ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT BARDOLINO DEVELOPMENT

Bardolino Development Environmental Statement
Table 4.21 Summary of seasonal environmental sensitivities for the proposed
Bardolino development area [Months in yellow indicate the proposed development
schedule]
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Habitats Directive: Annex I Habitats
There are no known Annex I Habitats in the vicinity of the proposed development area. The site lies outside the gas
seep are and no pockmarks were identified during surveys at the proposed rig site and pipeline route.
Currently, the closest possible SAC to the area is the Scanner Pockmark which is approximately 67 km from the
Bardolino development.
Habitats Directive: Annex II Species
The harbour porpoise is the only Annex II species to be sighted within the vicinity of the proposed development area.
Sightings have been recorded in proposed development area during June and July, although they may be present in
the area throughout the year.
Harbour porpoises, as are most marine mammals, are potentially vulnerable to noise, contaminants, oil spills and
any effects on prey availability associated with the proposed development. The UK currently has no proposed SACs
for harbour porpoises.
Plankton
Plankton is vulnerable to oil and chemical discharges. Planktonic organisms constitute a major food resource for
many commercial fish species, benthic species and marine mammals, so any changes in their abundance,
distribution and composition are important. There is also the possible bioaccumulation of pollutants ingested by
plankton. Plankton is widely distributed over the North Sea and peak plankton productivity generally occurs in spring
and summer.
Benthic fauna
Benthic fauna are vulnerable to disturbance of the seabed sediments which form their habitats, for example during
the installation of pipelines and subsea structures, anchoring of the rig and vessels, and the discharge of cuttings.
The effects of discharged cuttings on benthic fauna include physical smothering, the presence of potential toxins
(heavy metals and hydrocarbons), and organic enrichment. Benthic fauna are an important food resource to
demersal fish and shellfish. Benthic communities in the development area are similar to those found throughout the
surrounding area of the central North Sea and no rare species are known to occur in this area.
Finfish and Shellfish Populations
Finfish and shellfish are vulnerable to pollution, such as oil and chemical discharges, the impact of drill cuttings, and
the potential effects of seismic surveys, especially during the egg, larval and juvenile stages of their lifecycle.
Demersal spawning species and fish/shellfish that live in close association with seabed sediments are particularly
vulnerable to any sediment disruption, for example during the installation of subsea structures, anchoring of the rig
and vessels, and discharge of cuttings.
The proposed development area lies within spawning grounds for mackerel (May to Aug), lemon sole (Apr to Sept),
Norway pout (Jan to Apr) and Nephrops (Jan to Dec, peak period is between Apr and Jun) and coincides with
nursery grounds for haddock, Norway pout, blue whiting and Nephrops. Fish species present in the proposed
development area are generally distributed throughout the North Sea.
Page 4-40 April 2008