BIRD USAGE OF THE OFFSHORE CORRIB PIPELINE ROUTE, AN UPDATE.

Transcription

1 Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services (EACS) BIRD USAGE OF THE OFFSHORE CORRIB PIPELINE ROUTE, AN UPDATE. Prepared for: EACS Bryn Church Lane Greystones Co. Wicklow Ireland Prepared by: Fehily Timoney & Company Core House Pouladuff Road Cork April 2008

2 BIRD USAGE OF THE OFFSHORE CORRIB PIPELINE ROUTE, AN UPDATE. User is Responsible for Checking the Revision Status of This Document Rev. Description of Changes Prepared By: Checked By: Approved By: Date: Nr. 0 Issue to Client DR GF 04/04/08 Client: Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services (EACS) Keywords: Bird Study, Offshore Corrib Pipeline Route, updated data, ¼ ICES squares. Abstract: This report assesses bird usage along the offshore portion of the Corrib Pipeline from Broadhaven Bay to the Corrib gas field. It updates a number of sections in the original Offshore EIS and should be read in conjunction with this report. It summarises new seabird data published since the original EIS in 2001 and presents more detailed information on previously published reports.

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 7.1. INTRODUCTION STUDY METHODS RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMET POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON THE LOCAL BIRD COMMUNITY DO NOTHING SCENARIO MITIGATION MEASURES PREDICTED IMPACTS REFERENCES...14 LIST OF TABLES Presence/absence of seabird species in the four ¼ ICES squares crossed by the pipeline route Seabird 2000 (Mitchell et al., 2000) counts of breeding seabirds in County Mayo, Vulnerable concentrations of seabirds in the vicinity of the offshore pipeline Conservation status of seabirds recorded in the vicinity of the offshore pipeline LIST OF FIGURES Offshore pipeline with SPA s and ICES Statistical Rectangles 7.3 Locations of the main seabird breeding colonies in North West Mayo LIST OF APPENDICES 7.7 General representation of deep water and surface currents occurring in Ireland s Atlantic Margin Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 i/i April 2008(DR/LY)

4 7.1. INTRODUCTION Fehily Timoney & Company (FTC) was commissioned by Ecological Advisory and Consultancy Services (EACS) to carry out a desktop study of bird usage along the offshore portion of the Corrib pipeline, from Broadhaven Bay to the Corrib gas field. This desktop study details the bird community found along the offshore portion of the pipeline route using data from several reports and publications. The study incorporates data published since the previous offshore EIS in 2001 and also provides a new assessment of results from previously reviewed reports. This report is to be read in conjunction with the original EIS as the section numbers of this report follow those of the original EIS. The Corrib Field is located approximately 65 km west of County Mayo in c. 350 m water depth. The offshore portion of the pipeline route runs east from the Field until it reaches the entrance of Broadhaven Bay and then runs south east to the landfall at the mouth of Sruwaddacon bay. The aims of this study are to: describe bird usage along the offshore portion of the pipeline route using existing bird data from published reports, particularly focusing on newly published data provide a detailed breakdown of bird usage along the offshore pipeline route using established survey area units establish the importance of the area for breeding seabirds using recent breeding seabird counts from nearby breeding colonies assess the vulnerability of seabird populations in the vicinity of the offshore pipeline review the existing offshore EIS (seabird section) and identify any data which can be updated and any impact assessments or mitigation measures which are no longer valid in light of new published data. Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 1 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY)

5 7.2. STUDY METHODS Literature Review A review was conducted of bird data previously collected within the general area of the offshore pipeline. These data were taken from various sources including: Stone et al., An atlas of seabird distribution in north-west European waters. Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) Report. Webb et al., Vulnerable Concentrations of Seabirds south and west of Britain. JNCC Report. Pollock et al., The distribution of seabirds and cetaceans in the waters around Ireland. JNCC Report. Mitchell et al., Seabird Populations of Britain and Ireland. T. & D. Poyser, London. Mackey et al., Cetaceans and Seabirds of Ireland s Atlantic Margin. Volume 1. Coastal and Marine Resources Centre, University College Cork. The previous offshore EIS (2001) was reviewed and a thorough gap analysis was conducted. In particular, any additional information which has become available since the completion of the EIS was identified. Newly published data which were not incorporated into the original EIS includes breeding bird data from Mitchell et al. (2000) and distributional data from Mackey et al. (2004) (an interim report from this study was used in the original EIS). In addition, previously published reports from the JNCC (Webb et al., 1995, and Stone et al., 1995) were not incorporated into the original EIS report and are covered here. In the previous EIS, the offshore section of the route was dealt with as a whole and no detailed breakdowns of bird usage along different sections of this offshore route were given. Existing reports for the area give bird data at a scale of ¼ International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) area units, each measuring 0.5 degrees latitude x 1 degree longitude. These area blocks are the units of coverage used by the JNCC and other international research groups as a standard means of displaying survey effort and seabird density. This facilitates the comparison of international research results. Therefore it was considered appropriate to present bird data at this scale for this report. Figure shows that the Corrib pipeline route crosses four of these ¼ ICES squares, labelled as follows: 37E0 Broadhaven Bay, 37D9E (east) 37D9W (west) 37D8 the Corrib Field The importance of the area for breeding seabirds was also assessed using the most recent seabird breeding atlas (Mitchell et al., 2000). Important breeding colonies in the vicinity of the route were identified and displayed on a map (Figure 7.3). Lastly, the vulnerability of seabirds utilising the area was presented using assessments carried out by Webb et al. (1995). Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 2 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY)

6 Conservation Evaluation The conservation status of birds in Ireland has recently been reviewed (Lynas et al., 2007) and several changes have been made to the list of Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland (BoCCI list). The results are discussed in light of these changes in status Limitations in this Current Study Survey coverage of seabird distribution in the waters off County Mayo is very low and restricted to only three known data sources (Stone et al., 1995; Pollock et al. 1997; and Mackey et al., 2004). Effort was not consistent across ICES squares or across the seasons in these reports. Surveys were not carried out in spring (April-June) and autumn (Oct-Dec) by Mackey et al. (2004) with only inshore 1/4 ICES squares surveyed in winter (37E0 and 37D9E) and only offshore squares surveyed in summer (37D9E, 37D9W and 37D8). Data were only available for August, October and December in Stone et al. s 1995 study and ICES ¼ square 37D8 was not surveyed. Survey effort was low in January, February and March in Pollock s 1997 report and offshore ¼ ICES squares (37D8 and 37D9W) were only surveyed in two or three months of the year respectively. The desktop review involved examining multiple studies that were previously conducted within the general area of the offshore pipeline. These studies involved different observers, tidal cycles, survey effort and times of the year. Therefore unknown biases are likely to have been encountered in the assessment of these studies. Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 3 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY)

7 Figure Offshore pipeline with SPA s and ICES Statistical Rectangles Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 4 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY)

8 7.3. RECEIVING ENVIRONMENT Offshore Seabirds The coastal and offshore waters of Ireland are essential feeding grounds for many seabirds, including non-breeders and passage migrants, throughout the year. A total of 52 species of seabirds have been recorded both on and off the Irish shelf (Pollock et al., 1997; Mackey et al., 2004). Seabirds are present throughout the year off the Irish west coast and there are strong temporal trends, not only in densities, but also in species present. Table shows that 23 species have been recorded in the ¼ ICES squares crossed by the pipeline or in adjacent ¼ ICES squares by previous studies (Stone et al., 1995; Pollock, et al., 1997; and Mackey et al., 2004). Species which were present for most of the year round included Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis), Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) and European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis). The former two species, as well as Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) were recorded in all four ¼ ICES squares. Seasonal migrants included Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) and passage migrants include Great, Cory's and Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus gravis, Calonectris diomedea and P. griseus), Great, Arctic and Pomarine Skuas (Catharacta skua and Stercorarius pomarinus). Most of these species are summer migrants, occurring in higher abundance between July and August, however some species such as Great- Northern Diver (Gavia immer) occur mainly in winter. Two species which were not recorded in the original EIS are recorded here. These are Sabine's Gull (Larus sabini) and Herring Gull (Larus argentatus), which occur mainly in late summer and autumn in the study area (Mackey et al., 2004). Other notable species recorded in ¼ ICES squares adjacent to the study area are Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus), Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra), Wilson's Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) and Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius). The latter three species were not recorded in the original EIS. It is likely that other migrant species, e.g., Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) and Leach's Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) also occur in the area occasionally. Mackey et al. (2004) mapped the total number of species recorded in the four ¼ ICES squares in the period July 1999-September This revealed that species richness in the two more inshore squares (37E0 & 37D9E) was low (1-4 species) and increased to moderate (5-9 species) in square 37D9W and 10+ species in the outermost square (37D8). The total relative abundance of bird species in the ¼ ICES squares was also calculated and was shown to be low (0.01-1bird/km) in all squares apart from square 37D9W (2-5 birds/km) (Mackey et al., 2004). Overall, using results from all studies, species richness varied between 5 and 12 species and was highest in square 37D9E (Table 7.3.1). A total of 19 seabird species breed on the coasts and islands of County Mayo (Mitchell et al., 2000). Figure 7.3 shows the location of the major seabird breeding colonies in the vicinity of the offshore pipeline. The nearest seabird breeding colony (Danish Cellar) is located approximately 3 km from the offshore pipeline route in Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 5 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY)

9 Broadhaven Bay. A variety of cliff-nesting species breed here, including Northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) and European Shag. Other seabird colonies which occur within Broadhaven Bay include Inishderry Island, where Sandwich, Common and Arctic Terns (Sterna sandvicensis, S. hirundo and S. paradisaea) are known to breed (NPWS). This Island, which is located over 7km from the pipeline route, was not surveyed during the most recent seabird colony survey however (Seabird, 2000, Mitchell et al., 2004). Although known to breed in very small numbers in Sruwaddacon Bay in 1995, it is thought that Little Terns (Sterna albifrons), in northwest Mayo breed almost entirely on the Inishkea and Inishglora Islands (S. Newton pers. comm.). The most important breeding colonies in the area are located west of the Mullet peninsula and on the Stags of Broadhaven, north of Benwee Head, all of which are located over 10 km from the pipeline route (Figure 7.3). Internationally important numbers of European storm petrels breed on these islands (e.g. Illaunmaster, Inishglora and Inishkeeragh islands as well as on the Stags of Broadhaven) and the only known Irish breeding colony of Leach s storm petrel is located on the Stags of Broadhaven. The Duvillaun Islands hold nationally important populations of breeding Great Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo). The availability of suitable breeding habitat on Kid Island would indicate that the Manx Shearwater is likely to breed here (S. Newton pers. comm.), however surveys for this species have not been carried out here (Mitchell et al., 2000). All seabirds are susceptible to oil contamination, however not all species are considered to be at the same level of risk. For example species groups such as auks (e.g. Common Guillemot and Razorbill) and divers which spend much of their time on the sea surface are at much greater risk than those which are aerial foragers. Tasker et al. (1990) rated the vulnerability of seabird species to oil pollution according to the amount of time spent on the water, the importance of the population within the area (west of Britain) and the size of the world population of the species. These rankings were used to produce maps of vulnerable concentrations of seabirds south and west of Britain (Webb et al., 1995, see below). Although Corrib is a gas field, liquid hydrocarbon inventories, such as diesel oil, will be used to power machinery on the drilling rig and supply and support vessels. There is, therefore a low risk of a small oil spill. Data from off-shore, ship-based and aerial surveys from the European Seabirds at Sea database, managed by the JNCC s Seabirds and Cetaceans Branch was used by Webb et al. (1995) to produce maps of vulnerable concentrations of birds south and west of Britain (including the Mayo region). Four bird groupings were defined for these maps -: 1) Auks, 2) Shorebirds (waders & wildfowl, except seaducks), 3) Seaduck and Divers and 4) Other Seabirds (excluding auks). Table summarises the details of vulnerable concentrations of birds in the vicinity of the offshore pipeline route in each month of the year. The area with highest concentrations of vulnerable seabirds and shorebirds occurs south of the pipeline route around the Mullet Peninsula/Blacksod Bay. During February, October and December, vulnerable concentrations of shorebirds occur on the pipeline route, while in February and August vulnerable concentrations of seabirds, particularly auks occur on more offshore sections of the pipeline (Table 7.3.3). In general the areas of high seabird vulnerability lie south of the pipeline route and no highly vulnerable concentrations occur along the pipeline route itself. Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 6 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY)

10 Conservation Evaluation A total of six seabird species are listed on Annex I of the E.U. Birds Directive and are also Amber-listed as birds of medium conservation concern in Ireland (Lynas et al., 2007). A further 13 species are of medium conservation concern in Ireland. Two species are Red-listed as birds of High conservation concern in Ireland (Newton et al., 1999; Lynas et al., 2007). All other species are Green-listed and are not of conservation concern in Ireland. Changes in conservation status of four seabird species in the study area have occurred since the completion of the original EIS in Herring Gull and Sooty Shearwater were previously of medium conservation concern (amber-listed) but are now of high conservation concern (red-listed), while the European Shag and Great Skua were previously green listed and are now on the amber list as being of medium conservation concern (Newton et al., 1999; Lynas et al., 2007). These species typically occurred in low numbers in the study area however Sooty Shearwaters have been observed in large numbers (several hundreds) passing south of the Mullet peninsula in the past (O. Merne, pers. comm.). Although not recorded in previously published reports Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) is likely to occur off north-west Mayo during spring and autumn migrations between Ireland and Iceland (O. Merne, pers. comm.). This red-listed species bred on Inishderry and on Carrowmore Lake islands between 1989 and 1991 (O. Merne, pers. comm; Mitchel et al., 2004). Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 7 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY)

11 Table 7.3.1: Presence/absence of seabird species in the four ¼ ICES squares crossed by the pipeline route. The months in which highest numbers were recorded and the sources of information are also shown. Species which were not recorded in the study squares but which occurred in adjacent ¼ ICES squares are also shown. Period of Species Name Scientific Name 37E0 37D9E 37D9W 37D8 Adjacent Squares highest abundance Data source Great-northern Diver Gavia immer X Oct-Aug P Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis X X X X Feb-Oct M,P Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea X Jul-Aug P Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis X X X Jul-Nov M,S Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus X Jul-Sept M Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus X X X Jul-Sept M,P European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus X X Jul-Sept M,P Wilson's Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus X Jul-Sept M Northern Gannet Morus bassanus X X X X All year M,P,S European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis X All year P Common Scoter Melanitta nigra X Apr-Sept P Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius X Jul-Oct P Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus X Aug-Feb P,S Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus X Jul-Oct P,S Great Skua Stercorarius skua X X Jul-Oct M,P Herring Gull Larus argentatus X Aug-Oct P Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus X X X Feb-Sept M,P Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus X X Jul-Sept P,S Sabine s Gull Larus sabini X Sept - Oct M Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla X X Apr-Oct P,S,M Common Guillemot Uria aalge X X Aug-Feb P,S Razorbill Alca torda X Sept-Jan P,S Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica X X X X Jun-Sept P,S *P = Pollock et al S = Stone et al M = Mackey et al Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 8 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY)

12 Table Seabird 2000 (Mitchell et al., 2000) counts of breeding seabirds in County Mayo, including all colonies in the vicinity of the offshore pipeline. Common Name Scientific Name Number of pairs Number of Individuals Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis Manx Shearwater* Puffinus puffinus N/A N/A European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 8625 Leach's Storm Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa 310 Common Gull Larus canus 210 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 237 Herring Gull Larus argentatus 369 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 652 Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla 4258 Sandwich Tern Srerna sandvicensis 151 Common Tern Sterna hirundo 118 Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 585 Little Tern Sterna albifrons 28 Common Guillemot Uria aalge 3830 Razorbill Alca torda 705 Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle 376 Atlantic Pufffin Fratercula arctica 5053 * Suspected on Kid Island (S. Newton pers. comm.). Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 9 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY)

13 Table Vulnerable concentrations of birds in the vicinity of the offshore pipeline. Data source: Webb et al., Month Type of bird in concentration Vulnerability category Area of vulnerability January Shorebirds Medium-low Blacksod Bay, localised area, south of pipeline February Shorebirds/other seabirds Medium-high Extensive area of seabirds further offshore, on pipeline March Shorebirds Medium-high Localised area around Blacksod Bay, south of pipeline April Shorebirds Medium-high Very localised area in Blacksod bay, south of pipeline May n/a n/a n/a June n/a n/a n/a July Other seabirds High Localised area in Blacksod Bay/Mullet Peninsula, south of pipeline August Other seabirds/auks High/medium-high Auks (med-high) extensive area, on pipeline, high vulnerability Mullet area September n/a n/a n/a October Shorebirds Medium-low Extensive area around pipeline November Shorebirds Medium-high Very localised area in Blacksod Bay south of pipeline December Shorebirds Medium-high Medium size area on pipeline The bird groupings used by Webb et al., 1995 are as follows: 1) Auks, 2) Shorebirds (all waders & wildfowl, except seaducks), 3) Seaduck and Divers (vulnerable concentrations of these species did not occur in this study area) and 4) Other Seabirds (excluding auks). Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 10 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY)

14 Table 7.3.4: Conservation status of seabirds recorded in the vicinity of the offshore pipeline Conservation Status Species Name Scientific Name (Lynas et al., 2007) Great-northern Diver Gavia immer Annex I Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis Green List Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea Amber List Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis Green List Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus Red List Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus Amber List European Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus Annex I, Amber List Wilson's Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus Green List Leach's Storm Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa Annex I, Amber List Northern Gannet Morus bassanus Amber List Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Amber List European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis Amber List Common Scoter Melanitta nigra Green List Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius Green List Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus Green List Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus Green List Great Skua Stercorarius skua Amber List Common Gull Larus canus Amber List Herring Gull Larus argentatus Red List Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Amber List Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus Amber List Sabine s Gull Larus sabini Green List Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla Amber List Little Tern Sterna albifrons Annex I, Amber List Sandwich Tern Srerna sandvicensis Annex I, Amber List Common Tern Sterna hirundo Annex I, Amber List Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea Annex I, Amber List Common Guillemot Uria aalge Amber List Razorbill Alca torda Amber List Atlantic Pufffin Fratercula arctica Amber List Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle Amber List Red List = Birds of high conservation concern on the BoCCI list (Lynas et al. In Press) Amber List = Birds of medium conservation concern on the BoCCI list Annex I = Annex I species of the EU Birds Directive Green List = Birds not of conservation concern in Ireland Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 11 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY) EPA Export :23:29:27

15 Locations of the main seabird breeding colonies in North West Mayo Co ns en to f c Fo op r i yr ns ig pe ht ct ow ion ne pu r r rp eq os ui es re o d nl fo y. ra ny ot he ru se. Figure 7.3 Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 12 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY) EPA Export :23:29:27

16 7.4. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT 7.5. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON THE LOCAL BIRD COMMUNITY Potential Offshore Impacts of the Proposed Development The offshore pipeline is located approximately 3km from the nearest major seabird breeding colony and is therefore highly unlikely to impact on local breeding seabirds. The increased turbidity of the water column surrounding the pipeline construction works may lead to unfavourable foraging conditions for diving piscivorous (fish-eating) seabirds such as auks. However these species are highly mobile and travel large distances to feed so are unlikely to be impacted by this temporary disturbance. In addition, the high dilution available in the sea reduces any impacts to a negligible level. The largest potential impacts to seabirds from the offshore section of the pipeline is from the accidental release of hydrocarbons, e.g. diesel used to power machinery and support vessels during construction works. Even slight exposure to oil can be fatal to seabirds due to fouling of feathers and pathological effects of oil ingestion (Briggs et al., 1997). Vulnerable concentrations of seabirds (particularly auks such as guillemots and puffin) occur on the pipeline route in August and the accidental release of toxic substances at this time of year may potentially impact upon these species. However the relatively small volume of hydrocarbons and high levels of dilution available in the sea would indicate that these impacts would be small. It is important to note that, although published offshore reports show seabird abundance in the study area to be generally low, transient flocks of migrating or foraging birds can occur from time to time. These events are often unpredictable and may reflect variations in prey availability due to oceanographic conditions. It is also possible that changes in seabird distribution have occurred (possibly in response to known changes in sea surface temperatures, Houghton et al., 2001) since the publication of several of the desktop sources used in this study. Appendix 7.7. shows the proximity of the study area to the Irish Shelf Front - an area of known high productivity. Periodic changes in current regimes associated with this front result in upwellings of highly productive Atlantic Shelf Water which promotes dense concentrations of phytoplankton (Raine et al., 1990 & 2002) and provides rich foraging grounds for seabirds. Land-based observations from prominent headlands and islands on the Irish west coast (e.g. The Mullet, Tory Island, Malin Head), have recorded very large numbers of seabirds (sometimes 10,000 per hour) passing close inshore (<5 km). Any pollution events at the time of such large-scale seabird movements could have a serious adverse impact DO NOTHING SCENARIO 7.7. MITIGATION MEASURES 7.8. PREDICTED IMPACTS All as in original offshore EIS. Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 13 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY) EPA Export :23:29:27

17 7.9. REFERENCES Briggs, K.T., Gershwin, M.E. & Anderson, D.W Consequences of petrochemical ingestion and stress on the immune system of seabirds. ICES Journal of Marine Science 54, Houghton, J.T., Ding, Y., Griggs, D.J., Noguer, M., Vander Linden, P.J., Dal, X., Maskell, K. & Johnson, C.A., (eds) Climate change 2001: The scientific basis. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Lynas P., Newton S.F. and Robinson J.A The Status of Birds in Ireland: An Analysis of conservation Concern Irish Birds, 8: Mackey, M., O'Cadhla, O., Kelly, T.C., Aguiler de Soto, N. & Connolly, N Cetaceans and Seabirds of Ireland's Atlantic Margin. Volume 1 - Seabird distribution, density and abundance. Report on research carried out under the Irish Infrastructure Programme (PIP): Rockall Studies Group (RSG) projects 98/6 and 00/13, Porcupine Studies Group project P00/15 and Offshore Support Group (OSG) project 99/38, Cork. pp 95. Mitchell, P.I., Newton, S.F., Ratcliffe, N. and Dunn, T.E Seabird Populations of Britain and Ireland. T. & D. Poyser, London. Newton S., Donaghy A., Allen D. & Gibbons D Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland. Irish Birds, 6: Pollock, C., Reid, J., Webb, A. & Tasker, M The distribution of seabirds and cetaceans in the waters around Ireland. JNCC Report, No. 267, Peterborough. pp 167. Raine, R., O`Mahony, J., McMahon, T. & Roden, C Hydrography and Phytoplankton of waters off Southwest Ireland. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 30, Raine, R., White, M. & Dodge, J.D The summer distribution of net plankton dinoflagellates and their relation to water movements in the NE Atlantic Ocean, west of Ireland. Journal of Plankton Research 24, Stone, C.J., Webb, C., Barton, C., Ratcliffe, N., Reed, T.C., Tasker, M.L., Camphuysen, C.J. & Pienkowski, M.W An atlas of seabird distribution in northwest European waters. JNCC, Peterborough. pp 326. Tasker, M. L., Webb, A., Harrison, N. M. and Pienkowski, M. W Vulnerable concentrations of marine birds west of Britain. Nature Conservancy Council. Peterborough. Pp45. Webb, A., Harrison, N.M., Leaper, G.M., Steele, R.D., Tasker, M.L. & Pienkowski, M.W Seabird distribution west of Britain. Nature Conservancy Council, Peterborough. Webb, A., Stronach, A., Tasker, M.L. & Stone, C.J Vulnerable Concentrations of Seabirds south and West of Britain. Joint nature Conservation Committee Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 14 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY) EPA Export :23:29:27

18 APPENDIX 7.7 Deep current Surface current Frontal system General representation of deep water and surface currents occurring in Ireland s Atlantic Margin, including well-known frontal systems operating in the region. (Adapted by Mackey et al., 2004 from Pollock et al., 1997; Vermeulan, 1997 & Boelens et al., 1999). Q:/2007/CE07/548/01/Rpt001-0 Page 15 of 15 April 2008 (DR/LY) EPA Export :23:29:27