Abstract
This assessment covers benthic ecology which, within the study area, is primarily infauna living within the sediments, although there are also small areas of hard substrate where epifauna dominate. Whilst the site characterisation survey undertaken to inform this assessment included the use of a 2 m scientific beam trawl which catch smaller demersal fish as well as epibenthic invertebrates, the natural fish communities and commercial fisheries (including sandeels, which spend much of their lives buried in the sand) are assessed in Section 11: Wind Farm Fish and Shellfish Ecology and Section 16: Wind Farm Commercial Fisheries respectively and are therefore not discussed in any detail in this Section. Section 16: Wind Farm Commercial Fisheries, also covers some commercially important invertebrates, notably scallops, but where relevant these are also mentioned here.
This Section considers physical effects, such as the direct effect of construction of the turbines and associated scour protection, and inter-array cables. It also considers noise created during construction, and possible effects of electromagnetic fields, as well as indirect and secondary effects such as those associated with changes to seabed sediments as a result of sediment deposition, or suspended sediments.
As well as the main offshore structures (turbines, foundations and substructures, meteorological masts and OSPs) this assessment includes the installation and operation of inter-array cables. The effects likely to result from the installation and operation of the OfTW are considered in Section 22: Offshore Transmission Works Benthic Ecology.