2. Project Background and Consents

2.1. Project Characteristics

  1. The Array is located off the east coast of Scotland, approximately 80 km south-east of Aberdeen from the nearest point (see Figure 2.1   Open ▸ ).
  2. The Array parameters have been selected from the Project Design Envelope (PDE) as assessed in the Array EIA Report. The Array will consist of the following:
  • up to 265 floating wind turbines (each comprising a tower section, nacelle, hub and three rotor blades) and associated floating foundations;
  • mooring and anchoring systems for each floating foundation;
  • connectors and ancillaries for mooring and anchoring systems, including buoyancy elements and clump weights;
  • up to six large Offshore Substation Platforms (OSPs), or up to three large OSPs and up to 12 small OSPs with fixed jacket foundations;
  • scour protection per foundation for wind turbine anchoring systems;
  • scour protection for small and large OSP fixed foundations as required;
  • a network of dynamic/static inter-array cabling linking the individual floating wind turbines to each other and OSPs, and interconnector cables between OSPs (approximately 1,261 km of inter-array cabling and 236 km of interconnector cabling); and
  • discrete condition monitoring equipment (such as sensors, cameras, dataloggers etc.), as required for safe and efficient operation of the Array infrastructure.

Figure 2.1:
Location of the Array

Figure 2.1: Location of the Array


2.2. Linkages with Other Consents management Plans

  1. The INNSMP is consistent as far as possible with other relevant consent plans prepared for the Array, which are set out in Table 2.1   Open ▸ .

 

Table 2.1:
Linkages with Other Consent Plans

Table 2.1: Linkages with Other Consent Plans

 

3. Roles and Responsibilities

  1. Table 3.1   Open ▸ provides a list of the roles and responsibilities in relation to this INNSMP.

 

Table 3.1:
Roles and Responsibilities in Relation to the INNSMP

Table 3.1: Roles and Responsibilities in Relation to the INNSMP

4. Invasive Non-Native Species Management Plan Methodology

  1. The following sections describe the process of creating the INNSMP following best practice guidance (Payne et al., 2014) and information provided in the Code of Practice on Non-Native Species (Scottish Government, 2020). A stepwise approach has been taken as detailed below, to accurately assess the risk of INNS in relation to the Array.

4.1. Step 1 – Understanding Your Site

  1. The following parameters should be considered when understanding the Array site as part of the INNSMP development:
  • salinity of the site;
  • presence of any man-made structures; and
  • whether INNS are present within/on site.
  1. The presence/absence of INNS is directly linked to the salinity of the site, as the majority of marine flora and fauna are unable to survive in freshwater due to osmoregulatory effects (Evans, 1980). The more freshwater enters the site, the lower the risk of INNS due to inhospitable conditions; conversely a greater risk is present for a full marine site.
  2. The risk of INNS establishment is also increased by the presence of man-made structures. Information regarding any periods of slow or stationary works or climatic conditions that may increase biosecurity risk should be included.
  3. If INNS have been recorded onsite, the focus of the INNSMP should be reducing the risk of introducing new INNS and the prevention of spreading existing INNS to other sites. In this case, a precautionary approach should be followed, even if no INNS are present at the site.
  4. Based on this, a site can be categorised as either a low risk or significant risk site, depending on the risk of INNS introduction and spreading. Table 4.1   Open ▸ provides an example of this approach.

 

Table 4.1:
Example of Low and Significant Risk Sites (Payne et al., 2014)

Table 4.1: Example of Low and Significant Risk Sites (Payne et al., 2014)

 

4.2. Step 2 – Understand How INNS can be Introduced or Spread to Your Site

  1. In addition to understanding the site characteristics, the structures present on site and any INNS already present in the site, consideration must be given to how INNS can be introduced to the site.
  2. This step should be iterative and revisited when the INNSMP is due for review (see section 5.7.2).
  3. Table 4.2   Open ▸ provides an example of the type of questions to consider when creating an INNSMP.

 

Table 4.2:
Example of Questions and Risk to Consider Whilst Creating an INNSMP (Payne et al., 2014)

Table 4.2: Example of Questions and Risk to Consider Whilst Creating an INNSMP (Payne et al., 2014)

 

  1. The greatest risk of introducing INNS to the site is when a vessel (particularly slow moving vessels), equipment or stock arrives at the site from another country, region or water body, with similar environmental conditions (e.g. seawater temperature and salinity) while it is covered in biofouling (i.e. anything more than a thin, green ‘slime’ coating for vessel hulls) or contains additional algae or animals.
  2. Another main risk is introducing INNS from the arrival of a vessel with biofouling on the hull, for example, which comes from a site known for the presence of INNS.
  3. For the purposes of this assessment, any activity that falls within the ‘Low’ category in Table 4.2   Open ▸ is assessed as ‘Low’ Risk. Any activity that falls within the ‘Medium’ or ‘High’ categories is assessed as ‘Significant’ Risk, as ‘Significant’ is considered as any risk above low on a “low, moderate, high, severe” scale.

4.3. Step 3 – Identifying Activities which Risk Introduction Of Non-native Species

  1. The next step is to identify the main activities which take place at the site or as part of the operation/event, particularly those that could lead to the introduction and/or release of marine INNS at the site.
  2. The activities which carry almost no risk at all, such as those taking place in areas which are never in contact with sea water, do not need to be covered by this plan. However, always err on the side of caution, considering all activities which take place in or around the water and include both vessels and structures.
  3. A list of example activities which carry a risk of introduction and/or releasing INNS is provided in Payne et al. (2014). These are not directly related with offshore renewables, but applicable ones include:
  • use of construction barge and slow moving vessels;
  • using vessels from locations outside local water body;
  • removal of old structures/equipment;
  • cleaning of hull and associated structures; and
  • maintenance of equipment and vessels.
  1. When identifying activities, there are two possible approaches to follow, as described below. In general, the in-depth approach is recommended.

4.3.1. Simple Approach

  1. This approach aims to list all the activities which take place on the site, or which make up the operation/event that may carry a significant risk of introduction and/or releasing INNS. This list is then taken to Step 4 to develop control measures.

4.3.2. In-Depth Approach

  1. This technique helps the Applicant to better understand the risk of introducing and/or spreading INNS associated with each proposed activity. It also provides guidance on the development of biosecurity control measures as well as where and when to apply them. This approach has been developed from the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) and is further described in Annex B of Payne et al. (2014).
  2. This approach consists of the following steps:
  • Step 1 – List Site Activities: a list of all activities which have a reasonable risk of leading to the introduction of INNS is compiled.
  • Step 2 – Describe Activities: a brief description of activities is provided based on “who, what, when, where, why and how”.
  • Step 3 – Split Activities into Task: activities are subdivided into tasks, which are then briefly described.
  • Step 4 - Establish Critical Control Points and Control Measures: the following is included for each task identified:

–           risk;

–           justification;

–           critical control point;

–           control measure; and

–           who will carry out the control measure.

  • Step 5 – Develop an Action Plan: Based on the control measures developed in Step 4, an action plan is completed, setting out who will carry out the control measure, what they will do and when.