1. Introduction

1.1. Background

  1. The outline Invasive Non-Native Species Management Plan (INNSMP) has been prepared by RPS and Ossian Offshore Wind Farm Limited (Ossian OWFL), a joint venture partnership between SSE Renewables (SSER) Limited, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), and Marubeni Corporation, hereafter referred to as ‘the Applicant’, to support the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report for the Ossian Array (hereafter referred to as “Array”).
  2. This outline INNSMP has been developed taking into account feedback provided from consultees in the Ossian Array Scoping Opinion (MD-LOT, 2023), where it was highlighted that management plans should be “adequate” to be used as mitigation measures where they are key to reducing impact. Table 1.1   Open ▸ provides a summary of the issues raised by stakeholders in relation to Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS).

 

Table 1.1:
Issues Raised by Consultees in Relation to INNS

Table 1.1: Issues Raised by Consultees in Relation to INNS

 

  1. This plan will be updated and finalised before the start of construction following development of the final Array design, in accordance with the Array consents, and in consultation with regulatory bodies and stakeholders such as MD-LOT, MD-SEDD, NatureScot and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) on specific requirements for INNS management measures.
  2. The plan will be further updated prior to the commencement of the operation and maintenance and decommissioning phases.

1.2. Purpose of the Invasive Non-Native Species Management Plan

  1. The legislation and guidance relating to INNS at a European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK) level include the following:
  • EU Regulation 11/43/2014 on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species;
  • The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981;
  • International Conversion for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (adopted in 2004);
  • The Merchant Shipping (Anti-Fouling Systems) Regulations 2009;
  • Resolution MEPC.207(62) 2011 Guidelines for the Control and Management of Ships Biofouling to Minimize the Transfer of Invasive Aquatic Species;
  • The Invasive Non-Native Species (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019;
  • The Animal Welfare and Invasive Non-Native Species (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020; and
  • Marine Biosecurity Planning. Guidance for Producing Site and Operation-based Plans for Preventing the Introduction of Non-Native Species (Payne et al., 2014).
  1. In Scotland, INNS are covered by section 14 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This section was amended in 2012 when the INNS section of the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 came into force.
  2. In 2012, the Scottish Government published the Code of Practice on Non-Native Species (Scottish Government, 2012), which sets out a framework of responsibilities for bodies with powers relating to INNS. The Code provides practical guidance on how Developers should act responsibly and within the law to ensure that INNS do not cause harm to the marine environment. This Code focuses on a three-tiered approach, including prevention, rapid response and control and containment.
  3. Furthermore, Scottish Government (2020), which aims to protect and restore biodiversity, supporting healthier ecosystems, recognises INNS as a “significant threat to our marine biodiversity and industries such as aquaculture”. It also highlights the need to “implement a rapid-response framework to prevent colonisation of new invasive species in Scotland’s seas and islands “, as they represent a significant threat to marine biodiversity.
  4. The purpose of this outline INNSMP is to provide guidance for all activities associated with the Array relating to the marine environment. This INNSMP will be followed during all phases of the Array (construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning) and during vessel operations, to prevent and/or reduce the risk of introducing and/or spreading INNS into the waters of the Array. To do this, the methodology described in Payne et al. (2014) has been followed.
  5. The Great Britain Invasive Non-Native Species Strategy (HM Government, 2015) describes the following tiered approach to managing INNS:.
  • prevention;
  • early detections, surveillance, monitoring and rapid response; and
  • long term management and control.
  1. HM Government (2015) places a strong emphasis on prevention, thus this INNSMP focuses on providing tools to aid prevention of introducing and/or spreading INNS.

1.3. Document Structure

  1. This INNSMP has the following structure:
  • Section 2 – Project background and consents;
  • Section 3 – Roles and responsibilities
  • Section 4 – INNSMP methodology;
  • Section 5 – Array INNSMP; and
  • Section 6 – Useful sources of information.