78.
Both the winfarm analysis area and the cable analysis areas fall within a wider zone defined as a low intensity spawning area by Ellis et al. (2010) (Figure 11.17). In the Southern Bight, peak spawning occurs in February but in the southern North Sea it varies from the last week of January to mid-February (Daan et al. 1980; Heessen and Rijnsdorp, 1989) with peak spawning occurring in the eastern English Channel in mid-February (Brander, 1994; Pawson, 1995).
79.
ICES also collects data on the abundance of cod eggs and larvae as part of the MIK (Isaacs-Kidd midwater trawl) herring larval sampling program during the annual IBTS survey. The data from MIK samples for the years 2007-2009 has been mapped by the CHARM III Project (
http://www.charm-project.org/) and the distribution of early stage cod eggs is presented in Figure 11.18 and Figure 11.19. Comparatively low densities of cod stage 1 and 2 eggs were present in the inshore and offshore cable analysis areas and windfarm analysis areas in January for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008. As is apparent from Figure 11.18 and Figure 11.19, more extensive distributions of stage 1 and stage 2 cod eggs were observed to the east and north- east of the proposed East Anglia THREE site.
80.
First-feeding cod larvae consume small organisms in the plankton including diatoms and dinoflagellates before moving onto the nauplii of small crustaceans such as isopods and small crabs. As juvenile cod move from inshore areas into deeper waters further offshore they target larger, benthic prey (Demain et al. 2011).
81. Adult cod in the central North Sea feed on crustaceans, molluscs, and fish including sandeels, haddock, herring and several flatfish species (Wilding and Heard, 2004; Arnett and Whelan, 2001) and there is evidence of cannibalism (ICES 2005). Cod are considered to be responsible for significant mortality on commercial stocks of clupeid, gadoid and flatfish species (Daan, 1973).
82.
For management purposes, ICES currently defines three separate assessment areas for the North Sea cod: Divisions IIIa (Skagerrak), VIId (English Channel) and Sub- Area IV (southern and northern North Sea). ICES have advised, on the basis of the EU-Norway management plan, that landings of cod in the North Sea should not exceed 28,809 tonnes in 2014. ICES reports that there has been a gradual improvement in North Sea cod stock status over the last few years and spawning stock biomass has increased since 2007. The North Sea cod stock remains below target MSY and recruitment is poor (ICES 2013).
Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014
East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm
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