East Anglia THREE Appendix 11.2 Fish and Shellfish Characterisation Report
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East Anglia THREE Appendix 11.2 Fish and Shellfish Characterisation Report Environmental Statement Volume 3 Document Reference –6.3.11(2) Author – Brown and May Marine East Anglia THREE Limited Date – November 2015 Revision History – Revision A Environmental Statement East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Appendix 11.2 November 2015 This Page Is Intentionally Blank Environmental Statement East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Appendix 11.2 November 2015 Table of Contents 11.2 Fish and Shellfish Ecology ............................................................................. 1 11.2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 1 11.2.2 Guidance ...................................................................................................... 1 11.2.3 Data and Information Sources ....................................................................... 3 11.2.4 Data Limitations, Sensitivities and Gaps ........................................................ 4 11.2.4.1 Spatial Extent of Spawning and Nursery Grounds ............................................... 4 11.2.4.2 Landings Data ....................................................................................................... 5 11.2.4.3 ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) Survey Data ............. 5 11.2.4.4 Site Specific Surveys ............................................................................................. 6 11.2.4.5 Knowledge Gaps ................................................................................................... 6 11.2.5 Study Area .................................................................................................... 6 11.2.5.1 Site Specific Fish and Shellfish Surveys ................................................................. 9 11.2.5.2 International Beam Trawl Surveys ...................................................................... 12 11.2.5.3 Commercial Species ............................................................................................ 13 11.2.5.4 Spawning and Nursery Grounds ......................................................................... 25 11.2.5.5 Species of Conservation Interest ........................................................................ 26 11.2.5.6 Relevant Species ................................................................................................. 32 11.2.5.7 Commercial Demersal Species ........................................................................... 35 11.2.5.8 Commercial Pelagic Species ............................................................................... 43 11.2.5.9 Elasmobranchs – Skates and Rays ...................................................................... 57 11.2.5.10 Elasmobranchs – Sharks ..................................................................................... 59 11.2.5.11 Diadromous Migratory Species .......................................................................... 62 11.2.5.12 Other Non-Commercial Fish Species .................................................................. 67 11.2.5.13 Commercial Shellfish .......................................................................................... 69 11.2.6 References .................................................................................................. 72 Annex 1 ................................................................................................................... 92 Environmental Statement East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Appendix 11.2 November 2015 Annex 2 ................................................................................................................... 140 Environmental Statement East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Appendix 11.2 November 2015 The following annexes accompany this Appendix Annex number Title 11.2 (1) Fish and Shellfish Survey, 16th to 26th February 2013 11.2 (2) Fish and Shellfish Survey, 15th to 27th May 2013 Environmental Statement East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Appendix 11.2 November 2015 Page 1 11.2 FISH AND SHELLFISH ECOLOGY 11.2.1 Introduction 1. The following document describes the fish and shellfish ecology baseline in areas relevant to the East Anglia THREE site and offshore cable corridor. The impact assessment presented in Volume 1 of the Environmental Statement (Chapter 11 Fish and Shellfish Ecology) includes a summary of this baseline. 11.2.2 Guidance 2. The principle guidance sources used are as follows: Draft East Inshore and East Offshore Marine Plan (MMO 2013); Guidelines for data acquisition to support marine environmental assessments of offshore renewable energy projects. Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) contract report: ME5403, (Cefas 2012); Guidance note for Environmental Impact Assessment in respect to food and environment Protection Act (FEPA) and Coast Protection Act (CPA) requirements. Version 2. (Cefas 2004); Guidelines for data acquisition to support marine environmental assessments of offshore renewable energy projects (Judd 2012); Overarching National Policy Statement for Energy (EN-1) (Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC 2011a); and National Policy Statement (NPS) for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3) (DECC 2011b). 3. The specific guidance contained within EN-3 relevant to fish and shellfish ecology are summarised in Table 0.1 below. Environmental Statement East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Appendix 11.2 November 2015 Page 1 Table 0.1 NPS assessment requirements NPS Requirement NPS Reference There is the potential for the construction and decommissioning EN-3 section 2.6.73 phases, including activities occurring both above and below the sea bed, to interact with seabed sediments and therefore have the potential to impact fish communities, migration routes, spawning activities and nursery areas of particular species. In addition, there are potential noise impacts, which could affect fish during construction and decommissioning and to a lesser extent during operation. The applicant should identify fish species that are the most likely EN-3 section 2.6.74 receptors of impacts with respect to: spawning grounds; nursery grounds; feeding grounds; over-wintering areas for crustaceans; and migration routes. Where it is proposed that mitigation measures of the type set out in EN-3 section 2.6.75 paragraph 2.6.76 below are applied to offshore export cables to reduce electromagnetic fields (EMF) the residual effects of EMF on sensitive species from cable infrastructure during operation are not likely to be significant. Once installed, operational EMF impacts are unlikely to be of sufficient range or strength to create a barrier to fish movement EMF during operation may be mitigated by use of armoured cable for EN-3 section 2.6.76 interarray and export cables that should be buried at a sufficient depth. Some research has shown that where cables are buried at depths greater than 1.5m below the sea bed impacts are likely to be negligible. However, sufficient depth to mitigate impacts will depend on the geology of the sea bed. During construction, 24 hour working practices may be employed so EN-3 section 2.6.77 that the overall construction programme and the potential for impacts to fish communities is reduced in overall time. The construction and operation of offshore wind farms can have both EN-3 section positive and negative effects on fish and shellfish stocks. 2.6.122 Effects of offshore wind farms can include temporary disturbance EN-3 section 2.6.63 during the construction phase (including underwater noise) and ongoing disturbance during the operational phase and direct loss of habitat. Adverse effects can be on spawning, overwintering, nursery and feeding grounds and migratory pathways in the marine area. However, the presence of wind turbines can also have positive benefits to ecology and biodiversity. Assessment of offshore ecology and biodiversity should be EN-3 section 2.6.64 undertaken by the applicant for all stages of the lifespan of the proposed offshore wind farm and in accordance with the appropriate Environmental Statement East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Appendix 11.2 November 2015 Page 2 NPS Requirement NPS Reference policy for offshore wind farm EIAs (EN-3; Paragraph 2.6.64). Consultation on the assessment methodologies should be undertaken EN-3 section 2.6.65 at early stages with the statutory consultees as appropriate Any relevant data that has been collected as part of post-construction EN-3 section 2.6.66 ecological monitoring from existing, operational offshore wind farm should be referred to where appropriate The assessment should include the potential for the scheme to have EN-3 section 2.6.67 both positive and negative impacts on marine ecology and biodiversity Ecological monitoring is likely to be appropriate during the EN-3 section 2.6.71 construction and operational phases to identify the actual impact so that, where appropriate, adverse effects can then be mitigated and to enable further useful information to be published relevant to future projects 4. In addition to the above Scoping Responses were received from the Planning Inspectorate and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) as well as advice during consultation with the Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Cefas). 5. With regards to species specific assessments, the Scoping Responses of the Planning Inspectorate and the MMO, and advice