Environment Report 2014

6.2 Collaborative Work Oil & Gas UK has facilitated several collaborative and multi-stakeholder studies in 2014 to continue the work to improve our knowledge of the marine environment. Conducting work in a collaborative manner has twin benefits of reducing the overall cost of the work and allowing for wider industry and stakeholder input and review of the project outcomes. These studies include: 6.2.1 Seabirds at Sea Data In April 2013, Oil & Gas UK commissioned a study to address concerns raised by stakeholders on the suitability of existing seabird data to support environmental impact assessments. This fulfilled a recommendation from the now disbanded Oil Spill Prevention and Response Advisory Group (OSPRAG) in 2011. The study was divided into three tasks: 1. Review of the existing European Seabirds At Sea (ESAS) data 26 to identify potential offshore areas for undertaking seabird surveys 2. Design and undertake an offshore seabird survey capable of meeting the project objectives 3. Identify whether any differences in the observed species composition, distribution and abundance between the two datasets are significant for identifying the potential impacts of the offshore oil and gas industry In July and August 2013, boat and aerial surveys were completed for a total of 27 days and covering 1,868 kilometres in the area between 56 and 57 degrees north off the coast of Aberdeenshire. The study focused on six key seabird species: Fulmars, Gannets, Gulliemots, Kittiwakes, Puffins and Razorbills. The analysis and comparison with the existing ESAS data was completed in April 2014. The study found that there were possible changes to the seabird population in the area. To fully understand the implications, further work is being planned for 2015. Industry has recommended that the ESAS data should continue to be used with accompanying seabird sensitivity maps for oil spill planning purposes and impact assessments considered to be the currently best available data.

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Figure 28: Survey Effort July (left) and August (Right) 2013, Seabirds at Sea Data Collection

26 The European Seabirds At Sea (ESAS) data are available to view at http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-4469

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