1998-1999, Unicomarine, Scroby Sands, Expected Impacts on Benthic Fauna

This project considers the benthic ecology of the Middle Scroby banks wind farm and in particular the probable changes resulting from the construction of the monopiles. Previous benthic surveys were observed and it was concluded that the loss of seabed resulting from the construction of the monopiles would be small, as would the loss of benthic biomass. The base of the monopiles will be allowed to scour and the scour area will be filled with stones to act as scour protection. The current experimental monopile has no scour protection material. There will be the loss of a small area of seabed, which has a fairly poor benthic fauna. The monopiles and the scour protection material are likely to support a more diverse benthic community than currently exists on the natural mobile sands.