5.2.3 MarineMammals 88.


Based on the data collected from site specific surveys for the proposed project and a review of existing data sources, the species likely to occur in the in the East Anglia THREE site (see Appendix 1) and therefore considered in the HRA screening are:


 Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena;  Grey seal Halichoerus grypus; and  Harbour or common seal Phoca vitulina.


89.


For marine mammals the initial approach to screening is high level, with the key factor being the potential for connectivity between individual marine mammals from designated populations at the proposed project (i.e. demonstration of a clear source- pathway-receptor relationship). This approach was discussed and agreed with Natural England as part of the Evidence Plan process and the text below is updated from that presented previously (15th November 2013).


5.2.3.1 Harbour porpoise 90. Harbour porpoise is the most commonly sighted cetacean in the North Sea (ASCOBANS 2012) and is the cetacean most likely to be found in greatest numbers in the East Anglia THREE site. The North Atlantic population of harbour porpoise is divided into 15 management units (Evans et al. 2009). The East Anglia THREE site is encompassed by the South-western North Sea (SWNS) management unit. New guidance developed by the Statutory Nature Conservation Bodies (SNCBs) has identified three management units appropriate for within the UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) – North Sea, West Scotland and Celtic and Irish Seas (Figure 5.1, IAMMWG2013).


HRA High Level Screening May 2014


East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm Page 26


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