136. The amphipod Apherusa ovalipes was identified in the East Anglia Zone Survey report (Appendix 10.2) as a species of conservation concern present within the East Anglia Zone. The species is included in the JNCCs list of “Rare marine benthic flora and fauna in Great Britain” (Sanderson 1996a) This species was present at station 20 within the offshore cable corridor (as identified within the East Anglia ONE cable corridor survey).
137. It mantis shrimp Rissoides desmaresti was found at targeted samples stations 760, 762 and 780 and in sample 271 of the non-targeted samples. Its presence was noted in the survey report (Appendix 10.2), by the authors, as a rare species within UK waters however, Rissoides desmaresti is not listed under any importance categories or protected under any legislation. None of the sample stations listed above are within the East Anglia THREE site or the offshore cable corridor, however 762 is located just to the north of the offshore cable corridor.
138. Mussels, particularly Mytilus edulis andModiolus modiolus are considered important as they are a good prey source and where found in high densities they have potential to create biogenic reef which is an Annex I habitat (see section 10.5.5.1). Although there was no evidence from any of the benthic survey campaign of mussels forming biogenic reef, individuals of these species were recorded at various locations across the zone (Figure 10.12).
139. The two invertebrate species of potential conservation interest were recorded in the East Anglia THREE site. Obelia sp. were recorded in trawl 2 in the offshore cable corridor and at stations 2 and 4 in the western part of the offshore cable corridor and specimens of Ophelia sp. and Ophelia sp. (juv) which were recorded at trawl 12 within the East Anglia THREE site. These genera include species such as Obelia bidentata and Ophelia bicornis which are listed in Sanderson (1996b) as being nationally rare.
10.5.5.6 Other important species 140. The brown shrimps and Crangon allmani were found within many of the epifaunal surveys. Brown shrimp are not protected in the UK but are important commercial species and play an important role in ecosystem function and energy flow within the southern North Sea. Crangon spp. are an important prey source for many commercially important fish species such as cod (Gadus morhua), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and juvenile bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) (Steenbergen, et al. 2011) and are also predated by some sea birds (See Chapter 11 Fish and Shellfish Ecology for an assessment of the impacts on these species).
141. The edible crab Cancer pagurus, whilst not a protected species in the UK, is a key predator of a variety of crustaceans and molluscs and therefore has an important
Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014
East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm
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