11.5.7.4 Prey Species and Food Web Linkages 64. Abundant species with high biomass such as sandeels (Ammodytidae) and clupeids (e.g. herring and sprat) play an important functional role in North Sea food web dynamics. Such species represent an important food web link because they occupy intermediate trophic levels, are significant predators of zooplankton and represent a key dietary component for a variety of aquatic and terrestrial predators. As described in Appendix.11.2, the distribution of both these species groups overlap with the East Anglia THREE project. IBTS survey data indicates that clupeids are more abundant than the Ammodytidae in those ICES rectangles occupied by the East Anglia THREE project (Table 11.11). Species from both families were present in site- specific surveys, albeit in relatively low abundances (Table 11.8 and Table11.9).
65.
Species of the Ammodytidae and Clupeidae are important prey for piscivorous fish such as elasmobranchs, gadoids, bass, mackerel, and sea trout, amongst others (ICES 2005a; ICES 2005b ICES 2006; ICES 2008; ICES 2009). In addition, the demersal egg mats of herring are known to aggregate fish predators (Richardson et al. 2011). The diets of marine mammals such as seals Phoca spp. and harbour porpoise Phocena phocena are also subsidised by sandeels and clupeids to varying degrees (Santos and Pierce 2003; Wood 2001; Santos et al. 2004). Both species groups are also an important resource for seabirds; this is especially true of sandeels which are important prey for kittiwakes, razorbills, puffins and terns, particularly during the breeding season (Wright & Bailey 1993; Furness 1999; Wanless et al. 1998; Wanless et al. 1999; Wanless et al. 2005).
66.
The ecology of these species is described in further detail within Appendix 11.2, section 11.5.9
11.5.8 Species taken Forward for Assessment 67.
To reach agreement regarding which potential impacts and species would be taken forward for the East Anglia THREE EIA on fish and shellfish ecology, an evidence plan was produced and consultation undertaken with Cefas and Natural England (Evidence Plan meeting, 10th September 2013, and Appendix 11.1). Impacts to be assessed were decided based on species distribution, with reference to the East Anglia THREE project, and associated sensitivities to a range of potential impacts that may occur from the construction, operation and decommissioning phases.
Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014
East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm
Chapter 11 Fish and Shellfish Page 41
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