EDISON S.P.A. Oil and Gas Exploration Permit Application “d 84F.R-EL” Environmental Impact Study SC/ND/RB RB 16/1/2018 REVISION PROJECT MANAGER DATE Environmental Impact Study Exploration Permit d 84F.R-EL Index 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................5 1.1. Results of the Scoping proc edure..........................................................................................6 2. Project Description ......................................................................................................................8 2.1. Project location ....................................................................................................................8 2.2. Protections and restrictions affecting the Project Area and its surroundings ........................... 10 2.2.1. Protections and restrictions ......................................................................................... 10 2.2.1.1. Protected Marine Areas (PAM) ............................................................................. 10 2.2.1.2. Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) ........................... 12 2.2.1.3. Fisheries – Biological Protection Zones (BPZ) ....................................................... 12 2.2.1.4. Marine archaeologic al sites .................................................................................. 14 2.2.1.5. Areas bound by specific provisions issued by the Harbour Office ............................ 15 2.2.1.6. Areas affected by landscape constraints ............................................................... 15 2.2.1.7. Military marine areas ........................................................................................... 15 2.2.2. National and international legislation ............................................................................ 17 2.2.2.1. European regulations ........................................................................................... 17 2.2.2.2. National legislation .............................................................................................. 20 2.3. General physical characteristics and operation of the Project ................................................ 33 2.3.1. General Project structure............................................................................................. 33 2.3.1.1. Scope of the geophysical prospection Project........................................................ 33 2.3.2. General notes on the reflection seismology method ...................................................... 33 2.3.3. General survey method ............................................................................................... 34 2.3.3.1. Air gun energization system ................................................................................. 39 2.3.3.2. Receiving system (hydrophone – streamer)........................................................... 38 2.3.3.3. General features of the seismic energizing and acquisition system ......................... 39 2.3.3.4. Seismic vessels................................................................................................... 39 2.3.4. Estimated acquisition Program and operation time scheduling ....................................... 41 2.4. Project emissions ............................................................................................................... 41 2.5. Description of the selected technique – selected array geometry ........................................... 42 2.6. Predictable plotting of the acquired seismic lines .................................................................. 44 2.6.1. Investigated area divided into a mesh grid .................................................................... 45 3. Project options .......................................................................................................................... 47 3.1. Zero option ........................................................................................................................ 47 3.2. Site options (Project region)................................................................................................ 47 3.3. Technical options ............................................................................................................... 48 3.3.1. Location options for energizing and recording equipment .............................................. 49 3.3.2. Array options .............................................................................................................. 50 Environmental Impact Study Exploration Permit d 84F.R-EL 1 4. Basic environmental scenario .......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 4.1. Data collection ................................................................................................................... 53 4.2. Study Area ........................................................................................................................ 53 4.3. Current environment conditions........................................................................................... 54 4.3.1. Physical components .................................................................................................. 55 4.3.1.1. Atmosphere ........................................................................................................ 55 4.3.1.1.1. Weather and climate conditions ......................................................................... 55 4.3.1.1.2. Useful information for an assessment of the impact effects from the atmospheric components ....................................................................................................................... 57 4.3.1.2. Area oceanography – marine waters ..................................................................... 57 4.3.1.2.1. Currents and tides regime ................................................................................. 57 4.3.1.2.2. Waves regime .................................................................................................. 58 4.3.1.2.3. Physico-chemical properties of the water column................................................ 58 4.3.1.2.4. Useful information for an assessment of the impact effects from the marine water component ....................................................................................................... 58 4.3.1.3. Marine soil and subsoil ........................................................................................ 59 4.3.1.3.1. Area geology, structure and stratigraphy ............................................................ 59 4.3.1.3.2. Seabed morphology and bathymetry .................................................................. 60 4.3.1.3.3. Useful information for an assessment of the impact effects on the marine soil and subsoil ............................................................................................................. 61 4.3.1.4. Marine acoustics ................................................................................................. 61 4.3.1.4.1. Characteristics of the underwater noise.............................................................. 61 4.3.1.4.2. Current status: maritime noise sources in the Ionian Sea .................................... 61 4.3.1.4.3. Useful information for an assessment of the impact effects from the nois e ........... 65 4.3.2. Biological components ................................................................................................ 65 4.3.2.1. Fauna, flora, ecosystems ..................................................................................... 65 4.3.2.1.1. Marine mammals .............................................................................................. 65 4.3.2.1.2. Sea birds ......................................................................................................... 80 4.3.2.1.3. Marine reptiles.................................................................................................. 83 4.3.2.1.4. Fishes and fish stocks of molluscs and crustaceans............................................ 85 4.3.2.1.5. Benthic fauna ................................................................................................... 89 4.3.2.1.6. Zooplankton e phytoplankton............................................................................. 95 4.3.2.1.7. Biocenosis ....................................................................................................... 97 4.3.2.1.8. Protected and restricted areas ........................................................................... 98 4.3.3. Social and ec onomic components .............................................................................. 102 4.3.3.1. Fisheries ........................................................................................................... 102 4.3.3.1.1. Fisheries general considerations ..................................................................... 102 4.3.3.1.2. General considerations on types of fisheries .................................................... 103 Environmental Impact Study Exploration Permit d 84F.R-EL 2 4.3.3.1.3. Fisheries sector in Puglia ................................................................................ 104 4.3.3.1.4. Information for an assessment of the impact effects on fis heries ........................ 106 4.3.3.2.