Page 220 - Alderney Regional Environmental Assessment of Renewable Energy: Environmental Report

Alderney Regional Environmental Assessment of Renewable Energy:
Environmental Report
Section 2.2.2) is considered to result in a higher exposure to collision risk during operation and
potentially moderate to major adverse impact.
7.2.2.3 Damage to fishing gear
The presence of tidal turbines, mooring equipment, cabling and offshore substation
infrastructure represent snagging/entanglement hazards for both static and mobile fishing
gears, potentially resulting in damage to, and possibly loss of, fishing gear. The magnitude of
these effect depends on the location and scale of the renewable developments, the level of
fishing activity that occurs within these areas and on the scale and the extent of any
restrictions, such as exclusion zones, imposed on the fishing industry.
The probability of exposure to this impact will depend upon the degree of overlap between the
areas fished and the renewable developments. The probability of exposure to this impact will
likely be highest for potting activity, which is undertaken within most of the 3nm mile limit. The
probability of exposure may be lowest for trawling activity, as tidal turbines are likely to be
placed in higher energy areas with scoured rock, which is unsuitable for trawling. Sensitivity is
considered moderate with the majority of change considered temporary. Exposure to change is
considered low resulting in a minor adverse/insignificant impact. A full build out of the Draft
Plan and the potential installation of up to 4000 tidal devices in Alderney’s territorial waters and
associated cable routeing (see Section 2.2.2) is considered to result in a moderate exposure to
change during operation and minor to moderate adverse impact.
7.2.2.4 Increased congestion
The Draft Plan may result in increased boat traffic at piers and pontoons used by local
fishermen during all phases of the development. Sensitivity of the fishing industry to change is
considered moderate. This change is likely to be mostly temporary, occurring mainly during
construction and decommissioning, with boat traffic decreasing during operation although still
above baseline levels due to any maintenance requirements. The magnitude of these effects
depend on the seasonal level of fishing activity occurring during the different phases of the
Draft Plan. Exposure to change is therefore considered low to moderate resulting in an
insignificant to moderate adverse impact.
7.2.2.5 Potential positive effects
The Draft Plan may provide an opportunity for the local fishing industry to utilise their vessels in
the conveyance of persons and equipment during construction and decommissioning phases
and in the maintenance of devices during their operational life. There are also the potential
positive effects associated with the introduction of tidal turbines, mooring equipment and
offshore substation infrastructure on fish and shellfish species are described in the Fish and
Shellfish (Section 5.3.2.9). Overall sensitivity to change is considered low to moderate and
exposure to change is low resulting in the potential for an insignificant to minor beneficial
impact.
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