Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Offshore Wind Farms and Transmission Infrastructure 5 Human Environment 5.1 Commercial Fisheries 5.1 5.1.1 Introduction 5.1.1.1 This chapter summarises the baseline study of commercial fishing activities, including salmon and sea trout fisheries, in the vicinity of the three proposed development sites (Telford, Stevenson and MacColl) and the offshore transmission infrastructure (OfTI). For the purpose of this study, commercial fishing is defined as CHAPTER any legal fishing activity undertaken for declared taxable profit. 5.1.1.2 The following technical appendices support this chapter and can be found as: Technical Appendix 4.3 B (Salmon and Sea Trout Ecology Technical Report). Technical Appendix 5.1 A (Commercial Fisheries Technical Report). 5.1.1.3 For the purposes of this assessment, salmon and sea trout fisheries in the Moray Firth are separately addressed to other commercial fisheries, as a result of their being located largely in-river (with the exception of some coastal netting) and being different in nature to the majority of marine commercial fishing activities. In addition, due to the migratory behaviour of salmon and sea trout, fisheries have been assessed for all rivers flowing into the Moray Firth. It is also recognised that salmon is a qualifying feature or primary reason for Special Area of Conservation (SAC) site selection of the following rivers in the Moray Firth: Berriedale and Langwell Waters SAC (primary reason); River Moriston SAC (qualifying feature); River Oykel SAC (qualifying feature); and River Spey SAC (primary reason). 5.1.1.4 This chapter sets out the following: The responses from key statutory and non-statutory stakeholders to MORLs scoping requests for the offshore generation station and the TI and the draft Environmental Statement (ES); Baseline methodology for commercial fisheries and salmon and sea trout; The baseline characteristics of the area of the three proposed wind farm sites and the OfTI in terms of (1) commercial fisheries and (2) salmon and sea trout; Individual baseline characteristics for the three proposed wind farm sites; and The relevant legislative and planning context. 5.1.1.5 This baseline is used to inform the commercial fisheries impact assessment described in: Chapters 8.1, 11.1 and 15.1 (Commercial Fisheries); and Chapter 12.1 (Whole Project Assessment). 5.1.2 Consultations 5.1.2.1 The Moray Firth Offshore Wind Farm Developers Group (MFOWDG) has collaborated to hold joint discussions with commercial fisheries interests. The MFOWDG is committed to ensuring that a collaborative approach is continued, where feasible, in future stages of development. Section 2 – Description of the Environment 5-1 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Offshore Wind Farms and Transmission Infrastructure Commercial Fisheries 5.1.2.2 MORL has engaged the local and wider fishing industry from the beginning of project development. Fishing Industry Representatives (FIRs) with an understanding of the fisheries undertaken in the areas of the developments, were recruited at an early stage to facilitate effective and ongoing development with the fishing community. In addition, regular updates have been held with the fishing community to discuss the Project and ascertain concerns. Consultation was undertaken and is ongoing with the organisations and individuals listed below. This consultation helped inform the baseline and impact assessments. The same commitment to engagement will be followed throughout the lifetime of the projects. Marine Scotland; Scottish Fishermen’s Federation; Scallop Association; Caithness Static Gear Fishermen’s Association; Fishermen’s Association Limited; North East Inshore Fisheries Group; and A sample of regional fishermen. 5.1.2.3 In addition, Table 5.1-1, Table 5.1-2 and Table 5.1-3 below summarise the relevant scoping responses received for the proposals, and results of the draft ES consultation process. Table 5.1-1 Summary of the Three Proposed Wind Farm Sites Scoping Responses Organisation Scoping Comments MORL Response The site is beyond the geographic remit of the local inshore fisheries groups, however they should be kept informed / consulted. MFIFG consulted on Marine Scotland Fishing statistics may not show activity from < 10 m vessels, however we proposals. would agree that these vessels, and indeed vessels < 15 m are unlikely to frequently operate this far offshore. Sedimentary Commercial shellfish stocks are very important in the area. The juvenile processes assessed in scallops are not very mobile and can be susceptible to smothering by Chapters 3.5, 6.2, 9.2 highly mobile sediments. Sediment loadings will need to be considered and 13.2. Also in the assessment, during construction and operation. covered in Chapters Moray Firth 7.1 and 10.1. Inshore Fisheries Group The EIA process should consider how interactions with the fishing industry Assessed in Chapters could be minimised and maximum access maintained both on a 8.1, 11.1 and 15.1. temporal and spatial basis. Operation exclusion zones should be evaluated within the EIA in order Assessed in Chapters to accurately indicate the restrictions on the fishing industry. 8.1, 11.1 and 15. 5-2 Section 2 – Description of the Environment Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Offshore Wind Farms and Transmission Infrastructure Table 5.1-2 Summary of Transmission Infrastructure Scoping Responses Organisation Scoping Comments MORL Response There are no aquaculture sites within the proposed boundaries of the 5.1 Landfall point MORL wind farms. There is, however, an active mussel site close to Marine Scotland excluded from where one of the initial options for the cable route corridor joins the land Rochdale Envelope. between Lossiemouth Forest and Portgordon. There is a need to ensure that for fisheries with naturally highly variable Each fishery is landings, such as the scallop and squid fisheries within the Moray Firth, assessed in Chapters that any data analysis and the use of long term data averages does 8.1 and 11.1. not mask the importance of such fisheries to the fishing community. Inshore Fisheries CHAPTER Group In addition to historic landing patterns and values, it is also important to recognise the value of near shore fishing grounds and species in relation Each fishery is to national management measures of days at sea and quote assessed in Chapters restrictions placed on various fish stocks. The squid fishery has no such 8.1 and 11.1. restrictions and is extremely economically important. Table 5.1-3 Summary of Draft ES Consultation Organisation Consultation Response MORL Response When describing commercial species / fisheries it would be worth including figures with average value landed in £, as this will give a better Included in Technical indication of the commercial importance of the species to the fishing Appendix 5.1 A. industry. When considering changes to fishing activity, the inter-array cabling Assessed in Chapters Marine Scotland and cable route should also be considered as this is what may affect 8.1 and 11.1. types of fishing that can occur. Complete exclusion of fishing by the scallop fleet from the MORL site Assessed in Chapters would pose a significant impact to the fleet. 8.1 and 11.1. Salmon and Sea Trout 5.1.2.4 Consultation was undertaken and is ongoing with the organisations and individuals listed below. Further information is included in Chapter 4.3 (Fish and Shellfish Ecology). Marine Scotland Science (MSS); Association of Salmon Fishery Boards (ASFB); Salmon Net Fishing Association of Scotland (SNFAS); District Salmon Fishery Boards (DSFBs) in the regional study area; Salmon Fishery Trusts and netsmen; Moray and Pentland Firths Salmon Protection Group (MPFSPG); and Moray Firth Sea Trout Project (MFSTP). 5.1.3 Baseline methodology for Commercial Fisheries and Salmon and Sea Trout Commercial Fisheries Data and Information Sources 5.1.3.1 The principal sources of data and information used for the collation of the commercial fisheries baseline were: Section 2 – Description of the Environment 5-3 Moray Offshore Renewables Limited - Environmental Statement Telford, Stevenson and MacColl Offshore Wind Farms and Transmission Infrastructure International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES); Marine Management Organisation (MMO); Marine Scotland; Marine Scotland Science (MSS); District Fishery Officers (DFOs); The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF); and Fishermen and their representatives. 5.1.3.2 Further details on the baseline methodology, including the sensitivities and qualifications of these data sources, are described in Technical Appendix 5.1 A (Technical Report). Literature Review 5.1.3.3 The following reports were reviewed and relevant information included in the baseline (for a full reference list, see 5.1.9 below): ICES Stock Assessment Reports and other ICES publications of relevance; EC / National and Local Fisheries Legislation; Marine Scotland and Marine Scotland Science publications; Oil and Gas UK publications; CEFAS publications; and Any other relevant publications. Statistical Datasets 5.1.3.4 The following statistical datasets were analysed for inclusion in the baseline: MMO Fisheries Statistics; MMO Surveillance Sightings; MMO UK Satellite Tracking (VMS) Data; Marine Scotland Satellite Tracking (VMS) Data; and Marine Scotland