ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT BARDOLINO DEVELOPMENT

Bardolino Development Environmental Statement
The centre of distribution of lemon sole is in the coastal waters off northern Scotland and the
Orkney and Shetland Islands, but they are also found off the eastern coast of England and
throughout the central and northern North Sea. There do not appear to be seasonal
differences in distribution, and the species as a whole probably does not undertake extensive
migrations (CEFAS, 2001b). Little is known about the spawning habits of lemon sole and it is
thought to spawn everywhere it is found (Figure 4.8). Off the Scottish east coast the
spawning season extends from April to September (CEFAS, 2001b).
Figure 4.8 Spawning areas for lemon sole, mackerel, Nephrops, and Norway pout in
the vicinity of the Bardolino development
Source: Coull et al. (1998)
Norway pout are generally found in waters 80 m to 200 m deep with sandy and muddy
substrates, but they also occur in waters up to 450 m deep in the Norwegian Deep.
Spawning usually takes place between January and April on the continental shelf, with the
period of most intense activity during February and March. In deeper parts of the northern
North Sea spawning occurs slightly later, between March and May, and may extend into early
summer. The precise location of spawning areas is not well understood, but most spawning
activity appears to be restricted to waters within the depth range of 50 to 200 m (Figure 4.8).
Norway pout are not generally considered to have specific nursery grounds, but pelagic 0group
fish remain widely dispersed in the northern North Sea close to spawning grounds
(CEFAS, 2001b).
Page 4-26 April 2008