Rùm, Inner Hebrides

BASELINE VIDEO SURVE Y REPORT 2016 Contents

1.0 Introduction ...... 3 1.1 Screening- Scoping Guidance ...... 3

2.0 Methods ...... 3 2.1 Survey Transects ...... 3 2.2 Equipment ...... 6

3.0 Results & Conclusions ...... 7 4.0 Appendix 1. Species identified and stills extracted from raw video footage ...... 10 5.0 Appendix 2. Species present summary sheet ...... 28 1.0 Introduction

The Visual Seabed Assessment contained in this document has been completed by Marine Harvest Scotland) Limited ( MHS) and forms part of an application to the Local Planning Authority ( LPA) which proposes to establish a new salmon farm in the coastal waters off the Isle of Rum. The document will also be submitted to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency ( SEPA) as part of an application for a new CAR Licence in line with the proposal detailed in the planning application form.

The purpose of this survey and associated report is to provide a visual description of the seafloor beneath likely areas of impact. Copies of the raw video footage have been provided directly to SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage ( SNH), and the LPA.

1.1 Screening-Scoping Guidance

The assessment has been provided following requests by SNH and SEPA during the screening- scoping process. A copy of the full screening- scoping response has been provided in the planning application. MHS has subsequently confirmed appropriate transects to survey following direct communication with SEPA and SNH.

2.0 Methods

The survey detailed in this document was carried out by MHS staff on the 31st of May 2016, using the transect lines and equipment detailed in Section 2.1 & 2.2.

2.1 Survey Transects

The transect lines selected for surveying were determined using the benthic & slice footprints predicted using AutoDepomod modelling with the aim of covering new areas of potential impact ; a modelling report has been provided as part of the final planning application and CAR application. The agreed transect lines are illustrated in Figure 2.1a and detailed in Table 2.1a. The actual tracks followed by the vessel are indicated in Figure 2.1b-e. Figure 2.1a. Agreed transect lines

Table 1: Transect details Transect Starting Coordinate Ending Coordinate Approximate Length 1 57° 02.810’N 006° 16.741’W 57° 02.541’N 006° 15.816’W 1050m 2 57° 02.816’N 006° 16.321’W 57° 02.598’N 006° 16.542’W 450m 3 57° 02.712’N 006° 15.911’W 57° 02.471’N 006° 16.152’W 500m

Figure 2.1b & c. Vessel tracks along transect line 1 Figure 2.1d & e. Vessel tracks along transect line 2 & 3

Figure 2.1f Modelled Benthic Footprint 2.2 Equipment

Camera System

A GoPro camera was used to capture footage of the seabed. This camera operates under a minimum illumination of 0.25 lx. A Deepsea Mini-SeaLite fitted with a 50W halogen lamp is installed at the side of the camera head for additional illumination. The light has been diffused to reduce glare.

The camera and light are installed on a stainless steel sled and manually drawn across the seabed by the combined rope / cable whilst the supply vessel moves along the designated transect. The configuration of the sled can be seen in Figure 2.1b.

Positioning System

The system has an integral video overlay unit which displays the position of the supply boat on the footage monitor at all times. This is achieved from connection to a Garmin GPS152 with its antenna situated in the centre of the supply vessel. The video overlay unit and the GoPro Camera are time stamped to allow positioning of species and features identified. 3.0 Results & Conclusions

The footage for each transect has been viewed and still images extracted of each species found. Each species has then been identified or possible identification suggested, and frequency estimated using two separate abundance scales, both of which address different aspects of species occurrence. The frequency estimate recorded is based upon a variant of the Marine Scotland Science ROCA abundance scale, combining aspects of the Marine Nature Conservation Review abundance scale. The abundance classification used is defined below:

Table 2: Frequency scale

X Rare < 5 in 10 minutes XX Occasional < 25 and >5 in 10 minutes XXX Common Every few minutes XXXX Abundant Almost all frames or multiples within some frames XXXXX Super Abundant All frames and multiples within some or all frames

The second abundance scale utilised is the JNCC SACFOR scale which focuses more on an overall occurrence within an area, and more commonly is utilised during quadrat sampling of habitats with encrusting epifauna or high density communities. However it can be applied to video footage by estimating the likely density of organisms within the area.

Rather than just assessing the number of organisms to determine frequency, abundance within this format is also dependent on the size of the individuals and colonies assessed. As such there can be some discrepancy between the scales. This is particularly noticeable for occasional and rare species which can change abundance classification under the SACFOR scale based upon the organisms’ average sizing.

This information has been provided in Plates 5a, 5b in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2.

Priority Marine Feature – Species

The video analysis did not identify any species classified as priority marine features in their own right.

Priority Marine Feature - Habitats

The seabed consists mainly of circalittoral fine mud ( SS.SMu.CFiMu) , areas are identifiable as habitat priority marine feature ( PMF) - Burrowed Mud; Seapens and burrowing megafauna in circalittoral fine mud ( SS.SMu.CFiMu.SpnMeg) based upon the presence of the phosphorescent sea pen ( Pennatula phosphorea). This species does not however occur in high densities and therefore the overall quality of this component is assessed as low.

As there was not an observed presence of: Tall Seapens ( Funiculina quadrangularis), Fireworks anemones ( Pachycerianthus multiplicatus) or mud burrowing amphipods ( Maera loveni) and the presence of Maxmuelleria lankesteri cannot be ascertained from video footage, these biotopes within the Burrowed Mud PMF were discounted.

In conclusion the video survey identified Priority Marine Feature habitat Burrowed Mud, however no further classification into PMF components could be made and the burrowed mud showed wide coverage over the survey area. As burrowed mud is considered to have low sensitivity to the possible impacts from aquaculture it is considered likely that there will be no significant risk to the integrity of burrowed mud within this area as a result of an aquaculture site.

Table 3a. Habitat Priority Marine Features

PMF Component biotopes/ species Component biotopes/ species Biotope / common name) Code / species name) Burrowed 1. Tall seapen Funiculina quadrangularis Mud

2. Fireworks anemone Pachycerianthus multiplicatus

3. Mud burrowing amphipod Maera loveni

4. Seapens and burrowing megafauna in SS.SMu.CFiMu.SpnMeg circalittoral fine mud

5. Burrowing megafauna and Maxmuelleria SS.SMu.CFiMu.MegMax lankesteri in circalittoral mud

Protected Areas

There are several designations within the proposed area of the site these are:

Marine Protected Area - Sea of the Hebrides Marine Protected Area - Small Isles Special Areas of Conservation - Inner Hebrides and the Minches Special Protection Area - Rum National Scenic Area - The Small Isles

Of these the features relevant to this benthic video survey are:

Northern sea fan and sponge communities Burrowed mud Circalittoral sand and mud communities Horse mussel beds Shelf deeps Fan mussel aggregations Northern feather star aggregations on mixed substrata White cluster anemones The recorded footage has been assessed for the presence of all of the above listed features, those identified consisted of burrowed mud and circalittoral sand and mud communities, all others were confirmed as being absent from the proposed location.

These two features are interlinked as the mud community in question is burrowed mud. In assessment of the quality and robustness of this feature species abundance, contribution to similarity and sensitivity are examined.

Species considered representative of this environment and present in the video survey are:

Pennatula phosphorea - Rare/ Occasional Cerianthus lloydii - Rare/ Occasional Nephrops norvegicus - Common Pagurus bernhardus - Rare/ Occasional Liocarcinus depurator - Rare Turritella communis - Abundant Asterias rubens - Rare Munida rugosa - Rare/ Occasional Amphiura filiformis - Rare

Of these, the key species in defining the dissimilarity between this biotope and others are Cerianthus lloydii and Nephrops norvegicus, which together account for between 30% and 31% of similarity to biotope type SS.SMu.CFiMu and SS.SMu.CFiMu.SpnMeg. Whereas, the phosphorescent seapen has led to the possible classification of SS.SMu.CFiMu.SpnMeg, the main seapen species to contribute to this biotope would in fact be Virgularia mirabilis, the Slender seapen, which is absent from this survey.

Therefore based upon similarity and abundance, Pennatula phosphorea, Cerianthus lloydii and Nephrops norvegicus are considered to be of most relevance. Of these Nephrops norvegicus is the only species to show more than an occasional appearance. This frequency is based upon estimated burrow counts and frequency has been assessed as precautionary as there are limited sightings of individual’ s out with or within the burrows and only some showing the “ highway” marks indicating habitation. It is therefore considered that the quality of this habitat is not exceptional, while it is a reasonable example of the habitat, this level of burrowed mud is common and spread over a wide area both within the survey area and within the protected area itself, this provides strong integrity for this feature as the area impact by the proposed aquaculture site will be confined to a limited footprint.

Physical pressures possible to result from aquaculture include smothering and increase in suspended sediment. Nephrops norvegicus are considered to be tolerant to changes in these factors. Chemically they are considered tolerant to changes in nutrient levels, but are moderately sensitive to changes in oxygenation. As oxygenation is monitored under the SEPA sampling requirements this is not predicted to be cause for concern, particularly as impact from aquaculture is limited to an area directly in the vicinity of the site and the survey shows extensive habitat suitable for Nephrops norvegicus within the area.

In conclusion it is considered that there will be negligible impact to the integrity of the burrowed mud component of the Small Isles MPA and all other component features and species are absent from the surveyed area, thereby removing them from plausible impact. 4.0 Appendix 1. Species identified and stills extracted from raw video footage

Plate 5a. Species Identified on the Seabed: Rum May 2016 - Transect 1a & 1b

Transect 1a & 1b

Transect start: Transect end: Orientation: HD GoPro Video duration: 57° 02.8225’N 57° 02.5792’N NW to SE 01:21:06 & 49:33 006° 16.7951’W 006° 15.9058’W HD Video SACFOR Common Name Latin Name Status HD Screen shot Geotagged Screen shot Time Video Co-ordinate Frequency JNCC Scale Frame

12:55:52 04:56 57° 02.8222’N 006° 15.7945’W

XXXXX Common Fountain Anemone Sagartiogeton laceratus No Special Status Super 10-99/ m2 Abundant 1- 3 cm

12:57:42 06:51 57° 02.8168’N 006° 16.7609’W

12:56:38 05:45 57° 02.8205’N 006° 16.7767’W

Occasional Phosphorescent Sea PMF Component X 1-9/ 1000m2 Pennatula phosphorea Pen Species Rare 15 cm

13:11:28 20:38 57° 02.7742’N 006° 16.6132’W 13:19:42 28.51 57° 02.7582’N 006° 16.5831’W

Berne Convention ( III) Occasional XX Common Goby Pomatoschistus microps 1-9/ 100m2 Occasional IUCN Red List 3-15 cm Least Concern

12:59:10 08:17 57° 02.8083’N 006° 16.7339’W

Rare X Grey Gurnard Eutrigla gurnardus No Special Status 13:02:16 11:22 57° 02.7943’N 006° 16.6779’W 1/ 1000m2 Rare 15 cm

13:02:20 11:28 57° 02.7940’N 006° 16.6774’W

Common XXX Langoustine Nephrops norvegicus No Special Status 1- 9/ 10m2 Common 15 cm

13:08:40 17:50 57° 02.7847’N 006° 16.6625’W 13:17:52 27:05 57° 02.7632’N 006° 16.5969’W

Rare X Harbour Crab Liocarcinus depurator No Special Status 1-9/ 1000m2 Rare 3-15 cm

15:37:16 05:00 (B) 57° 02.6553’N 006° 16.2220’W

12:56:18 05:27 57° 02.8207’N 006° 16.7845’W

UK BAP Rare X Plaice Pleuronectes platessa 1/ 1000m2 Scottish Rare 15 cm Biodiversity List

13:50:14 59:22 57° 02.6883’N 006° 16.3121’W 12:59:18 08:28 57° 02.8079’N 006° 16.7314’W

XXXXX Abundant Auger Shell Turritella communis No Special Status Super 100-999/ m2 Abundant 1- 3 cm

15:53:42 21:15 ( B) 57° 02.6006’N 006° 16.0707’W

13:33:18 42:31 57° 02.7352’N 006° 16.4446’W

Occasional XX Angular Crab Goneplax rhomboides No Special Status 1-9/ 100m2 Occasional 3-15 cm

13:39:28 48:36 57° 02.7244’N 006°16.4003’W 13:34:52 44:07 57° 02.7312’N 006° 16.4091’W

Occasional Rugose Squat X 1-9/ 1000m2 Munida rugosa No Special Status Lobster Rare 3-15 cm

13:44:04 53:16 57° 02.7096’N 006° 16.3698’W

Rare X Hermit Crab Pagurus bernhardus No Special Status 13:42:10 51:08 57° 02.7188’N 006° 16.3906’W 1-9/ 1000m2 Rare 1- 3 cm

Rare X Great scallop Pecten maximus No Special Status 13:55:08 1:04:17 57° 02.6895’N 006° 16.3347’W 1/ 1000m2 Rare 15 cm

Rare X Brittle Star Amphiura filiformis No Special Status 13:56:53 1:06:00 57° 02.6820’N 006° 16.2979’W 1/ 1000m2 Rare 3-15 cm 13:57:46 1:06:58 57° 02.6779’N 006° 16.2813’W

Rare X Common Starfish Asterias rubens No Special Status 1/ 1000m2 Rare 15 cm

14:07:58 1:17:06 57° 02.6553’N 006° 16.2409’W

15:38:54 06:33 (B) 57° 02.6545’N 006° 16.1911’W

Rare X Sponge Suberites ficus No Special Status 1/ 1000m2 Rare 3-15 cm

15:48:28 16:03 (B) 57° 48.28’N 006° 16.083’W Plate 5b. Species Identified on the Seabed: Rum May 2016 - Transect 2

Transect 2

Transect start: Transect end: Orientation: HD GoPro Video duration: 57° 02.5673’N 57° 02.7958’N SW to NE 51: 45 006° 16.5870’W 006° 16.2462’W HD Video SACFOR Common Name Latin Name Status HD Screen shot Geotagged Screen shot Time Video Co-ordinate Frequency JNCC Scale Frame

15:26:22 02:38 57° 02.5675’N 006° 16.5821’W

Common No Special XXXX Auger Shell Turritella communis 10-99/ m2 Status Abundant 1- 3 cm

15:37:44 14:07 57° 02.6762’N 006° 16.4208’W

15:26:48 03:12 57° 02.5669’N 006° 16.5747’W

Occasional No Special X Common Starfish Asterias rubens 1-9/ 1000m2 Status Rare 15 cm

15:30:28 06:51 57° 02.6030’N 006° 16.5079’W 15:28:32 04:54 57° 02.5811’N 006° 16.5390’W

Rare No Special X Harbour Crab Liocarcinus depurator 1-9/ 1000m2 Status Rare 3-15 cm

15:32:44 09:08 57° 02.6212’N 006° 16.4775’W

15:29:22 05:43 57° 02.5917’N 006° 16.5248’W

Rare No Special X Hermit Crab Pagurus bernhardus 1-9/ 100m2 Status Rare 1- 3 cm

15:47:28 23:49 57° 02.7390’N 006° 16.3860’W 15:30:54 07:43 57° 02.6058’N 006° 16.5024

Occasional No Special XX Tube Anemone Cerianthus lloydii 1-9/ 100m2 Status Occasional 3-15 cm

15:57:36 33:53 57° 02.7726’N 006° 16.3512’W

15:31:26 08:05 57° 02.6085’N 006° 16.4950’W

Frequent No Special XXX Fountain Anemone Sagartiogeton laceratus 1- 9/ m2 Status Common 1- 3 cm

15:44:36 20:56 57° 02.6987’N 006° 16.4136’W 13:57 15:37:34 57° 02.6765’N 006° 16.4226’W

Rare No Special X Angular Crab Goneplax rhomboides 1-9/ 1000m2 Status Rare 3-15 cm

15:52:24 28:42 57° 02.7655’N 006° 16.3615’W

Rare No Special X Great scallop Pecten maximus 15:36:22 12:45 57° 02.6702’N 006° 16.4381’W 1/ 1000m2 Status Rare 15 cm

15:37:14 13:37 57° 02.6770’N 006° 16.4264’W

PMF Rare Phosphorescent Sea X Pennatula phosphorea Component 1/ 1000m2 Pen Rare Species 15 cm

15:58:18 34:33 57° 02.7822’N 006° 16.3445’W 15:37:56 14:19 57° 02.6754’N 006° 16.4187’W

Berne Convention ( III) Occasional XX Common Goby Pomatoschistus microps 1-9/ 100m2 Occasional IUCN Red List 3-15 cm Least Concern

15:39:00 15:23 57° 02.6875’N 006° 16.4179’W

15:39:24 15:48 57° 02.6914’N 006° 16.4138’W

Common No Special XXX Langoustine Nephrops norvegicus 1- 9/ 10m2 Status Common 15 cm

16:04:06 40:21 57° 02.8113’N 006° 16.2953’W

Rare No Special X Edible Crab Cancer pagurus 15:38:30 14:54 57° 02.6817’N 006° 16.4200’W 1/ 1000m2 Status Rare 15 cm 15:46:42 23:01 57° 02.7267’N 006° 16.3996’W

Occasional Rugose Squat No Special X 1-9/ 1000m2 Munida rugosa Lobster Status Rare 3-15 cm

15:59:34 35:50 57° 02.7985’N 006° 16.3267’W

15:59:02 35:21 57° 02.7919’N 006° 16.3352’W

UK BAP Rare X Plaice Pleuronectes platessa 1/ 1000m2 Scottish Rare 15 cm Biodiversity List

16:09:52 46:04 57° 02.8166’N 006° 16.2250’W Plate 5c. Species Identified on the Seabed: Rum May 2016 - Transect 3

Transect 3

Transect start: Transect end: Orientation: HD GoPro Video duration: 57° 02.6893’N 57° 02.4485’N NE to SW 56:39 006° 15.8775’W 006° 16.1518’W HD Video SACFOR Common Name Latin Name Status HD Screen shot Geotagged Screen shot Time Video Co-ordinate Frequency JNCC Scale Frame

11:25:30 06:40 57° 02.6707’N 006° 15.9091’W

Common No Special XXXX Fountain Anemone Sagartiogeton laceratus 10-99/ m2 Status Abundant 1- 3 cm

11:34:04 15:07 57° 02.6344’N 006° 16.0538’W

11:25:54 07:15 57° 02.6659’N 006° 15.9200’W

PMF Frequent Phosphorescent Sea XX Pennatula phosphorea Component 1- 9/ 100m2 Pen Occasional Species 15 cm

11:30:58 11:28 57° 02.6254’N 006° 16.0213’W 11:27:18 08:10 57° 02.6580’N 006° 15.9643’W

Occasional Rugose Squat No Special XX 1-9/ 1000m2 Munida rugosa Lobster Status Occasional 3-15 cm

11:31:30 12:24 57° 02.6182’N 006° 16.0333’W

Rare No Special X Football sea squirt Diazona violacea 11:27:18 08:10 57° 02.6580’N 006° 15.9643’W 1/ 1000m2 Status Rare 15 cm

11:27:18 08:10 57° 02.6580’N 006° 15.9643’W

Occasional No Special XX Hydroids Hydrozoa sp. 1- 9/ 10m2 Status Occasional Turf

11:32:26 13:21 57° 02.6174’N 006° 16.0445’W 11:29:28 10:20 57° 02.6407’N 006° 16.0015’W

Abundant No Special XXXX Auger Shell Turritella communis 100-999/ m2 Status Abundant 1- 3 cm

11:35:08 16:04 57° 02.6188’N 006° 16.0674’W

11:26:38 07:28 57° 02.6604’N 006° 15.9434’W

Rare No Special X Great scallop Pecten maximus 1/ 1000m2 Status Rare 15 cm

12:13:12 54:00 57° 02.4514’N 006° 16.1529’W 11:40:34 21:10 57° 02.6061’N 006° 16.0847’W

Frequent No Special XX Langoustine Nephrops norvegicus 1- 9/ 100m2 Status Occasional 15 cm

11:58 39:19 57° 02.5183’N 006° 16.0873’W

11:34:16 15:11 57° 02.6319’N 006° 16.0571’W

Occasional No Special XX Hermit Crab Pagurus bernhardus 1- 9/ 10m2 Status Occasional 3-15 cm

12:11:04 51:53 57° 02.4562’N 006° 16.1536’W

Rare No Special X Common Starfish Asterias rubens 11:34:28 15:22 57° 02.6280’N 006° 16.0598’W 1/ 1000m2 Status Rare 15 cm 11:42:04 22:59 57° 02.6028’N 006° 16.0899’W

Rare No Special X Harbour Crab Liocarcinus depurator 1-9/ 1000m2 Status Rare 3-15 cm

11:58:08 39:04 57° 02.5205’N 006° 16.0866’W

11:42:22 23:18 57° 02.5977’N 006° 16.0881’W

Rare No Special X Angular Crab Goneplax rhomboides 1-9/ 1000m2 Status Rare 3-15 cm

11:51:56 32:54 57° 02.5200’N 006° 16.0979’W

Berne Convention ( III) Occasional XX Common Goby Pomatoschistus microps 12:00:26 42:44 57° 02.5016’N 006° 16.1011’W 1- 9/ 100m2 Occasional IUCN Red List 3-15 cm Least Concern 11:49:12 30:05 57° 02.5519’N 006° 16.0962’W

UK BAP Rare X Plaice Pleuronectes platessa 1/ 1000m2 Scottish Rare 15 cm Biodiversity List

12:08:28 49:21 57° 02.4542’N 006° 16.1598’W

Rare No Special X Sponge Suberites ficus 12:07:58 48:52 57° 02.4544’N 006° 16.1597’W 1/ 1000m2 Status Rare 3-15 cm

12:09:52 50:41 57° 02.4553’N 006° 16.1569’W

Occasional No Special XX Tube Anemone Cerianthus lloydii 1- 9/ 10m2 Status Occasional 1- 3 cm

12:10:14 51:05 57° 02.4557’N 006° 16.1566’W 5.0 Appendix 2. Species present summary sheet

Species Present Transect 1 Transect 2 Transect 3

Sagartiogeton laceratus XXXXX XXX XXXX

Turritella communis XXXXX XXXX XXXX

Nephrops norvegicus XXX XXX XX

Pomatoschistus microps XX XX XX

Pennatula phosphorea X X XX

Cerianthus lloydii XX XX

Munida rugosa X X XX

Pagurus bernhardus X X XX

Goneplax rhomboides XX X X

Pecten maximus X X X

Liocarcinus depurator X X X

Pleuronectes platessa X X X

Asterias rubens X X X

Suberites ficus X X

Amphiura filiformis X

Eutrigla gurnardus X

Cancer pagurus X

Diazona violacea X

Hydroids sp. XX