News archive
25-01-2010

First of Dogger Bank surveys now underway

Forewind has started its extensive data gathering process on Dogger Bank with the award of a contract to Gardline Environmental Limited, part of Gardline Marine Sciences Limited, to provide ornithological surveys services to the project.

The two-year contract includes the provision of European Seabirds At Sea (ESAS) trained seabird surveyors as well as the dedicated 24-month charter of the 65 metre MV Sea Profiler, one of the Gardline Group’s fleet of 18 survey vessels.

At 8660 square kilometres, the Dogger Bank zone is not only the largest of the new sites; it is also the farthest from shore (between 125 and 290 kilometres) and presents a number of significant technical challenges.

Marine wildlife surveys are a key initial requirement before further consent licenses will be awarded.

Head of Development, Gareth Lewis said that this contract is a major first step for the consortium in its undertaking to carry out detailed studies of the Dogger Bank site and assess the full range of possible impacts the wind farm could have on wildlife (birds and sea mammals), sea habitat and users of the sea, such as fishermen.

“This is the beginning of a comprehensive and long-term process,” he added.