Construction Phase

Magnitude of Impact

All Fisheries

138. The maximum design scenario is represented by the installation of up to 307 wind turbines and ten OSPs/Offshore convertor station platforms, up to 1,225 km of inter-array cables, up to 94 km of interconnector cables and up to eight offshore export cables of up to 872 km in total length, with associated safety zones and/or advisory measures around relevant infrastructure/works, over a period of up to 96 months. Within this period, export cable installation (including post-commissioning) may take place over up to 24 months and site preparation activities may happen at any point during the construction phase.
139. As described in volume 2, chapter 13, there will be no restrictions on entry into the buoyed construction area other than those associated with construction and pre-commissioning safety zones. In addition, vessels will be able to transit the area of the Proposed Development export cable corridor during installation works. Fishing vessels in transit would only be affected by localised areas where safety zones may be in place at a given time and where advisory safe passing distances may be recommended.
140. Appropriate liaison would be undertaken with fisheries stakeholders via the Proposed Development’s FLO and other appropriate channels (e.g. Kingfisher Information Service, NtM, etc) to ensure that they are informed of the nature, timing and location of construction activities associated with the Proposed Development, including the location and extent of safety zones and advisory measures, in a timely and efficient manner.
141. The impact is predicted to be very small in spatial extent, being limited to the location of safety zones and/or advisory measures. Impacts would be temporary and intermittent and occur over a short to medium duration (short duration associated with 500 m construction safety zones and advisory measures and medium duration in the case of 50 m pre-commissioning safety zones). In addition, appropriate fisheries liaison and management measures will be implemented to minimise impacts. The magnitude is therefore considered to be low.

Sensitivity of the Receptor

Demersal Trawling – Nephrops and Squid Fishery

142. Vessels active in the Nephrops and squid fishery in the Commercial Fisheries Study area are typically between 10 m and 20 m in length and their operational ranges have been reported ranging from 2 nm to 60 nm (volume 3, appendix 12.1). Given their size and range of operation they have some capability to adapt to potential small changes in steaming routes to/from fishing grounds. The sensitivity of these vessels is considered to be low.

Creeling – Lobster and Crab Fishery

143. The majority of creelers active in the commercial fisheries study area are under 10 m in length and concentrate their activities in nearshore areas. Some vessels however have extended operational ranges and target grounds further offshore including the area of the Proposed Development array area. Smaller vessels which operate in nearshore areas would have limited capability to adapt to changes in steaming routes to/from fishing grounds, whilst vessels that operate in offshore areas would be more adaptable. The sensitivity is considered to be medium for smaller creelers that operate in nearshore areas, and low for vessels that have the ability to target areas further offshore.

Dredging – Scallop Fishery

144. Vessels active in the scallop dredging fishery within the commercial fisheries study area are typically nomadic vessels (generally over 15 m in length) with wide operational ranges, which target productive scallop grounds around Scotland and in many cases across the rest of the UK. Although some nearshore activity may be undertaken at times by smaller local vessels, this would be expected at very low levels.
145. Smaller local vessels which operate in nearshore areas would have limited capability to adapt to changes in steaming routes to/from fishing grounds, whilst nomadic vessels that operate in offshore areas would be more adaptable. The sensitivity is considered to be medium for small local scallop dredgers that operate in nearshore areas, and low for nomadic vessels.

Significance of the Effect

Demersal Trawling – Nephrops and Squid Fishery

146. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be low. The effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Creeling – Lobster and Crab Fishery

147. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium for small vessels active in nearshore areas and low for vessels that have extended operational ranges. The effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance for both types of vessels which is not significant in EIA terms.

Dredging – Scallop Fishery

148. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be low for nomadic vessels and medium for local vessels that target nearshore areas. The effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance for both types of vessels, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Secondary Mitigation and Residual Effect

149. No commercial fisheries mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect in the absence of mitigation (beyond the designed in measures outlined in section 12.10) is not significant in EIA terms.

Operation and Maintenance Phase

Magnitude of Impact

All Fisheries

150. The maximum design scenario is represented by the presence of up to 307 wind turbines and up to ten OSPs/Offshore convertor station platforms, with a minimum spacing between wind turbines of 1,000 m, presence of inter-array cables, interconnector cables and offshore export cables, with associated safety zones as required over the operation and maintenance phase (35 years).
151. Requirements for safety zones of relevance to fishing vessels in transit (steaming) are anticipated to include 500 m operational safety zones around major maintenance activities.
152. Whilst the impact could occur across the operational lifetime of the Proposed Development, fishing vessels would not be restricted from transiting through the Proposed Development array area and Proposed Development export cable corridor, with the exception of areas subject to safety zones at a given time.
153. Furthermore, appropriate liaison would be undertaken with fisheries stakeholders to ensure that they are informed of the nature, timing and location of major maintenance activities associated with the Proposed Development, including the location and extent of safety zones, in a timely and efficient manner.
154. The impact is predicted to be of very small spatial extent localised and intermittent in nature and a range of fisheries liaison and management measures will be implemented to minimise impacts on fishing. The magnitude is therefore considered to be negligible.

Sensitivity of the Receptor

155. The sensitivity of the receptors to increased steaming times during the operation and maintenance phase is as previously described for the construction phase. This is as follows:

• demersal trawling – Nephrops and squid fisheries: low (paragraphs 142);
• creeling – lobster and crab fishery: medium for small vessels which operate in nearshore areas and low for vessels with extended operational ranges (see paragraph 143); and
• dredging – scallop fishery: low for nomadic vessels and medium for smaller local vessels that operate nearshore (see paragraphs 144 and 145).

Significance of the Effect

Demersal Trawling – Nephrops and Squid Fishery

156. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be negligible and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be low. The effect will, therefore, be of negligible adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Creeling – Lobster and Crab Fishery

157. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be negligible and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium for vessels that operate in nearshore areas and low for vessels with extended operational ranges. For both types of vessels, the effect will, therefore, be of negligible adverse significance which is not significant in EIA terms.

Dredging – Scallop Fishery

158. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be negligible and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be low for nomadic vessels and medium for local vessels that operate in nearshore areas. For both types of vessels, the effect will, therefore, be of negligible adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Secondary Mitigation and Residual Effect

159. No commercial fisheries mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect in the absence of further mitigation (beyond the designed in measures outlined in section 12.10) is not significant in EIA terms.

Decommissioning Phase

160. The decommissioning sequence will generally be the reverse of the construction sequence and involve similar types and numbers of vessels and equipment.
161. The effects of decommissioning activities with regard to increased steaming times are therefore expected to be the same or similar in nature to the effects of construction (paragraphs 146 to 148) and therefore considered as follows:

• demersal trawling – Nephrops and squid fisheries: minor adverse significance which is not significant in EIA terms;
• creeling – lobster and crab fishery: minor adverse significance which is not significant in EIA terms; and
• dredging – scallop fishery: minor adverse significance which is not significant in EIA terms.

Snagging Risk – Loss or Damage to Fishing Gear and Safety Issues

162. The sections below provide an assessment of snagging risk and potential associated damage or loss of fishing gear and safety issues as a result of Proposed Development infrastructure and potential seabed obstacles resulting from the Proposed Development construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning phase.
163. Safety risks associated with navigation (including for fishing vessels) are assessed in volume 2, chapter 13.
164. The assessment presented here follows the standard methodology described in section 12.9 with regard to loss or damage to fishing gear. For assessment of safety issues, a risk assessment approach based on the methodology presented in the shipping and navigation assessment (volume 2, chapter 13) has been followed. This assigns risk ratings based on the probability of occurrence (negligible, extremely unlikely, remote, reasonably probable or frequent) and the severity of the effect (negligible, minor, moderate, serious or major). Effects of unacceptable significance are considered important in the decision-making process, whilst effects broadly acceptable or tolerable significance warrant, little, if any, weight in the decision- making process. Further detail on the risk assessment methodology is provided in the shipping and navigation chapter (volume 2, chapter 13).

Construction Phase

Magnitude of Impact and Probability of Occurrence

All Fisheries

165. As construction progresses, the increasing presence of subsea Proposed Development infrastructure such as wind turbine and OSP/Offshore convertor station platform foundations would have potential to represent a snagging risk for fishing gear. Similarly, the potential presence of sections of offshore export cables, inter-array and interconnector cables temporarily awaiting burial or protection as well as seabed obstacles (e.g. dropped objects) which may be present as a result of construction works may also pose a snagging risk.
166. The maximum design scenario is represented by the installation of up to 307 wind turbines and ten OSPs/Offshore convertor station platforms, up to 1,225 km of inter-array cables, up to 94 km of interconnector cables and up to eight offshore export cables of up to 872 km in total length, over a period of up to 96 months. Within this period, offshore export cable installation (including post-commissioning) may take place over up to 24 months and site preparation activities may happen at any point during the construction phase in addition, it assumes that cables may be surface laid before being buried/protected and that there is potential for obstacles on the seabed to arise from the construction phase which may represent a fastening risk to fishing gears.
167. A number of liaison and management measures will be implemented to ensure that loss or damage to fishing gear and associated safety issues is minimised and mitigated appropriately. This will include the circulation of the required information with regard to construction works, including on the location of safety zones and advisory measures. In addition, guard vessels and OFLOs will be used during construction as appropriate.
168. All contractors undertaking works will be contractually obliged to ensure compliance with standard offshore safety policies, including those that prohibit the discarding of objects or material overboard and that require the rapid recovery of accidentally dropped objects.
169. Provisions for the measures above will be included in the FMMS which will be produced for the Proposed Development (see Outline FMMS in volume 4, appendix 24).
170. The impact is predicted to be of very small spatial extent (being localised around the immediate footprint of Proposed Development infrastructure) and of short to medium term duration. In addition, as described above a range of fisheries liaison and management measures will be implemented. The magnitude is therefore considered to be low and the frequency of occurrence of safety issues remote.

Sensitivity of the Receptor and Severity of Consequence

All Fisheries

171. In the event that fishing gear snags with Proposed Development infrastructure or associated seabed obstacles, there is potential for the gear to be damaged or lost. As such, all fisheries are considered to have limited adaptability to the potential impact. The sensitivity of the receptor is therefore considered to be medium. Fishing vessels operating in and around the area of the Proposed Development would be made aware of applicable safety zones as well as any advisory measures which may apply at a given time. In the event of fishing gear becoming fast with infrastructure or seabed obstacles associated with the Proposed Development, vessel’s skippers would be expected to follow standard safety guidance and emergency procedures. As described in KIS-ORCA (KIS-ORCA, 2022) if a fishing vessel snags a cable or finds itself in difficulty within a wind farm, the skipper must not endanger the vessel and crew by attempting to recover gear. Provided the required safety guidance and emergency procedures are followed, the severity of a snagging incident is considered to be moderate.

Significance of the Effect

All Fisheries

172. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium. The probability of occurrence is deemed to be remote and the severity of consequence moderate. The effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance and tolerable, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Secondary Mitigation and Residual Effect

173. No commercial fisheries mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect in the absence of further mitigation (beyond the designed in measures outlined in section 12.10) is not significant in EIA terms.

Operation and Maintenance Phase

Magnitude of Impact and Probability of Occurrence

All Fisheries

174. During the operation and maintenance phase of the Proposed Development the presence of subsea infrastructure such as wind turbine and OSP/Offshore convertor station platform foundations and cable protection (where required) has potential to represent a snagging risk for fishing gear. Similarly, the potential presence of discrete sections of offshore export cables and/or inter-array cables which may become exposed as well as seabed obstacles which may arise as a result of maintenance works (i.e. dropped objects, sediment berms, etc) may also pose a snagging risk.
175. The maximum design scenario with regard to snagging risk during the operation and maintenance phase is represented by and operational life of up to 35 years, the presence of up to 307 wind turbines and up to ten OSPs/Offshore convertor station platforms, with a minimum spacing between wind turbines of 1,000 m, presence of up to 1,225 km of inter-array cables, 94 km of interconnector cables and up to eight offshore export cables (872 km in total) buried to a minimum depth of 0.5 m and protected where burial is not possible (cable protection in up to 15% of inter-array, interconnector and offshore export cables and at up to 94 cable crossings (78 for inter-array cables and 16 for offshore export cables)).
176. A number of liaison and management measures will be implemented to ensure that snagging risk and associated loss or damage to fishing gear and safety issues are minimised and mitigated appropriately. This will include the circulation of appropriate information, including on the location of safety zones and advisory measures which may need to be implemented during the operation and maintenance phase. The location, extent and nature of the cable protection used will be shared with fisheries stakeholders. In areas where rock placement is required, consideration will be given to designs that reduce potential snagging risk with fishing gear to facilitate co-existence with mobile fisheries, particularly demersal trawling (i.e. use of graded rocks and berms designed with 1:3 gradients). Furthermore, post-lay and burial surveys will be undertaken and rectification works where appropriate and practicable. Assessments will be undertaken to determine cable burial status (including cable protection) and identify potential changes to seabed conditions. Findings would be shared with the fishing industry to discuss requirements for any further surveys. In addition, a procedure for claim of loss or damage to fishing gear will be implemented.
177. All contractors undertaking works will be contractually obliged to ensure compliance with standard offshore safety policies, including those that prohibit the discarding of objects or material overboard and that require the rapid recovery of accidentally dropped objects.
178. Provisions for the measures above will be included in the FMMS which will be produced for the Proposed Development (see Outline FMMS in volume 4, appendix 24).
179. The impact is predicted to be of long-term but intermittent and it will occur over a very small spatial extent (being localised around the immediate footprint of Proposed Development infrastructure or associated seabed obstacle) and a range of fisheries liaison and management measures will be implemented. The magnitude is therefore considered to be low and the probability of occurrence of safety issues is considered to be remote.

Sensitivity of the Receptor and Severity of Consequence

All Fisheries

180. The sensitivity of the receptors to snagging risk and associated loss or damage to fishing gear and the severity of consequence of safety issues related to this during operation and maintenance is as previously identified for the construction phase. This is as follows:

• all fisheries: medium sensitivity for loss or damage to fishing gear and moderate severity of safety issues (see paragraph 171).

Significance of the Effect

All Fisheries

181. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium. The probability of occurrence is deemed to be remote and the severity of consequence moderate. The effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance and tolerable, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Secondary Mitigation and Residual Effect

182. No commercial fisheries mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect in the absence of further mitigation (beyond the designed in measures outlined in section 12.10) is not significant in EIA terms.

Decommissioning Phase

183. The decommissioning sequence will generally be the reverse of the construction sequence and involve similar types and numbers of vessels and equipment.
184. The effects of decommissioning activities associated with the removal of infrastructure with regard to snagging risk and associated loss or damage to fishing gear are therefore expected to be the same or similar in nature to the effects of construction (paragraphs 172) and are therefore considered to be as follows:

• all fisheries: minor adverse significance and tolerable which is not significant in EIA terms.
  185. The effects of infrastructure which may be left in situ is anticipated to be the same or similar in nature to the effects of the operation and maintenance phase with regard to gear snagging risks. These are as follows:
• all fisheries: minor adverse significance and tolerable which is not significant in EIA terms.
  186. As noted in the Enhancement, Mitigation and Monitoring Commitments (volume 3, appendix 6.3) as part of the decommissioning plan a detailed assessment of the status of cables (and cable protection where appropriate) left in situ will be undertaken post-decommissioning, based on best practice at the time. In the event that cable exposures are identified, these will be marked and notified and appropriate rectification works undertaken where practicable and feasible.

Interference with Fishing Activities

187. The transiting of vessels associated with the Proposed Development has potential to cause interference with fishing activities during the construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning phases. Interference in this context makes reference to fishing vessels engaged in fishing potentially having to change their normal operations due to the presence of transiting project vessels. In addition, for creelers, it considers interference due to the potential fouling of static gear marker lines by transiting project vessels.

Construction Phase

Magnitude of Impact

188. The maximum design scenario is represented by up to 10,238 vessel return trips per year, up to 116 vessels on site at one time and offshore construction taking place over a period of up to 96 months. Within this period, offshore export cable installation, including post-commissioning, may take place over a period of up to 24 months and site preparation activities may happen at any point during the construction phase ( Table 12.5   Open ▸ ).

Static gear fisheries – creeling

189. In the case of fishing vessels that use static gear such as creelers, the main potential cause of interference would be the fouling of static gear surface marker lines by transiting construction vessels.
190. Appropriate liaison would be undertaken with fisheries stakeholders to ensure that they are informed of the nature, timing and location of Proposed Development construction activities. This will include provisions for enabling awareness of construction vessel crews of the location of static gears and fishermen’s awareness of construction vessel operations. In addition, as noted in Table 12.9   Open ▸ , a Code of Good Practice for contracted vessels will be produced and OFLOs will be used as appropriate. In addition, a procedure for the claim of loss or damage to fishing gear will be developed and anticipated vessel transit routes and shelter/holding areas for construction vessels will be identified in the NSVMP.
191. Provisions for the measures above which will be produced for the Proposed Development (see Outline FMMS in volume 4, appendix 24).
192. The impact is predicted to be of local spatial extent, medium term duration and intermittent in nature. A range of fisheries liaison and management measures will be implemented to minimise potential interference between construction vessels and static gear fisheries. The magnitude of the impact is therefore, considered to be low.

Mobile fisheries – demersal trawling and scallop dredging

193. Appropriate liaison would be undertaken with fisheries stakeholders to ensure that they are informed of the nature, timing and location of Proposed Development construction activities. This will include provisions for enabling fishermen’s awareness of construction vessel transit routes. In addition, transiting construction vessels will fully comply as required under the COLREGS. Such compliance would negate the requirement for fishing vessels engaged in fishing to alter course or pose any risk to gear being towed. In addition, as noted in Table 12.9   Open ▸ , a Code of Good Practice for contracted vessels will be produced, FLOs will be used as required and anticipated vessel transit routes and shelter/holding areas for construction vessels will be identified in the NSVMP.
194. Provisions for the measures above will be included in the FMMS which will be produced for the Proposed Development (see Outline FMMS in volume 4, appendix 24).
195. The impact is predicted to be of local spatial extent, medium term duration and intermittent in nature. A range of fisheries liaison and management measures will be implemented. The magnitude of the impact is therefore, considered to be low.

Sensitivity of the Receptor

Static gear fisheries – creeling

196. Considering the static nature of the gear used by vessels that operate creels, they would have limited capability to avoid interactions between gear and transiting construction vessels. The sensitivity of the receptor is, therefore, considered to be medium.

Towed gear fisheries – demersal trawling and scallop dredging

197. In the case of fishing vessels operating towed gears, given their mobility, the potential for conflict with construction vessels would be limited. The sensitivity of the receptor is, therefore, considered to be low.

Significance of the Effect

Static gear fisheries – creeling

198. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium. The effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Towed gear fisheries – demersal trawling and scallop dredging

199. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be low. The effect will, therefore, be of negligible adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Secondary Mitigation and Residual Effect

200. No commercial fisheries mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect in the absence of further mitigation (beyond the designed in measures outlined in section 12.10) is not significant in EIA terms.

Operation and Maintenance Phase

Magnitude of Impact

201. The maximum design scenario is represented by an operation and maintenance phase of up to 35 years, up to 12 operation and maintenance vessels on site and any one time and the following vessel movements during operation and maintenance ( Table 12.13   Open ▸ ):

• Four Crew Transfer Vessels/Workboats, one jack -up vessel and two SOV (832, 2 and 26 trips per year, respectively);
• one cable repair vessel (up to five times over the operation and maintenance phase);
• one cable vessel survey conducting a four-week survey per year;
• one excavators or backhoe dredger (up to 5 times over the operation and maintenance phase); and
• two SOV daughter craft (two to four movements around the Proposed Development array area per day).

Static gear fisheries

202. As described above for the construction phase (paragraph 189), in the case of fishing vessels that use static gear such as creelers, the main potential cause of interference would be the fouling of static gear surface marker lines by transiting maintenance vessels.
203. The same fisheries liaison and management measures outlined for the construction phase, to minimise risk of interference with static gears, would also apply during the operation and maintenance phase (paragraph 190).
204. The impact is predicted to be of be of local spatial extent, long term duration and intermittent in nature and a range of fisheries liaison and management measures will be implemented. The magnitude of the impact is therefore, considered to be low.

Towed gear fisheries

205. As previously described in respect of the construction phase (paragraph 193), the potential for interactions between vessels using towed gear and maintenance vessels to occur would also be very limited. Transiting maintenance vessels will fully comply as required under COLREGS. Such compliance would negate the requirement for fishing vessels engaged in fishing to alter course or pose any risk to fishing gear being towed.
206. The impact is predicted to be of local spatial extent, long term duration and intermittent in nature and a range of fisheries liaison and management measures will be implemented. The magnitude of the impact is therefore, considered to be low.

Sensitivity of the Receptor

207. The sensitivity of the receptors to interference with fishing activities due to the presence of transiting vessels during the operation and maintenance phase is as previously described for the construction phase: This is as follows:

• static gear fisheries – creeling: medium (paragraphs 196); and
• towed gear fisheries – demersal trawling and scallop dredging: low (paragraph 197).

Significance of the Effect

Static gear fisheries – creeling

208. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be medium. The effect will, therefore, be of minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Towed gear fisheries – demersal trawling and scallop dredging

209. Overall, the magnitude of the impact is deemed to be low and the sensitivity of the receptor is considered to be low. The effect will, therefore, be of negligible adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Secondary Mitigation and Residual Effect

210. No commercial fisheries mitigation is considered necessary because the likely effect in the absence of further mitigation (beyond the designed in measures outlined in section 12.10) is not significant in EIA terms.

Decommissioning Phase

211. The decommissioning sequence will generally be the reverse of the construction sequence and involve similar types and numbers of vessels and equipment.
212. The effects of decommissioning activities with regard to interference with fishing activities are therefore expected to be the same or similar in nature to the effects of construction (paragraphs 198 to 199) and therefore considered as follows:

• static gear fisheries –creeling: minor adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms; and
• towed gear fisheries – demersal trawling and scallop dredging: negligible adverse significance, which is not significant in EIA terms.

Potential Impacts on Commercially Exploited Species

Construction Phase

213. There is potential for the construction phase of the Proposed Development to result in impacts on commercially exploited fish and shellfish species. This could in turn indirectly affect the productivity of the fisheries that depend on them.
214. The potential impacts of the construction of the Proposed Development on fish and shellfish species, including those of commercial importance, are assessed in volume 2, chapter 9 including consideration of the following:

• temporary habitat loss/disturbance;
• long-term subtidal habitat loss;
• injury and/or disturbance to fish and shellfish from underwater noise and vibration; and
• increased suspended sediment concentrations and associated sediment deposition.
  215. The assessment presented in volume 2, chapter 9 did not identify any impacts above minor adverse significance on fish and shellfish species of commercial importance in the study area. Consequently, any impacts associated with this on the commercial fisheries that target them are also expected to not exceed minor adverse significance which is not significant in EIA terms.

Operation and Maintenance Phase

216. There is potential for the operation and maintenance phase of the Proposed Development to result in impacts on commercially exploited fish and shellfish species. This could in turn indirectly affect the productivity of the fisheries that depend on them.
217. The potential impacts of the operation and maintenance phase of the Proposed Development on fish and shellfish species, including those of commercial importance in the commercial fisheries study area are assessed in volume 2, chapter 9 including consideration of the following:

• long-term subtidal habitat loss;
• temporary habitat loss/disturbance;
• increased suspended sediment concentrations and associated sediment deposition;
• injury and/or disturbance to fish and shellfish from underwaters noise and vibration;
• electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from subsea electrical cabling;
• changes in physical process due to the presence of foundations; and
• colonisation of foundations, scour protection and cable protection.
  218. The assessment presented in volume 2, chapter 9 did not identify any impacts above minor adverse significance on fish and shellfish species of commercial importance in the commercial fisheries study area. Consequently, any impacts associated with this on the commercial fisheries that target them are also not expected to exceed minor adverse significance which is not significant in EIA terms.

Decommissioning Phase

219. There is potential for the decommissioning phase of the Proposed Development to result in impacts on commercially exploited fish and shellfish species. This could in turn indirectly affect the productivity of the fisheries that depend on them.
220. The potential impacts of the decommissioning phase of the Proposed Development on fish and shellfish species, including those of commercial importance in the commercial fisheries study area, are assessed in volume 2, chapter 9 including consideration of the following:

• temporary habitat loss/disturbance;
• long-term subtidal habitat loss; and
• increased suspended sediment concentrations and associated sediment deposition.
  221. The assessment presented in volume 2, chapter 9 did not identify any impacts above minor adverse significance on fish and shellfish species of commercial importance in the commercial fisheries study area. Consequently, any impacts associated with this on the commercial fisheries that target them are also not expected to exceed minor adverse significance which is not significant in EIA terms.

12.11.1.         Proposed Monitoring

222. This section outlines the proposed monitoring proposed for commercial fisheries. Proposed monitoring measures are outlined in Table 12.11   Open ▸ .

Table 12.11: Monitoring Commitments for Commercial Fisheries

12.12. Cumulative Effects Assessment

12.12.1.         Methodology

223. The Cumulative Effects Assessment (CEA) assesses the impact associated with the Proposed Development together with other relevant plans, projects and activities. Cumulative effects are therefore the combined effect of the Proposed Development in combination with the effects from a number of different projects, on the same receptor or resource. Please see volume 1, chapter 6 for detail on CEA methodology.
224. The projects and plans selected as relevant to the CEA presented within this chapter are based upon the results of a screening exercise (see volume 3, appendix 6.4 of the Offshore EIA Report). Volume 3, appendix 6.4 further provides information regarding how information pertaining to other plans and projects is gained and applied to the assessment. Each project or plan has been considered on a case by case basis for screening in or out of this chapter’s assessment based upon data confidence, effect-receptor pathways and the spatial/temporal scales involved.
225. In undertaking the CEA for the Proposed Development, it is important to bear in mind that other projects and plans under consideration will have differing potential for proceeding to an operational stage and hence a differing potential to ultimately contribute to a cumulative impact alongside the Proposed Development. Therefore, a tiered approach has be adopted. This provides a framework for placing relative weight upon the potential for each project/plan to be included in the CEA to ultimately be realised, based upon the project/plan’s current stage of maturity and certainty in the projects’ parameters. The tiered approach which will be utilised within the Proposed Development CEA employs the following tiers:

• tier 1 assessment – Proposed Development (Berwick Bank Wind Farm offshore) with Berwick Bank Wind Farm onshore;
• tier 2 assessment – All plans/projects assessed under Tier 1, plus projects which became operational since baseline characterisation, those under construction, those with consent and submitted but not yet determined;
• tier 3 assessment – All plans/projects assessed under Tier 2, plus those projects with a Scoping Report; and
• tier 4 assessment – All plans/projects assessed under Tier 3, which are reasonably foreseeable, plus those projects likely to come forward where an Agreement for Lease (AfL) has been granted.
  226. The specific projects scoped into the CEA for commercial fisheries are outlined in Table 12.12   Open ▸ . These include plans, project and activities in Tier 2 and Tier 3. No projects of relevance to commercial fishing have been screened in under Tier 1 and Tier 4. ScotWind proposals have been screened out as there is insufficient data to make a fair and robust assessment of any overlap and therefore of cumulative effects with the Proposed Development.
  227. As described in volume 1, chapter 3, the Applicant is developing an additional export cable grid connection to Blyth, Northumberland (the Cambois connection). Applications for necessary consents (including marine licences) will be applied for separately. The CEA for the Cambois connection is based on information presented in the Cambois connection Scoping Report (SSER, 2022s), submitted in October 2022. The Cambois connection has been scoped into the CEA for commercial fisheries on the basis that Cambois connection will overlap spatially and temporally with the Proposed Development and the project will engage in activities such as cable burial and installation of cable protection which will impact commercial fisheries receptors.
  228. Only projects found off the east coast of Scotland for which there is potential interactions with the commercial fisheries receptors of relevance to the Proposed Development have been scoped into the assessment. In the case of scallop dredging, consideration has been given to projects further afield, given the wide operational range of nomadic vessels, to include distant projects such as Rampion offshore wind farm and Rampion 2 as these are located in areas of importance to the UK scallop fishery. The projects identified under Tier 2 and Tier 3 in Table 12.12   Open ▸ are shown in Figure 12.36   Open ▸ .

Table 12.12: List of Other Developments Considered Within the CEA for Commercial Fisheries

Figure 12.36: Other Developments Screened into the Cumulative Effects Assessment for Commercial Fisheries

12.12.2.         Maximum Design Scenario

228. The maximum design scenarios identified in Table 12.13   Open ▸ have been selected as those having the potential to result in the greatest effect on an identified receptor or receptor group. The cumulative effects presented and assessed in this section have been selected from the details provided in volume 1, chapter 3 of the Offshore EIA Report as well as the information available on other projects and plans (see volume 3, appendix 6.4), to inform a ‘maximum design scenario’. Effects of greater adverse significance are not predicted to arise should any other development scenario, based on details within the Project Design Envelope (e.g. different wind turbine layout), to that assessed here, be taken forward in the final design scheme.

Table 12.13: Maximum Design Scenario Considered for Each Impact as Part of the Assessment of Likely Significant Cumulative Effects on Commercial Fisheries