Ecological Survey
Baseline ecological surveys for tidal energy EIA
Port of Mostyn
Ecological Survey
Mostyn SeaPower, a subsidiary of the Port of Mostyn, wishes to develop a tidal lagoon in the outer Dee Estuary, North Wales.
As an area of high nature conservation value, it is important that detailed information is obtained to describe the Dee’s baseline ecological conditions to understand the changes that may occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed lagoon.
ABPmer, a longstanding adviser to the Port, was commissioned to design and undertake a range of ecological surveys in the Estuary to provide a robust evidence-base against which to undertake the impact assessment.
A two-year programme of fish surveys has been designed to understand population stock in the outer estuary, and migratory patterns of salmon and eel which could be affected by the lagoon turbines. This is being underpinned by Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, taking advantage of major advances in the use of DNA in ecological sampling, as opposed to direct samples from individual organisms.
Marine mammal surveys will gauge the frequency of whales, dolphins, porpoises and seals appearing in the proposed lagoon area. Such surveys will inform understanding of the potential effects during construction and operation. Passive acoustic monitoring instruments are being used to monitor porpoise and dolphin activity.
Bird surveys are to take place over two winters, to place the populations at Mostyn in the context of the whole estuary and designated area.
See also: North Wales Tidal Lagoon geophysical survey
ABPmer's ecologists support impact assessments, site management decisions and conservation policy development through bespoke, robust and proportionate habitat, bird, fish and marine mammal surveys. Learn more about our ecological survey capability.
