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137.


Juveniles feed predominantly on small crustaceans (amphipods, mysids and crangonid shrimps), with larger individuals incorporating larger crustaceans (e.g. swimming crabs) and fish (e.g. sandeels, small gadoids and dragonet) in their diet (ICES, 2012j).


11.5.10.2 Spotted Ray 138. Spotted rays are most commonly found in moderately deep waters of between 8 and 283m depths on sandy and muddy sediment (Ellis et al. 2004). The distribution around the British Isles is considered similar to that described for thornback ray (Ellis et al. 2005). As shown by the results of IBTS surveys, (Figure 11.42) spotted rays occur off the East Anglian coast.


139. Nursery grounds are broadly similar to those of thornback rays, being typically in shallower waters (Ellis et al. 2004). Spotted rays lay between 24 and 60 eggs cases on the sea bed during the spawning season which hatch after 4-5 months (Kay and Dipper, 2009). Juveniles have, however, been found to be less abundant in the Greater Thames Estuary than thornback rays (Ellis et al. 2012). The East Anglia THREE site and the offshore cable corridor do not fall within the defined nursery areas for this species (Ellis et al. 2010). Spotted rays are considered of secondary importance in UK landings data in comparison to thornback rays.


140. Spotted rays are included in the OSPAR list of threatened and / or declining species and have been classified as of ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN (Table 11.9).


141. Spotted rays primarily feed on crustaceans, amphipods, isopods and shrimps. Fish are also consumed but they are not an important element of their diet (Wheeler, 1978).


11.5.10.3 Blonde Ray 142. Blonde rays are found on sandy substrates in coastal waters to depths of 100m but are more abundant at around 40m (Wheeler, 1978). Blonde rays are less frequent in the North Sea and Celtic Sea, being more common to inshore waters (14 to 146m) off southern and western England (Figure 11.43). Blonde ray were found at IBTS sites in the vicinity of East Anglia THREE (Table 11.5).


143. Blonde rays lay approximately 30 eggs cases per year with a 7 month incubation period (Kay and Dipper, 2009). They feed on a wide range of crustaceans, worms and fish, particularly herring, sprat, pouting, sandeels and sole (Wheeler, 1978).


Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014


East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm


Appendix 11.2 Page 63


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