2004-2005,CMACS, Greater Gabbard, Marine Ecology EIA

Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies Ltd (CMACS) has been contracted by Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Ltd to undertake marine ecology components of the environmental impact assessment for the proposed Greater Gabbard offshore wind farm. Following discussions with Zoe Crutchfield of JNCC it was agreed that the timing of benthic ecology survey works would be adjusted to reduce the possibility of accidental damage to reef habitat through grab sampling and beam trawling. Thus the drop down camera survey was undertaken as the first stage of benthic ecological survey. Poor water clarity on site during October 2004 meant that we were unsuccessful in obtaining footage of the seabed at our target sites. It was subsequently agreed with JNCC that benthic grab survey be undertaken first, followed by beam trawls (with greater potential to damage reef habitat) only at those sites where no evidence of reef habitat was found.