There is uncertainty as to whether artificial reefs facilitate recruitment in the local population, or whether the effects are simply a result of concentrating biomass from surrounding areas (Inger et al., 2009). The level of sensitivity assigned to fish and shellfish receptors will reflect the potential of the receptor to colonise or aggregate in the vicinity of introduced artificial structures.
Assessment of sensitivities of fish and shellfish species to loss of habitat will be informed by available literature including the assessments available on MarLIN and peer‐review publications.
The impact on key receptors will be considered at the local and population level.
3.3.2 Potential impacts during operation 30.
Monitoring studies conducted at operational wind farms indicate that perceived changes recorded are difficult to distinguish from expected natural variation (Judd, 2009, Vattenfall, 2009, Lindeboom et al, 2011). Whilst monitoring studies have been conducted over relatively short periods, the lack of evidence of gross changes to the fish and shellfish community at operational windfarms should be borne in mind when considering potential operational impacts.
3.3.2.1 Permanent loss of habitat: 31.
The construction of the windfarm will lead to a permanent loss of habitat in the footprint of foundations and potential area of cable protection. There may also be some loss of habitat over time associated with scour around foundations or if cable protection employed during operation.
3.3.2.1.1 Proposed method for assessment
The ZEA provides known size of area of each habitat type across the East Anglia Zone which can also be augmented by the 2013 survey data and applied to the specific sites.
Calculations of the entire footprint of the project will be made using a worst case scenario for:
a. Foundations (of wind turbines, collector stations, convertor stations, vessel moorings and met masts)
b. Scour protection c. Cable protection (including cable crossings)
Evidence plan Fish and Shellfish Method Statement
The magnitude of the impact will be quantified by calculating the footprint as a percentage of each habitat, nursery or spawning area within East Anglia THREE
East Anglia THREE and East Anglia FOUR Offshore Windfarms
September 2013 Page 31
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