ref 1 and Ref 2.

ITI scores for the 100m -500m stations of 55. 14- 57. 96 place the communities in the upper part of the ' changed' category, with scores of 65. 38- 66. 97 placing the 600- 800m stations in the ' normal' category, mid- range between Ref 1 ( 63.60) and Ref 2 73. 07).

3. 2. 2 Multivariate Analyses

Bray Curtis The results of the Bray Curtis Similarity analysis carried out on the macrofaunal data are given in Document 5. This shows grouping according to the similarities in species composition between the sampling stations.

At 50% similarity the stations form four groups: The more distant transect stations ( 300- 800m) grouped at > 57% similarity, and sharing 52% similarity with Ref 1 A pairing of the 100m and 200m stations, where species number is highest on the transect, paired at 55% Ref 2, the sandier reference station, standing alone, having split from the above groups at 38%

A pairing of the enriched stations, CE and 50m, at 54%, which shares little 21%) similarity with any other station.

Ardyne: Extended Baseline survey 10 survey date: 07 & 12 November 2018

FVG Ltd trading as Fish Vet Group Company Registration No: 267850 Scotland VAT No. 100 1348 86 Ordination ( MDS) The results of the ordination analysis are given as a two- dimensional plot in Document 5. The axes represent the most significant trends shown in the species data.

L

Superimposed groups at 50% similarity confirm the results of the Bray Curtis similarity analysis. The stress level ( 0. 05) corresponds to a good ordination with no real prospect of misinterpretation. The enriched stations, CE and 50m, are remote from all other stations as composition is dissimilar The 100m and 200m stations, where species lists are wider, are a short distance from the more distant transect stations which share some similarities in composition Ref 1 shares some trends with the more distant transect stations ( 300- 800m) Ref 2, the sandier reference station, is more distant from the majority of transect stations than Ref 1

Ardyne: Extended Baseline Survey 11 Survey date: 07 & 12 November 2018

FVG Ltd trading as Fish Vet Group Company Registration No 267850 Scotland VAT No. 100 1348 86 Conclusions

Summary of Benthic Survey Results Sediment is classed as ' mud and sandy mud' at all stations, with the coarsest, grey sediment found at transect start cage edge CE(Om) and 50m, stations further from the existing cage group and at the reference stations light brown in colour. Carbon LOI results are moderate at CE and 50m, lower at the more distant transect stations and lowest at the reference stations.

The faunal analysis results from the ten transect stations show generally low species numbers and moderate to low abundance, with correspondingly low Richness scores. Reference stations record moderate species numbers and abundance and achieve the highest Richness and Shannon Wiener index values.

There is evidence of some environmental impact at CE and 50m where enrichment tolerant species dominate and the ITI scores indicate degraded communities. The more distant transect stations ( 100m -800m) show little evidence of enrichment: enrichment tolerant polychaetes are absent or present in extremely low numbers, and Shannon Wiener values are good (> 3). Faunal composition, particularly at the more distant transect stations, shares similarities with Ref 1 where sediment composition is most similar. ITI scores place the 100m -500m communities in the upper part of the ' changed' category, and the communities at 600- 800m in the normal' category alongside Ref 1 and Ref 2.

Ardyne: Extended Baseline Survey 12 Survey date: 07 & 12 November 2018

VAT No. 100 1348 86 FVG Ltd trading as Fish Vet Group Company Registration No: 267850 Scotland 5. References

Codling, I. D., Ashley, S. J., 1992. Development of a biotic index for the assessment of pollution status of marine benthic communities. Final report to SNIFFER and NRA. NR3102/ 1 or Water Research Council Report No. SR 2995, Marlow, Bucks SI -7 2HD, UK.

Holm and McIntyre, N. A. & McIntyre, A.D. 1971 Methods for the study of marine benthos. IBP handbook No 16, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. 334pp

Pearson, T. H. and Rosenberg, R ( 1978) Macrobenthic succession in relation to organic enrichment and pollution of the marine environment. Oceanography and Marine Biology Annual review, 16, 229- 311

Pielou, E. C. 1984. The interpretation of ecological data. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 263pp

SEPA (2006). Regulation and monitoring of marine cage fish farming in Scotland — a procedures manual. Annex A, A1. 3. 3 Sediment quality.

SEPA (2008). Regulation and monitoring of marine cage fish farming in Scotland — a procedures manual.

Word. 1990. The Infaunal Trophic Index, a functional approach to benthic community analysis. PhD thesis. University of Washington, 97pp

Ardyne: Extended Baseline Survey 13 Survey date: 07 & 12 November 2018

FVG Ltd trading as Fish Vet Group Company Registration No 267850 Scotland VAT No. 100 1348 86 208000 209000 210000

5Kilometers Legend Current meter location Existing

Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin,669000670000670000¯ Intermap, increment0P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, OrdnanceSurvey,Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), swisstopo,0. © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community 210000669000208000 209000