SPA Ornithology Appropriate Assessment

Description

The Marine Institute has been tasked by its parent department, The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to engage in a work programme as follows: Prepare reports in support of the assessment of the impacts aquaculture (appropriate assessment) activities on the conservation features of nine (9) Special Protections Areas in five (5) lots. For each lot chosen the following should be carried out: - Identify, source and review bird data from the site(s) that is currently available and is considered relevant to the assessment of the impact aquaculture activities in Natura 2000 sites. - Review relevant scientific literature on interactions between birds and aquaculture activities - Where appropriate, and as required, to use these datasets to prepare assessments of the impact of aquaculture activity with respect to impact on the relevant bird species for consideration by relevant licensing authorities - A document addressing the broad categories to be considered in an AA, including: 1. Introduction – including methodological approach 2. Conservation features - Description of Conservation Objectives of the site in question and adjacent Natura 2000 sites (SPAs) 3. Screening – of SPA in question and adjacent SPAs. 4. Status and habitats and distribution of the SCI species 5. Description of aquaculture activities 6. Potential impacts of aquaculture activities on conservation features 7. Assessment of impacts on the SCI species of the SPA 8. Assessment of cumulative impacts 9. Conclusions and recommendations (including identification of management and/or mitigation measures) In order to carry out the work programme, the Marine Institute requires outsourced ornithological expertise in order to provide specialist advice to the Institute to support the appropriate assessment of aquaculture activities.