2005, EMU, Inner Dowsing - Lynn - Lincs, Mussel Survey

This study is part of the monitoring programme stipulated within the FEPA Licences for construction of the consented Lynn wind farm and Inner Dowsing wind farm off the Lincolnshire Coast in the Greater Wash Strategic Area. Emu Ltd was commissioned to undertake surveys of fish and shellfish species of conservation and commercial importance and of epibenthic communities as part of the pre-construction phase. Surveys took place to obtain baseline information regarding distribution and abundance of any edible mussel beds from the vicinity of the proposed wind farms. The surveys are in no way intended to be a stock assessment of the mussels in the area. The outcomes of the surveys showed edible mussels were totally absent from seven of the stations surveyed. Negligible quantities were found at a further five stations and were the result of small quantities being recorded on just one or two of the six surveys. Sites with few or no mussels were typically characterised by a sparse catch of clean cobbles and boulders.