Aquatic Survey and Monitoring Ltd.

Tí Cara, Point Lane, Cosheston, Pembrokeshire, SA72 4UN, UK Tel office +44 (0) 1646 687946 Mobile 07879 497004 E-mail: [email protected]

Survey of the rocky shores in the region of Sullom Voe, Shetland, July / August 2014

A report for SOTEAG

Prepared by: Jon Moore & Christine Howson

Status: Final th Date of Release: 5 December 2014

Recommended citation: Moore, J.J. and Howson, C.M. (2014). Survey of the rocky shores in the region of Sullom Voe, Shetland, July/August 2014. A report to SOTEAG from Aquatic Survey & Monitoring Ltd., Cosheston, Pembrokeshire. 25 pp + iv.

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Acknowledgements Surveyors: Jon Moore, ASML, Cosheston, Pembrokeshire Christine Howson, ASML, Ormiston, East Lothian

Other assistance and advice: Mr Alex Thomson and colleagues at BP Pollution Response Base, Sella Ness; Mr Simon Skinner, Port Safety Officer, Ports and Harbour Department, Sella Ness

Report review: Christine Howson, ASML, Ormiston, East Lothian Dr Mike Burrows and other members of the SOTEAG monitoring committee

Data access This report and the data herein are the property of the Sullom Voe Association (SVA) Ltd. and its agent the Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group (SOTEAG) and are not to be cited without the written agreement of SOTEAG. SOTEAG/SVA Ltd. will not be held liable for any losses incurred by any third party arising from their use of these data. © SOTEAG/SVA Ltd. 2014

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Summary The potential environmental impacts of operations at the Sullom Voe oil terminal were recognised when construction of the complex began in 1975. A monitoring programme was devised by the Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group (SOTEAG). The rocky shore element of this monitoring programme began in 1976 and, apart from a break of two years (1982-83), the rocky shores in Sullom Voe have been surveyed annually. It is thought to be the longest running continuous programme of rocky shores surveys anywhere in the world. The programme was designed to assess gross changes in the plant and animal populations and the survey sites are centred on the oil terminal. Annual reports to SOTEAG have described the changes from year to year and assessed the effects of the terminal operation. This report summarises the work carried out in July/August 2014 – the 37th survey since the programme’s inception. The work was carried out using exactly the same methodology as that used since 1993. The surveys were carried out during a period of spring tides. The fifteen original transects in Sullom Voe and the five reference transects in Vidlin Voe and Burra Voe were re-surveyed, and the abundance of conspicuous species was recorded at five stations along each transect. A photographic record of each site was made. Comparisons of recorded abundances, field notes and photographs from the 2014 survey with those from the 2013 survey and previous surveys have been carried out. Rocky shore communities at the twenty sites in 2014 were generally very similar to 2013. The most notable features are listed below: • Chthamalus stellatus, a southern species of barnacle, continues to be found in small numbers at some wave exposed sites. Observations from elsewhere in Shetland show that the species is widespread, but mainly limited to small populations in upper shore habitats exposed to strong wave surge. • Particularly high densities of barnacle spat were recorded, throughout the survey region. Adult barnacle Semibalanus balanoides densities also remained high, due mainly to good survival of adults from 2013. Settlement and recruitment appear to have been relatively late this year. • There have been fewer records of chitons and tortoiseshell limpets (2 species - Testudinalia testudinalis and Tectura virginea) in the last decade compared to the previous decade. • Limpet (Patella vulgata) densities remain high and there was a slight increase in numbers of juveniles. • Two new records of Patella ulyssiponensis, a southern species of limpet, were made from sites near the entrance of Sullom Voe. • There were no notable changes in littorinid snail densities. Edible winkle populations remain high, and flat winkle populations are still lower than they were in the early years of the programme. • There was a notable increase in the numbers of dogwhelk recorded at a number of sites and the population between the jetties continues to increase. • Red algal turf, including a number of species, decreased overall, but there was an increase in Osmundea pinnatifida. • Records of lower shore kelp decreased, after a few years of increases. • Serrated wrack Fucus serratus cover was fairly high and stable at most sites, but there was a large increase on the lower shore at Voxter Ness where mussels previously dominated.

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• Spiral wrack Fucus spiralis cover decreased at some Sullom Voe sites, but increased at some reference sites. However, there is no suggestion that this is related to terminal activity. All of the changes summarised above are considered to be due to natural fluctuations. None of the recorded fluctuations is considered to be related to the terminal. There were no reported oil spills or other known damaging activity in Sullom Voe in the period between the July 2013 and July 2014 surveys. A containment bund between Jetties 1 and 2, following a seepage of oily waste from the terminal in 2012, has been strengthened, but remediation is planned. Analysis of the community data from the nearby rocky shore monitoring transect 6.2 still showed no apparent effects from the seepage or bund. Rocky shore communities around the Voe appeared to be in good condition and there were no detected effects of terminal activities at the transect sites.

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Contents Acknowledgements...... i Data access ...... i Summary...... ii Contents ...... iv 1 Introduction...... 1 2 Methods...... 1 2.1 Field survey...... 1 2.1.1 Site and station location...... 1 2.1.2 In situ species recording...... 3 2.1.3 Photography ...... 3 2.2 Data analysis ...... 3 3 Results...... 7 3.1 Fluctuations in abundance of species...... 7 3.1.1 Sponges...... 8 3.1.2 Chthamalus stellatus ...... 9 3.1.3 Semibalanus balanoides...... 9 3.1.4 Austrominius modestus...... 11 3.1.5 Small limpets & chitons...... 11 3.1.6 Patella vulgata...... 11 3.1.7 Patella ulyssiponensis ...... 13 3.1.8 Littorina littorea ...... 13 3.1.9 Melarhaphe neritoides...... 14 3.1.10 Littorina obtusata & L. mariae...... 14 3.1.11 Nucella lapillus ...... 15 3.1.12 Flustrellidra hispida & Alcyonidium spp...... 16 3.1.13 Red algal turf species...... 16 3.1.14 Laminaria digitata ...... 18 3.1.15 Fucus serratus ...... 19 3.1.16 Fucus spiralis ...... 19 3.1.17 Fucus vesiculosus...... 20 3.1.18 Green algae ...... 21 3.2 Site-specific descriptions ...... 22 3.2.1 Orka Voe bund...... 22 4 Discussion ...... 22 4.1 Effects of terminal operations and oil spills...... 22 5 References...... 23 Appendix 1 Abundance scales used for intertidal organisms...... 24 Appendix 2 Chronology of personnel changes and methodology during SOTEAG rocky shore monitoring programme ...... 25

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1 Introduction Biological monitoring of rocky shore communities in Sullom Voe has been carried out annually since 1976, with only one break in survey between 1982 and 1983. Between 1976 and 1981 ‘full’ surveys were carried out in all stations at between 23 and 43 sites, with surveyors recording onto blank recording forms – i.e. with no reference to previous results. Between 1984 and 1992, following a review of the programme (Hiscock 1983), the methodology was changed and the survey took the form of a rapid visual assessment of the shores to identify gross changes. This involved: comparing, in the field, abundances of species along the fixed transects with records from the most recent full survey (1981, 1987 or 1988), viewing longer sections of the shores from the sea or by walking; and comparing photographs taken from defined viewpoints with those taken in previous years. In 1993, following suggestions from the SOTEAG monitoring committee, the methodology was modified to allow more detailed and objective analysis of the data. The number of survey sites in Sullom Voe was reduced and five reference sites were established outside the Voe. Comprehensive surveys, rather than rapid visual assessment surveys, were carried out at five stations along each transect, representing the main zones. The latter methodology has been used annually since 1993 and this report describes the results of the survey in July/August 2014, highlighting changes that occurred since the survey in 2012 and discussing any notable longer term fluctuations or trends. The various changes in sites and transect stations surveyed, survey month and survey personnel that have occurred over the 38 years of the SOTEAG rocky shore monitoring programme are summarised in Appendix 2. Moore (2013) provides a more detailed summary of the whole rocky shore transect monitoring programme (1976 to 2012), including a description of the methodology, the methodological changes that have occurred during the course of the programme, the database and the limitations of the data. Note: An associated programme of surveys of dogwhelk populations at rocky shore sites around Sullom Voe and Yell Sound is carried out approximately every two years, the last survey being in July 2013 (Moore and Gubbins 2014). Appendix 2 lists the dogwhelk survey years.

2 Methods

2.1 Field survey Fieldwork was carried out by Jon Moore and Christine Howson between the 22nd and 31st July 2013. Table 1 details the sites and the transect stations surveyed, and Figures 1 and 2 show the location of the sites. Surveys were carried out within three hours of low water.

2.1.1 Site and station location Fifteen sites are located within, or at the entrance to, Sullom Voe to enable monitoring of the effects of oil terminal activities. A further five sites are located in Vidlin Voe and Burra Voe to act as reference sites for the natural changes that occur in rocky shore populations. Access to sites was either by car and foot, or by boat as appropriate. A workboat was supplied by the BP Pollution Response Base. A hand held GPS receiver and site location sheets, containing maps, colour photographs and written notes in laminated plastic, were used to aid relocation. The site numbering system is based on the wave exposure of the shore. The first number (ranging from 1 to 6) is based on the Ballantine scale (Ballantine, 1961), which uses the biological communities on the shore to estimate the wave exposure (where 1 = extremely exposed). The second number is a consecutive number at that exposure.

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A fixed datum marker, usually a pat of concrete and/or a paint mark, marks the top of each transect. The line of the transect is defined by a bearing and by reference to conspicuous marks (permanent rock features and distant landmarks) shown in the photographs on the site location sheet. A tape may be laid down the shore from the fixed datum marker at the top of the transect, to provide a visible reference. Fixed recording stations have been established along the transects at all sites. The stations are located at 20 cm height intervals from the fixed datum marker. These stations are marked with paint, where possible in the upper shore zones, or relocated by use of a cross staff level (with a 20 cm shaft) and the tape measurements. On the shores with extensive plateaux or very gradual slopes, the tape measurements alone are usually reliable. Relocation has been improved since 1993 by using annotated photographs of transects and close-up photographs of the stations. In most cases these now allow more rapid and precise relocation of the stations. The number of stations on the transect varies from twenty nine stations at West of Mioness (site 1.1) where there is an extensive supralittoral lichen zone, to ten at Scatsta Ness (sites 6.12 and 6.13). Table 1 Rocky shore transect sites surveyed in Sullom Voe in July/August 2014, with the stations surveyed on each transect. A station number with a strikethrough indicates that it was not surveyed, while brackets indicate that the survey may have been incomplete (see text for explanation). No. Site name Stations surveyed Survey date Monitoring sites 1.1 W. of Mioness 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 29/07/2014 2.3 Roe Clett 8, 11, 14, 17, 20 03/08/2014 3.3 Noust of Burraland 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 30/07/2014 3.4 Gluss Island East 6, 9, 11, 13, 15 30/07/2014 3.5 S. of Swarta Taing 4, 7, 10, 12, 15 29/07/2014 4.1 Grunn Taing 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 30/07/2014 4.3 The Kames 5, 7, 9, 12, 15 01/08/2014 4.6 Voxter Ness 5, 8, 10, 12, 14 01/08/2014 5.1 S. of Skaw Taing 9, 12, 15, 18, 20 03/08/2014 5.2 Jetty 3 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 02/08/2014 5.5 Mavis Grind 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14 01/08/2014 6.1 Fugla Ayre 3, 5, 7, 9, (11) 01/08/2014 6.2 S. of Jetty 2 3, 6, 9, 11, 13 02/08/2014 6.12 Scatsta Ness (cleared) 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 31/07/2014 6.13 Scatsta Ness (uncleared) 4, 5, 8, 10, 12 31/07/2014 Orka Voe bund 31/07/2014 Reference sites 2.9 Riven Noust 13, 17, 19, 22, 24 29/07/2014 3.8 Vidlin Ness 5, 7, 9, 10, 12 30/07/2014 3.12 Burgo Taing 3, 6, 9, 11, 13 31/07/2014 6.11 Kirkabister 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 30/07/2014 6.14 N. Burra Voe 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 31/07/2014 Five stations are now monitored on each transect, selected to represent the five major shore zones of lower shore (LS), lower middle shore (LMS), middle shore (MS), upper middle shore (UMS) and upper shore (US) as defined by their relative height above chart datum and their assemblages of plants and animals. Unfortunately, a northerly swell onto Transect 2.3 (Roe Clett) during the 2014 survey made the lower shore station inaccessible, and a poor low tide (and low pressure) during the survey of Transect 6.1 (Fugla Ayre) meant that the lower shore station was covered and the survey may not have been thorough. At two sites (Mavis Grind and Voxter Ness), it has normally also been possible to

Aquatic Survey & Monitoring Ltd. December 2014 Survey of the rocky shores in the region of Sullom Voe, Shetland, July/August 2014 Page 3 survey an additional station in the sublittoral fringe (SLF), but in the 2014 survey this was only achieved at Mavis Grind. The stations surveyed are listed in Table 1.

2.1.2 In situ species recording Comprehensive surveys were made of all conspicuous species at each selected station. The abundances of conspicuous animals, algae and lichens were noted and recorded from a 3 m horizontal strip (1.5 m each side from the relocated station mark). The width of the strip varies depending on the slope of the substrata, aiming to represent the 10 cm height band lying below the relocated station mark. On vertical rock surfaces the band is therefore 10 cm high, but a broader band, to a maximum of 30 cm, is surveyed on gradually sloping areas. Precise relocation can be difficult over the full 3 m length, but can be improved with the aid of a 3 m length of leaded line laid along the top of the station. Records were written into a standard pro-forma on waterproof paper, with checklists of species for animals and plants. The surveyors also carried a copy of the abundance scales. The abundance scales used are those described in Baker and Wolff (1987) (Appendix 1), which have been used since the inception of the programme in 1976. Any points of interest on the shores or relating to the populations observed were noted in the field.

2.1.3 Photography Photographs were taken of each transect from different viewpoints and angles, usually the same as on the site location sheet, and close-ups of selected stations. The equipment used was a Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 digital compact camera. Digital images (high resolution jpgs) were recorded and copies are filed with SOTEAG and ASML.

2.2 Data analysis The data from the survey were entered into a computer spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel). They were then transferred to a more versatile database package (Microsoft Access version 2013) that held the data from previous surveys, for further analysis. Each record comprises the species name and taxonomic code (based on Howson & Picton, 1997), the site number, the year and the recorded abundance at each station. The abundances are recorded as the numerical equivalent of the categories, e.g. 4 = Common (see Appendix 1). All taxonomic nomenclature used in the database and this report has been revised and updated according to the World Register of Marine Species (www.marinespecies.org). Tabulated printouts from the database, simple graphical presentations (histograms in section 3.1) and non parametric statistics (Wilcoxon signed rank test) were used to compare the 2014 species abundances with previous years. In addition, the field notes and the photographs were compared with those from previous years and any notable changes described. Because each abundance value is based on a semi-quantitative category, the numbers should not be summed or averaged. However, a method has been devised to calculate mean abundances from these values and plot them as histograms. The histograms have been produced from the 1984 to 2014 data for the 15 monitoring sites, by calculating the mean abundance of species or groups of species within each survey. The following methodology was used to calculate mean abundance for a species from the semi- quantitative data: 1. The maximum number of monitoring stations in which each species had been recorded was calculated from the 1993 to 2014 database (For example: Semibalanus balanoides had been recorded from a maximum of 57 stations, out of the 75 stations that are annually monitored);

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2. The relevant abundance scale was chosen for the species; 3. Using that scale, the log of the median value of abundance within a category (Table 2) was multiplied by the number of records of that abundance category within the chosen station’s dataset; 4. The resulting products from each abundance category were added together; 5. This figure was then divided by the number of stations calculated in 1 (above) and anti- logged. The result is the mean abundance over the normal range of the species, in the units given in column 2 of Table 2.

Table 2 Median values used in calculations for each abundance category

Abundance category Scale Units R O F C A S Ex 1 No./0.01m2 0.005 0.5 5 50 200 400 600 2 No./0.01m2 0.005 0.05 0.5 5 55 200 350 3 No./0.1m2 0.05 0.25 0.75 2.5 7.5 15 30 4 No./0.1m2 0.05 0.5 2.5 7.5 15 35 60 5 No./1m2 0.25 0.5 2.5 7.5 25 75 130 6 % cover 0.1 1 2.5 12 35 65 90 7 No./0.01m2 0.005 0.05 0.5 25 60 - - 8 No./0.01m2 0.005 0.05 0.5 50 150 - - 9 % cover 0.1 1 2.5 12 25 - - 10 % cover 0.1 0.5 2.5 10 35 65 90 11 % cover 0.2 1 2.5 17 45 75 95

Whilst it should be appreciated that this methodology will introduce some errors into the data, the transformation of the densities will reduce the scale of this inaccuracy by taking better account of shifts at both ends of the abundance scale. The histograms are a useful means of graphically presenting trends that have been identified by a detailed scrutiny of the data. In addition to the average abundance histograms plotted from the above analysis, the graphs also include line plots of the number of stations from which the species was recorded. The values are given on a second y-axis (on the right of the graph). The maximum number of monitoring stations is 75 (15 sites x 5 stations). The maximum number of reference stations is 25 (5 sites x 5 stations), so the combined maximum is 100 stations.

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Figure 1 Location of rocky shore transect monitoring and reference sites. Surveys of rocky shores in the region of Sullom Voe, Shetland, July/August 2014.

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Figure 2 Location of rocky shore transect monitoring sites within Sullom Voe. Surveys of rocky shores in the region of Sullom Voe, Shetland, July/August 2014.

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3 Results

3.1 Fluctuations in abundance of species Table 3 provides a summary of the abundance changes that occurred between July 2013 and July 2014 for species recorded. The majority of these changes continued to reflect a low level of natural variability from year to year, but there were notable changes in some species and at some sites. Species emboldened are discussed later in this section. Table 3 Summary of the main changes in selected species presence/absence and abundance between 2013 and 2014 over all sites and stations (including reference sites). Values are the No. of stations out of 100 (20 sites x 5 stations). See category definitions at bottom of table. Species names in bold indicate those which are discussed in the sections below. Distribution is the known biogeographic distribution relative to Britain (see Section 4.2). Taxa Distribution None Gone Down Same Up New Halichondria panicea Ubiquitous 82 3 0 13 0 1 Dynamena pumila Ubiquitous 87 3 1 6 0 2 Actinia equina Ubiquitous 83 2 0 7 0 7 Spirobranchus Ubiquitous 88 3 0 6 0 2 Spirorbinae Ubiquitous 72 1 1 20 0 5 Cirripedia (spat) Ubiquitous 23 1 1 31 21 22 Cirripedia (dead) Ubiquitous 30 2 0 62 1 4 Chthamalus stellatus Southern 97 0 0 1 0 1 Semibalanus balanoides Northern 21 2 2 69 3 2 Austrominius modestus Invasive 97 1 0 1 0 0 Amphipoda Ubiquitous 73 9 1 5 1 10 Carcinus maenas Ubiquitous 79 10 0 2 0 8 Testudinalia testudinalis Northern 96 1 0 0 0 2 Patella (juvenile, <10mm) Ubiquitous 62 8 0 16 2 11 Patella ulyssiponensis Southern 96 1 0 0 0 2 Patella vulgata Northern 26 2 3 60 1 7 Littorina littorea Northern 60 6 1 22 2 8 Littorina obtusata Ubiquitous 61 3 3 20 3 9 Littorina saxatilis (ecotype 'neglecta') Southern 54 6 1 31 0 7 Littorina saxatilis Northern 28 14 7 32 5 13 Nucella lapillus Northern 58 6 1 19 5 10 Mytilus edulis Ubiquitous 60 7 1 23 0 8 Alcyonidium hirsutum Ubiquitous 89 2 0 4 0 4 Flustrellidra hispida Ubiquitous 83 2 0 9 0 5 Electra pilosa Ubiquitous 88 4 1 2 0 4 Rhodophyceae (encrusting) Ubiquitous 68 13 0 10 2 6 Porphyra Ubiquitous 73 7 2 7 3 7 Dumontia contorta Ubiquitous 89 2 0 3 0 5 Hildenbrandia Ubiquitous 45 8 4 21 4 17 Corallinaceae Ubiquitous 52 3 4 28 3 9 Corallina Ubiquitous 80 5 3 8 0 3 Mastocarpus stellatus Northern 71 7 0 16 1 4 Chondrus crispus Northern 79 3 0 6 2 9 Lomentaria articulata Ubiquitous 86 2 1 7 1 2 Membranoptera alata Ubiquitous 88 4 0 6 0 1 Osmundea pinnatifida Southern 83 1 0 10 2 3 Vertebrata lanosa Ubiquitous 84 3 0 8 0 4

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Ectocarpaceae Ubiquitous 88 7 0 0 0 4 Elachista fucicola Ubiquitous 66 10 0 12 2 9 Leathesia marina Ubiquitous 91 2 0 2 0 4 Laminaria digitata Northern 88 5 0 5 1 0 Fucaceae (sporelings) 92 7 0 0 0 0 Ascophyllum nodosum Northern 85 1 0 11 1 1 Fucus serratus Northern 70 4 0 21 1 3 Fucus spiralis Northern 77 7 0 10 1 4 Fucus vesiculosus Northern 50 6 2 31 1 9 Pelvetia canaliculata Northern 77 1 2 15 1 3 Ulva (tubular) Ubiquitous 57 7 0 16 4 15 Ulva (flat) Ubiquitous 81 3 0 5 4 6 Cladophora Ubiquitous 58 7 3 9 2 20 Cladophora rupestris Ubiquitous 83 16 0 0 0 0 Verrucaria maura Ubiquitous 11 14 10 62 1 1 Verrucaria mucosa Ubiquitous 65 17 0 9 0 8 None = not recorded at the station in 2013 or 2014 Gone = recorded at the station in 2013, but not in 2014 Down = decreased abundance in 2014 Same = same or almost same (up or down by only one class) in 2013 and 2014 Up = increased abundance in 2014 New = recorded at station in 2014 but not in 2013 The following sections describe the results for selected species that have shown notable changes. The histograms have been prepared using the methodology described in Section 2.2. The dot tables provide examples from the database of abundances to illustrate the changes (or lack of change) described in the text. The number and size of the dots represent the recorded abundances: n = Rare; o = Occasional; p = Frequent; q = Common; r = Abundant; s = Super abundant; ^ = Extremely abundant; - = not found; ns = no survey. Please refer to Appendix 1 for explanation of the abundance categories used for each species. The shore zones listed in the left column of the dot tables are identified as follows: upper shore (US), upper middle shore (UMS), middle shore (MS), lower middle shore (LMS), lower shore (LS) and sublittoral fringe (SLF). Note: for readers with the electronic version of this report, the species names in the section headings below contain hyperlinks to relevant pages on their biology on the MarLIN website.

3.1.1 Sponges Small amounts of a few species of sponge are typically present in damp shaded niches on lower shore bedrock. The breadcrumb sponge Halichondria panicea is the most abundant, with over 5% cover sometimes recorded in certain lower shore stations (e.g. S. of Skaw Taing). However, for most species and the majority of lower shore stations their presence is limited to a few small patches. The graph below therefore shows the number of records, rather than abundances, of the four species most often recorded. They are included in this results section as examples of some of the considerable variety of species present in low abundance, and because it was noticed that numbers of records of the calcareous sponge Leucosolenia (probably mainly L. variabilis) have declined over the last 20 years. It is not certain that this represents a real decline, but the trend may be interesting. Prior to 1993 this species was not included on the species checklist or routinely recorded, so records are very sparse.

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Sponges (counts of records, monitoring & reference sites) Halichondria panicea 20 Leucosolenia 18 Grantia compressa Halisarca dujardinii 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 Count of records (lines)) 2 0 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Monitoring site no. 5.1 S.of Skaw Taing Halichondria panicea Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 LS r q q r r r q q q q q q r q r r r r r

3.1.2 Chthamalus stellatus This southern species of barnacle, first recorded from the transect sites in 2011, was again found in very small numbers at two sites in 2014 – The Kames (4.3) and the reference site Riven Noust (2.9). Visits to a number of other rocky shore sites around Shetland in the week before the survey, found small populations of C. stellatus in suitable situations on wave exposed coasts (east and west) to as far north as Norwick, NE Unst. They were predominantly present on vertical bedrock, subject to wave surges, in the upper eulittoral.

3.1.3 Semibalanus balanoides 2014 was characterised by particularly high densities of barnacle spat at most sites, so that average abundances over all sites was far higher than any previous survey. This is exaggerated by the histogram below, which is strongly influenced by the records of extremely abundant and super abundant spat at a few stations. However, the counts of records (orange and black lines in the graph below) also show that barnacle spat were recorded from more stations than in any previous survey. Recorded abundance of spat increased in 59 stations and decreased in only 5 stations.

Cirripedia (spat) (Bars: Average No./0.01m2 from 50 stns) 60 80 Monitoring stns Monitoring stns 70 50 Monitoring & reference stns 60 40 50

30 40

30 20 20 Count of records (lines) of records Count 10 Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 10

0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

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Monitoring site no. 3.5 S.of Swarta Taing Cirripedia (spat) Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 UMS q - - - o - - n ------o - o - p MS r q q s s s r s o r q s s r s r r q ^ LMS r p p q q q r r o o p - p o q p p q r LS p p p o - - o p o - - - - - p o - - p The high densities of spat had no obvious effects on the recorded abundances of adult barnacles which were very similar to 2013 in almost all stations. From field notes and inspection of the photographs it is apparent that survival of adults from 2013 was particularly high, while relatively few of this year’s settlement had yet grown up to become adults. This suggests that the season for barnacle settlement and recruitment may have been relatively late this year.

Semibalanus balanoides (Bars: Average No./0.01m2 from 56 stns) 40 90 Monitoring stns 35 Monitoring stns 80 Monitoring & reference stns 30 70 60 25 50 20 40 15 30 10

20 (lines) of records Count

Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 5 10

0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Monitoring site no. 2.9 Roe Clett Semibalanus balanoides Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 UMS o o o n n n - - - n n - - o o n o o - MS r r r r r r q q r r r r q r r s s s s LMS s s s ^ ^ r r s s s r ^^ s ^ s ^ s ^ LS r r r s r q q q r q q q r r r r s q ns

Monitoring site no. 4.6 Voxter Ness Semibalanus balanoides Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 UMS p o o o o o p p p p p p o p o p p p o

MS r r r r r s r r s ^ r s r r r s s r s

LMS q r r s s ^ r r s s r s r s ^ s s s s

LS q p p p q s s r r r s s r r ^ s s s s

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3.1.4 Austrominius modestus Numbers of this immigrant barnacle (previously called Elminius modestus) are still very low, but they continue to persist in Sullom Voe and are most often recorded from two upper middle shore stations – Station 8 at Voxter Ness (4.6) and Station 7 at Mavis Grind (5.5) – both near the head of Sullom Voe.

Austrominius modestus (Bars: Average No./0.01m2 from 8 stns) 0.8 9

0.7 8

0.6 7 6 0.5 5 0.4 4 0.3 3 0.2 2 (line) records of Count Average abundance (bars) abundanceAverage 0.1 1

0.0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

3.1.5 Small limpets & chitons The histogram below shows fluctuations in numbers of records of three small molluscs with some similarities in their form and life style. Polyplacophora (chitons), Testudinalia testudinalis (common tortoiseshell limpet) and Tectura virginea (white tortoiseshell limpet) are all small flattened mobile grazers of surface microalgae on bedrock and boulders, mainly within the shallow subtidal. Small numbers are recorded from the lower shore of various sites, but the graph suggests that there have been fewer records in the last decade compared to the previous decade. This is just another interesting observation at this stage and no explanation is known.

Small limpets & chitons (counts of records, monitoring & reference sites) 9 Polyplacophora 8 Testudinalia testudinalis

7 Tectura virginea 6 5 4 3 2 Count of records (lines)) of Count records 1 0 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

3.1.6 Patella vulgata Populations of adult limpets remained very stable at all sites, with only small fluctuations in abundance at some stations. Abundances of juvenile limpets were slightly higher overall, compared to the last few years, but this was mainly due to notable increases at a few more sites (e.g. Noust of Burraland, see below) than there were decreases at others.

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Patella vulgata (Bars: Average No./0.1m2 from 51 stns) 3.0 80 Monitoring stns Monitoring stns 70 2.5 Monitoring & reference stns 60 2.0 50

1.5 40

30 1.0 20 Count of records (lines) of records Count 0.5 Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 10

0.0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Monitoring site no. 4.1 Grunn Taing Patella vulgata Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 UMS q p p p p p q q o p p o q q p p q q p MS r q r r r r s q r r s s s^s s ^ r r LMS q r ^ ^^ ^ ^r^^^^^^^ ^ ^ s^ LS r q s ^^ r p r r r q q q q q r q p q

Patella (juvenile, <10mm) (Bars: Average No./0.1m2 from 31 stns) 2.5 45 Monitoring stns Monitoring stns 40 Monitoring & reference stns 2.0 35

30 1.5 25

20 1.0 15

0.5 10 (lines) of records Count

Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 5

0.0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Monitoring site no. 3.3 Noust of Burraland Patella (juvenile, <10mm) Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 MS p p q p o - - - o p - - o - - p o - p LMS q q r s r r p o r p o - p o r q r o r LS r s s s q q ^ p q q - p p o q q r s r

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Reference site no. 6.14 N.Burra Voe Patella (juvenile, <10mm) Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 MS - - o - o - - - o - - o - - o - o o - LMS o p p q q q p o p o p p o - p o o o p LS s q p o p p p p p - o o p - p - o q -

3.1.7 Patella ulyssiponensis The 2013 investigations of limpet identification at sites around Sullom Voe and elsewhere in Shetland clarified their distribution and showed that none of the transect sites represent the main habitat for P. ulyssiponensis – i.e. upper shore rock pools. P. ulyssiponensis are found on the lower shore at some sites, but distinguishing them from P. vulgata will not be reliable without removing them, which could cause damage. Nevertheless, the 2013 study has given us more experience and skills in the removal and identification of potential specimens of P. ulyssiponensis. A few likely individuals were therefore removed and inspected during the 2014 survey and small numbers were found to be present at W.of Mioness (site 1.1) and S.of Skaw Taing (site 5.1). The species has not previously been recorded from either of those sites. Future monitoring should be able to detect notable increases in the lower shore populations, but may not reliably detect declines.

3.1.8 Littorina littorea Abundances of edible winkles showed no significant changes overall sites, though there were notable fluctuations at individual sites and stations. There was no obvious pattern in the distribution of these fluctuations, so they are considered to be natural.

Littorina littorea (Bars: Average No./0.1m2 from 31 stns) 1.8 40 Monitoring stns 1.6 Monitoring stns 35 Monitoring & reference stns 1.4 30 1.2 25 1.0 20 0.8 15 0.6 10

0.4 (lines) of records Count

Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 0.2 5

0.0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Monitoring site no. 5.2 Jetty 3 Littorina littorea Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 UMS o ------o ------o - MS - p q q - p q q r p o p q o r q p q p LMS r p q q p q r q s r r s q r r r q q r LS r o q r q q r q r p q q p q q r q q p

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3.1.9 Melarhaphe neritoides Numbers of records of this small periwinkle were fairly high in the mid-1990s though their abundances were never high (usually no more than Occasional). They have declined considerably since then and were only recorded as Occasional from the upper shore station at W. of Mioness in 2014. The reason for this decline, or the increase in the mid-1990s, is not known, though it is possible that some of the earlier records were misidentifications of some juvenile forms of Littorina saxatilis which can be very variable.

Melarhaphe neritoides (Bars: Average No./0.01m2 from 16 stns) 0.6 20 Monitoring stns Monitoring stns 18 0.5 Monitoring & reference stns 16 14 0.4 12 0.3 10 8 0.2 6

4 (lines) of records Count 0.1 Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 2 0.0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Monitoring site no. 3.3 Noust of Burraland Melarhaphe neritoides Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 US p o - o - p o - n - - - - - o - o - - UMS o o - o - p - - - o o ------

3.1.10 Littorina obtusata & L. mariae Flat winkles, which are not differentiated into the two species in this survey, are most abundant in those sites and stations that are dominated by fucoid algae. Their numbers fluctuate with fucoid cover, but have been generally lower in recent years than they were during the 1980s and 1990s. There was a modest overall increase in abundances in 2014, but recorded abundances in most stations was the same as 2013.

Littorina obtusata (Bars: Average No./0.1m2 from 27 stns) 10 45 Monitoring stns 9 Monitoring stns 40 Monitoring & reference stns 8 35 7 30 6 25 5 20 4 15 3

2 10 (lines) of records Count

Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 1 5 0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

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Monitoring site no. 6.12 Scatsta Ness (cleared) Littorina obtusata Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 UMS q p q q p o p p q q p o p q q q q p q MS s r s s r q q q r q q q p q s s r p s LMS s s r ^ s ^ p q r r r r p r s s r r ^ LS q s r r r r p q q p p p p - p q q q p

3.1.11 Nucella lapillus There was a notable increase in records and abundances of dog whelks in 2014 at many sites and high abundances recorded at numerous stations. Populations at sites close to the terminal continue to increase gradually and a single individual was recorded from the transect stations at S. of Jetty 2 (6.2), for the first time since 1987. None were present in the Jetty 3 (5.2) stations, but numerous individuals were found, for the first time, in a nearby boulder tumble – which has been searched annually for the last ten years.

Monitoring stns Nucella lapillus (Bars: Average No./1m2 from 27 stns) Monitoring stns 14 Monitoring & reference stns 40

12 35 30 10 25 8 20 6 15 4 10 Count of records (lines) of records Count

Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 2 5

0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Monitoring site no. 1.1 W. of Mioness Nucella lapillus Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 MS q - p - - - o p - - o - - o o q - - - LMS s r q r r p r r r r r r r r r q q q ^ LS q s s p s r p r r o p p q s q q s s r

Reference site no. 3.12 Burgo Taing Nucella lapillus Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 MS p q r r r p r r r r p r r r r q r p r LMS s s r ^ ^ s r s r r q r q r r r r q r LS r q q ^ r r r p r - r p r o p - r q r

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3.1.12 Flustrellidra hispida & Alcyonidium spp. 2014 was another good year for epiphytic bryozoa growing on lower shore algae, with numerous records, particularly of Flustrellidra hispida and relatively high abundances in some stations.

Epiphytic bryozoa (Mean % cover from 19 stns) Monitoring stns 4.0 Monitoring stns 30 3.5 Monitoring & reference stns 25 3.0 20 2.5

2.0 15

1.5 10 1.0 Count of records (lines) records of Count Mean abundance (bars) 5 0.5

0.0 0 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Monitoring site no. 3.5 S. of Swarta Taing, lower shore Bryozoan epifauna on Fucus serratus Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 F.h. p o o o o - o p p p p p p q q q o p q A.h. - - n n o - - - o o p - - o - o o o o A.h. = Alcyonidium hirsutum, F.h. = Flustrellidra hispida

3.1.13 Red algal turf species There was a notable overall decrease in recorded abundance of red algal turf in 2014, after three years of increases. Overall decreases were recorded for many individual species, and the only species that showed a notable overall increase was Osmundea pinnatifida. The decreases were not evident at all sites and mostly evident in certain stations, for example S. of Skaw Taing (see table below). The data do not suggest any relationship to the terminal activities and the changes are considered to be due to natural fluctuations.

Red algal turf (Mean % cover from 19 stns) Monitoring stns 30 Monitoring stns 180 Monitoring & reference stns 160 25 140

20 120

100 15 80

10 60 Count of records (lines) records of Count

Mean abundance (bars) 40 5 20

0 0 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

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Mastocarpus stellatus (Bars: Average % cover from 20 stns) 4.0 35 Monitoring stns 3.5 Monitoring stns Monitoring & reference stns 30 3.0 25 2.5 20 2.0 15 1.5 10 1.0 Count of records (lines) of records Count

Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 0.5 5

0.0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Ceramium (Bars: Average % cover from 19 stns) Monitoring stns 1.8 Monitoring stns 30 Monitoring & reference stns 1.6 25 1.4

1.2 20

1.0 15 0.8

0.6 10

0.4 (lines) of records Count 5 Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 0.2

0.0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Osmundea pinnatifida (Bars: Average % cover from 12 stns) 3.5 18 Monitoring stns Monitoring stns 16 3.0 Monitoring & reference stns 14 2.5 12

2.0 10

1.5 8 6 1.0

4 (lines) of records Count

Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 0.5 2

0.0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

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The table below shows an example, from the lower shore station at S. of Skaw Taing, of the recorded fluctuations in abundance of 12 species that comprise the red algal turf. P.p. = Palmaria palmata, D.c. = Dumontia contorta, Co. = Corallina, M.s. = Mastocarpus stellatus, C.c. = Chondrus crispus, L.a. = Lomentaria articulata, Ce. = Ceramium, Pl.p. = Plumaria plumosa, P.g. = Ptilota gunneri, M.a. = Membranoptera alata, O.p. = Osmundea pinnatifida, Po. = Polysiphonia

Monitoring site no. 5.1 S.of Skaw Taing, lower shore station Red algal turf species Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 P.p. ------n n n - - - o D.c. - - o ------n - - - - Co. p p q q o - q p q q p o - q r p q q - M.s. s r s s r q q - q s q q r r r r s r r C.c. - o o o p p - - - - p - q q q - n - n L.a. - n - p p p - p p p - n - - n n - - - Ce. p n o o o - - p - - - o - p n - - - - Pl.p. o n o ------p - - n o o o n P.g. - - - - - p ------o - M.a. p n o p o p p p p q - p n n n o o o n O.p. - n n - - - p ------n Po. q - n - - - - p q p - n ------

3.1.14 Laminaria digitata Similar to the red algal turf decrease, records of lower shore kelp also decreased in 2014, after a few years of increases. There were fewer records at both monitoring sites and reference sites.

Laminaria digitata (Bars: Average % cover from 8 stns) 1.2 12 Monitoring stns Monitoring stns 1.0 Monitoring & reference stns 10

0.8 8

0.6 6

0.4 4 Count of records (lines) of records Count 0.2 2 Average abundance (bars) abundance Average

0.0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Monitoring site no. 3.5 S. of Swarta Taing Laminaria digitata Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 LS o n o o p - p - - p p - p q q r r q -

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3.1.15 Fucus serratus Abundances of serrated wrack remained relatively high in 2014 and there was no notable overall change in abundance compared to 2013. However, there were some large fluctuations in recorded abundance at certain stations; most notably on the lower shore at Voxter Ness, where F. serratus was found to be Abundant. This is the highest abundance ever recorded at this site, where mussels previously dominated. The F. serratus plants there were still small and it will be interesting to see how well they survive over the 2014/15 winter.

Fucus serratus (Bars: Average % cover from 21 stns) 25 35 Monitoring stns Monitoring stns Monitoring & reference stns 30 20 25

15 20

10 15

10

5 (lines) of records Count

Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 5

0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Monitoring site no. 5.2 Jetty 3 Fucus serratus Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 LMS o o p o p - q p q q o p - - q q q q r LS r q r r q q r r q r s q s s r s r s r

Monitoring site no. 4.6 Voxter Ness Fucus serratus Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 LMS ------n ------LS - - - - n o - p - - o - n - - n - - r

3.1.16 Fucus spiralis Spiral wrack again showed an apparent overall decrease in abundance at monitoring sites in 2014, due primarily to some large decreases at certain sites (particularly the sheltered boulder sites Fugla Ayre and Scatsta Ness (cleared) where the populations tend to fluctuate more than the bedrock sites). In contrast, there were increases but no decreases, of any size, at the reference sites, suggesting a Sullom Voe specific decline. However, the statistical significance of this difference is small as there are only four reference stations where F. spiralis is regularly recorded.

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Fucus spiralis (Bars: Average % cover from 17 stns) 4.0 30 Monitoring stns 3.5 Monitoring stns Monitoring & reference stns 25 3.0 20 2.5

2.0 15

1.5 10 1.0 Count of records (lines) of records Count 5 Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 0.5

0.0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Monitoring site no. 6.1 Fugla Ayre Fucus spiralis Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 UMS - - - - o ------n - n - n - MS o q q q r q p q - - n - n p - q q q -

3.1.17 Fucus vesiculosus There was an overall increase in Bladder wrack abundances in 2014 to the extent that the calculated average abundance at the monitoring sites broke the previous record from 2012 (see histogram below). At a station by station level this average increase is less obvious and there were numerous decreases as well as increases.

Fucus vesiculosus (Bars: Average % cover from 32 stns) 16 50 Monitoring stns 14 Monitoring stns 45 Monitoring & reference stns 40 12 35 10 30 8 25

6 20 15 4 10 (lines) of records Count

Average abundance (bars) abundance Average 2 5 0 0 81 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Monitoring site no. 6.2 S.of Jetty 2 Fucus vesiculosus Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 MS s r r r q q q r s r q n q r r s r s r LMS s s ^ s q q r s r r q p s r ^ s q r s LS q q r q r q q r r q o r r r r r q q r

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Reference site no. 6.11 Kirkabister Fucus vesiculosus Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 UMS - p n r p q q p - - - n - - - q o - p MS s s s ^ r r r ^^^ s q q s ^ s s ^^ LMS q r q r q r q p r r q q r s ^ s s s ^ LS n - o - - - - - q p n o r r q r r q -

3.1.18 Green algae Green algae, comprised primarily of Ulva (flat and tubular species), Cladophora (also not easily recorded to species except C. rupestris) and filamentous green algae (Chlorophyceae), can fluctuate considerably in abundance from year to year. In 2014 abundances overall were moderate, with increases and decreases of the main species at many sites. Fairly high abundances of Ulva (tubular) were present at some sites and stations, but there was no obvious pattern to their distribution.

Green algae (Mean % cover from 60 stns) 5.0 Monitoring stns 160 Monitoring stns 4.5 Monitoring & reference stns 140 4.0 120 3.5 3.0 100 2.5 80

2.0 60 1.5 40 Count of records (lines) records of Count Mean abundance (bars) 1.0 0.5 20 0.0 0 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 Year

Monitoring site no. 4.1 Grunn Taing Ulva (tubular) Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 US ------o - p - o - - n o - - n UMS - - n q - - - q p - - - - n p q - n n MS ------n ------LMS - - o o p - q p p p o o n n p o o n n LS r q p p p r - q p p o o n n o q p o q

Reference site no. 3.8 Vidlin Ness Ulva (tubular) Year 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 US - p o - o q p p p - n - - - o o - - - UMS p q q q p q r q q q n o o q o o o - - MS p - o p - - p q - - n o p p o q p r r LMS q - p q o - p p - p n o o p - p q r r LS p p p r p q p q r q p p q q n q q q p

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3.2 Site-specific descriptions

3.2.1 Orka Voe bund The bund, created when Orka Voe was filled in during the construction of the terminal in the late 1970s, is visited during the annual survey for a brief assessment of the condition of the rocky shore communities present. Particular attention is paid to the area of disturbance caused by the installation of the Magnus EOR pipeline in 2004/2005. There were no notable changes in habitat or communities along the bund compared to recent years. Construction work on the east side of Orka Voe, where the pipeline associated with the Laggan- Tormore WOS gas terminal crosses the shore, was still underway during the survey. The shore in that area was therefore not visited.

4 Discussion There were few notable changes in rocky shore communities around Sullom Voe between 2013 and 2014. The fluctuations described in the results sections are all considered to be natural and mostly within typical levels for those shores and the survey methodology. None of the recorded fluctuations is considered to be related to the terminal. A few longer term changes in the data have been mentioned in the results section, including fewer records of the calcareous sponge Leucosolenia and fewer records of chitons and tortoiseshell limpets in the last decade compared to earlier in the survey programme. Given the relatively small size and cryptic nature of those species and the small number of records in any year one should not put a high confidence on these apparent trends. However, all four of those species are listed on the recording form and are searched for in suitable habitats each year. Further, while the surveyor now requires glasses to carry out these surveys this has not affected the recording! Austrominius modestus, the australasian immigrant barnacle, continues to persist in small numbers at the Voxter Ness transect site and is occasionally recorded at other sheltered sites in the Voe, particularly Mavis Grind. As the larvae of this species spend a long time in the plankton (10 to 40 days depending on temperature (NNSS 2014), so at the longer end of that range in Shetland), it is interesting to speculate on how such small populations persist in the same locations. Is there a much larger population somewhere in the vicinity and do the water circulation patterns at the head of the Voe help to maintain a supply of larvae to those shores?

4.1 Effects of terminal operations and oil spills During the period July 2013 to July 2014 there were no pollution incidents reported within Sullom Voe (Simon Skinner, pers. comm.). The temporary containment area at the top of the shore between Jetty 1 and Jetty 2, following the seepage of oily waste from the dirty water drainage system in August 2012, had been strengthened since August 2013. A weekly sampling programme for analysis of oil in water was ongoing and the terminal was working towards a close-out, to be followed by remediation of the site (George Darrah via Alex Thomson, pers. comm.). The results of the survey of Transect 6.2 (S. of Jetty 2), which lies approximately 25m north of the bund, still showed no apparent effects from the seepage or bund. Terminal activities during the past 12 months appear to have had no obvious impacts upon the rocky shore communities of Sullom Voe.

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5 References Baker, J.M. and Wolff, W.J. (1987) Biological Surveys of Estuaries and Coasts. Estuarine and Brackish Water Sciences Association handbook. Cambridge University Press. 449 pp. Ballantine, W.J. (1961). A biologically-defined exposure scale for the comparative description of rocky shores. Field Studies, 1, 1-19. Hiscock, K. (1983) Assessment of rocky shore surveys in Sullom Voe, 1976-1981. (Contractor: Field Studies Council, Oil Pollution Research Unit, Pembroke.) Unpublished report to Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group. Howson, C.M. and Picton, B.E. (eds.) (1997). The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Ulster Museum and the Marine Conservation Society. Belfast. 508 pp. Moore, J.J. (2013). Sullom Voe rocky shore transects monitoring, 1976 to 2012: summary of survey methods and database. A report to SOTEAG from Aquatic Survey & Monitoring Ltd., Cosheston, Pembrokeshire. 16 pp + iii Moore, J.J. and Gubbins, M.J. (2014). Surveys of dogwhelks Nucella lapillus in the vicinity of Sullom Voe, Shetland, July 2013. A report to SOTEAG from Aquatic Survey & Monitoring Ltd., Cosheston, Pembrokeshire and Marine Scotland Science, Aberdeen. 42 pp +iv. NNSS (2014) Non-native Species Information Portal Factsheet 1301: Elminius modestus. GB Non- native Species Secretariat. [http://www.nonnativespecies.org/factsheet/ accessed 6/11/14].

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Appendix 1 Abundance scales used for intertidal organisms

1. Live barnacles (except B. perforatus) (record adults, spat, cyprids 7. Pomatoceros sp. separately); Littorina neritoides; Littorina neglecta 7 Ex 500 or more per 0.01 m2, 5+ per cm2 5 A 50 or more tubes per 0.01 m2 6 S 300-499 per 0.01 m2, 3-4 cm2 4 C 1-49 tubes per 0.01 m2 2 2 2 3 F 1-9 tubes per 0.1 m 5 A 100-299 per 0.01 m , 1-2 per cm 2 2 2 O 1-9 tubes per m 4 C 10-99 per 0.01 m 2 3 F 1-9 per 0.01 m2 1 R Less than 1 tube per m 2 O 1-99 per m2 1 R Less than 1 per m2

2. Balanus perforatus 8. Spirorbinidae 7 Ex 300 or more per 0.01 m2 5 A 5 or more per cm2 on appropriate substrata; more than 100 6 S 100-299 per 0.01 m2 per 0.01 m2 generally 2 5 A 10-99 per 0.01 m 2 2 4 C Patches of 5 or more per cm ; 1-100 per 0.01 m generally 4 C 1-9 per 0.01 m2 2 3 F 1-9 per 0.1 m2 3 F Widely scattered small groups; 1-9 per 0.1 m generally 2 O 1-9 per m2 2 O Widely scattered small groups; less than 1 per 0.1 m2 1 R Less than 1 per m2 generally 1 R Less than 1 per m2

3. Patella spp. 10 mm+, Littorina littorea (juv. & adults), Littorina 9. Sponges, hydroids, Bryozoa mariae/obtusata (adults), Nucella lapillus (juv., <3 mm). 5 A Present on 20% or more of suitable surfaces. 2 7 Ex 20 or more per 0.1 m 4 C Present on 5-19% of suitable surfaces 6 S 10-19 per 0.1 m2 2 3 F Scattered patches; <5% cover 5 A 5-9 per 0.1 m 2 4 C 1-4 per 0.1 m2 2 O Small patch or single sprig in 0.1 m 3 F 5-9 per m2 1 R Less than 1 patch over strip; 1 small patch or sprig per 2 O 1-4 per m2 0.1 m2 1 R Less than 1 per m2

4. Littorina ‘saxatilis’, Patella <10 mm, Anurida maritima, Hyale 10. Flowering plants, lichens, lithothamnia nilssoni and other amphipods, Littorina mariae/obtusata juv. 7 Ex More than 80% cover 7 Ex 50 or more per 0.1 m2 6 S 50-79% cover 6 S 20-49 per 0.1 m2 5 A 20-49% cover 5 A 10-19 per 0.1 m2 4 C 1-19% cover 4 C 5-9 per 0.1 m2 3 F Large scattered patches

3 F 1-4 per 0.1 m2 2 O Widely scattered patches all small 2 O 1-9 per m2 1 R Only 1 or 2 patches 1 R Less than 1 per m2

5. Nucella lapillus (>3 mm), Gibbula sp. Monodonta lineata, Actinia 11. Algae equina, Idotea granulosa, Carcinus (juv. & recent settlement), 7 Ex More than 90% cover Ligia oceanica 6 S 60-89% cover 7 7 Ex 10 or more per 0.1 m2 5 A 30-59% cover 6 S 5-9 per 0.1 m2 5 A 1-4 per 0.1 m2 4 C 5-29% cover 4 C 5-9 per m2, sometimes more 3 F Less than 5% cover, zone still apparent 3 F 1-4 per m2, locally sometimes more 2 O Scattered plants, zone indistinct 2 2 O Less than 1per m , locally sometimes more 1 R Only 1 or 2 plants 1 R Always less than 1 per m2

6. Mytilus edulis, Dendrodoa grossularia Other animal species: 7 Ex 80% or more cover record as percentage cover or approximate numbers within 0.01, 0.1 or 1 m2 6 S 50-79% cover 5 A 20-49% cover 4 C 5-19% cover 3 F Small patches, 5%, 10+ small individuals per 0.1 m2, 1 or more large per 0.1 m2 2 O 1-9 small per 0.1 m2 1-9 large per m2; no patches except small in crevices 1 R Less than 1 per m2

Aquatic Survey & Monitoring Ltd. December 2014 Survey of the rocky shores in the region of Sullom Voe, Shetland, July/August 2014 Page 25

Appendix 2 Chronology of personnel changes and methodology during SOTEAG rocky shore monitoring programme Contractors: Oil Pollution Research Unit, Field Studies Council Research Centre, Cordah Ltd., BMT Cordah Ltd., Aquatic Survey & Monitoring Ltd. Survey staff: Annette Little (AL), Tony Thomas (AT), Ben James (BJ), Christine Howson (CH), David Emerson (DE), David Levell (DL), Frank Fortune (FF), Harry Goudge (HG), Heather Howcroft (HH), John Addy (JA), Jenny Baker (JB), John Crothers (JC), John Hartley (JH), Jon Moore (JM), Keith Hiscock (KH), Kingsley Iball (KI), Lou Luddington (LL), Peter Taylor (PT), Sue Hiscock (nee. Hainsworth) (SH), Tom Mercer (TM). Sites: No. of sites within Sullom Voe and adjacent part of Yell Sound + No. of reference sites (dogwhelks refers to the associated monitoring of dogwhelks; see Moore and Gubbins 2014) Year Contractor Survey staff Sites Stns Methods (see Moore 2013 for explanation) Month 1976 OPRU JB, KH, SH, DL, JA, JH 30 + 4 All Full survey May 1977 OPRU JB, SH, KH, JC, DE, AT 34 + 9 All Full survey May 1978 OPRU KH, JC, AT, AL 18 + 2 All Full survey May 1979 OPRU KH, AT, DE, HH 21 + 2 All Full survey May 1980 OPRU KH, JC, DE, AT 25 + 2 All Full survey May 1981 OPRU KH, DE, AT, KI 25 + 2 All Full survey May/June 1982 Not surveyed 1983 Not surveyed 1984 OPRU KH 25 All Rapid survey August 1985 OPRU KH 25 All Rapid survey August 1986 OPRU KH 25 All Rapid survey August 1987 OPRU CH 23 All Rapid survey August 1988 FSCRC (OPRU) CH, AL 23 All Rapid survey, reestablishment of 6 transects August 1989 FSCRC (OPRU) AL, TM 23 All Rapid survey, reestablishment of 2 transects August 1990 FSCRC (OPRU) JM, PT 23 All Rapid survey August 1991 FSCRC (OPRU) JM, PT 23 All Rapid survey (+ dogwhelks) August 1992 FSCRC (OPRU) PT, JM 23 All Rapid survey July/Aug 1993 FSCRC (OPRU) JM, PT 15 + 5 5 Full survey (+ dogwhelks) August 1994 FSCRC (OPRU) JM, AL 15 + 5 5 Full survey August 1995 FSCRC (OPRU) JM, AL 15 + 5 5 Full survey (+ dogwhelks) August 1996 OPRU JM, AL 15 + 5 5 Full survey August 1997 OPRU JM, AL 15 + 5 5 Full survey (+ dogwhelks) August 1998 Cordah JM, BJ 15 + 5 5 Full survey August 1999 Cordah BJ, JM 15 + 5 5 Full survey (+ dogwhelks) July/Aug 2000 Cordah JM, BJ 15 + 5 5 Full survey August 2001 BMT Cordah FF, JM 15 + 5 5 Full survey (+ dogwhelks) July/Aug 2002 BMT Cordah FF, JM 15 + 5 5 Full survey July 2003 BMT Cordah FF, JM 15 + 5 5 Full survey July/Aug 2004 BMT Cordah JM, FF 15 + 5 5 Full survey (+ dogwhelks) July/Aug 2005 BMT Cordah JM, FF 15 + 5 5 Full survey July 2006 ASML JM, CH 15 + 5 5 Full survey August 2007 ASML JM, LL 15 + 5 5 Full survey (+ dogwhelks) July/Aug 2008 ASML JM, CH 15 + 5 5 Full survey August 2009 ASML JM, CH 15 + 5 5 Full survey (+ dogwhelks) August 2010 ASML JM, CH 15 + 5 5 Full survey July/Aug 2011 ASML JM, HG 15 + 5 5 Full survey (+ dogwhelks) August 2012 ASML JM, CH 15 + 5 5 Full survey July 2013 ASML JM, CH 15 + 5 5 Full survey (+ dogwhelks) July 2014 ASML JM, CH 15 + 5 5 Full survey July/Aug

Aquatic Survey & Monitoring Ltd. December 2014