TRITON KNOLL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Limited Recreational Fishing Baseline Report
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RWE Innogy UK | Triton Knoll Electrical System, Onshore Crossing Schedule
Triton Knoll Offshore Wind
Farm Limited
TRITON KNOLL ELECTRICAL
SYSTEM
Recreational Fishing Baseline Report
April 2015
Document Reference 6.2.5.3.2
Pursuant to: APFP Reg. 5(2)(a)
1
RWE Innogy UK | Triton Knoll Electrical System, Recreational Fishing Baseline
Triton Knoll Electrical System Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Limited
Copyright © 2015 RWE Innogy UK Ltd
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Application Document 6.2.5.3.2 Liability
Recreational Fishing Baseline
In preparation of this document Triton Knoll
Offshore Wind Farm Limited (TKOWFL), a joint
April 2015
venture between RWE Innogy UK (RWE) and
Statkraft UK, subconsultants working on behalf of
TKOWFL, have made reasonable efforts to ensure
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Date of April 2015 Neither TKOWFL nor their subcontractors make any
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Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm Limited have been
awarded EU TEN-E funding to support the
development of the Triton Knoll Offshore Wind
Farm Electrical System located in both UK
Territorial waters and the UK’s Exclusive Economic
Zone.
The funding which is to be matched will support a
number of surveys, engineering reports, and
environmental impact assessment studies for the
Triton Knoll Electrical System. The studies will form
part of the formal documentation that will
accompany the Development Consent Order which
will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. The
sum of €1,159,559 has been granted and the
process to reclaim this funding is ongoing.
Client: RWE npower Recreational Fisheries Technical Report Date: 21st July 2014 Report ref: PMSL/TKOWF-RF/07-14/23-FD Company Reg No. 2524776 VAT Reg No. 859 6462 70
Recreational Fisheries Technical Report Client Name: RWE npower Date: 21st July 2014 Report ref: PMSL/TKOWF-RF/07-14/23-FD Precision Marine Survey Ltd Tel: +44 (0) 1964 624423 Church Farm, Main Road Fax: +44 (0) 1964 623352 Thorngumbald Email: info@precisionmarine.co.uk Hull, East Yorkshire Web: www.precisionmarine.co.uk HU12 9NE © Precision Marine Survey Ltd Company Registration No. 2524776 VAT REG No. 859 6462 70
Recreational Fisheries Technical Report
RWE Innogy
Recreational Fisheries Technical Report
Contents
Page
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 4
2. Recreational Sea Fishing ................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Recreational Sea Angling in the Study Area ............................................................ 5
2.2 Local Clubs and Competitions ............................................................................... 12
2.3 Other Recreational Sea Angling Associated Activities ........................................... 13
2.4 Other Recreational Activities ................................................................................. 14
3. References .................................................................................................................... 16
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1. Introduction
1.1.1 This report presents an overview of the recreational sea fishing of relevance to the
Triton Knoll Electrical System. This activity is an importance social and economic
activity that may interact with the development of renewable energy at the Triton
Knoll offshore wind farm, particularly in respect to the electrical system. This report
outlines the type and nature of recreational sea angling activity carried out in the
area of the development, both inshore and offshore. In addition, key target species
are identified along with optimal fishing periods and locations.
1.1.2 The Drew study (DEFRA, 2004) identified that 5.02% of the population participate in
leisure fishing, whilst Defra (2013) estimated there to be 884,000 sea anglers in
England with 2% of all adults participating in sea angling. Recreational rod and line
fishing along the coast and within estuaries can be of significant value to coastal
communities, producing large scale socio-economic benefits. The Sea Angling 2012
study carried out by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
(CEFAS) in conjunction with the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), and on
behalf of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), estimated
that the direct annual value of the recreational sea angling (RSA) sector in 2012 was
approximately £831million. The study also found that the RSA sector supported
10,400 full-time equivalent jobs and when indirect and induced effects were taken
into account, sea angling activity produced £2.1billion of total spending and to
varying degrees supported over 23,600 jobs (Armstrong et al, 2013).
1.1.3 Not only does recreational sea angling provide employment within many
communities, this activity also instils an outdoor, relaxing, healthy and active lifestyle
that offers social and well-being benefits. Armstrong et al (2013) states that “anglers
felt that improving fish stocks was the most important factor that would increase
participation in sea angling”.
1.1.4 Pitcher and Hollingsworth (2002) described recreational anglers as individuals who
fish for sport and leisure, whilst if applicable catching for personal consumption.
There are very few limitations and or restrictions on RSA, although anglers must
comply with minimum landing sizes (MLS), abide by fishing restraints in nursery
areas and other locally enforced byelaws implemented by national and EU
regulations. There are no requirements to purchase a licence to fish for Seafish
within the marine environment and the tidal boundaries of transitional waters,
which is a legal requirement in many other European countries. However, a rod
licence is a legal requirement for fishing in freshwaters i.e. rivers, canals and lakes
and which must be purchased from the Environment Agency, any angler wishing to
fish for Salmonid species e.g. salmon Salmo salar and sea trout Salmo trutta in the
sea, must apply to the Environment Agency for a salmon licence, however, there is
little or no targeted activity for salmonids in the local study area.
1.1.5 There are two principal forms of recreational fishing activity;
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Unlicensed commercial/recreational activity, which may consist of gill netting,
potting, long lining and seine netting, the latter being mainly carried out from the
beach. Recreational shell fishermen are restricted to fishing a maximum of 10 pots
per day, in which no more than 10 crabs and 2 lobsters may be landed, whilst
recreational fishermen engaged in fin-fishing activity are restricted to 100 metres of
gill net.
Recreational sea angling, which consists of traditional rod and line fishing from either
the shore or boat based activity. The majority of recreational activity occurs inshore
and within the 6 mile limit, however it is recognised that recreational anglers using
privately owned vessels are likely to also fish within the Humber Estuary and the
Humber Approaches, particularly during the winter.
2. Recreational Sea Fishing
2.1.1 Consultation undertaken with commercial and recreational fishermen indicates that
there are negligible levels of unlicensed commercial/recreational fishing activity
along the Lincolnshire coast. This unlicensed activity does not cover fishing using a
rod and line, but encompasses fishing using nets, pots, hooks and other commercial
fishing gears from a vessel that does not hold a commercial fishing licence or permit.
The following section concentrates on the extent and nature of RSA in the local study
area, which is defined by the ICES rectangle 35FO and sub-rectangles 03, 06 & 09 of
ICES rectangle 36F0 (Figure 1).
2.2 Recreational Sea Angling in the Study Area
2.2.1 Recreational sea angling using a rod and line can be separated into two distinct
forms, shore fishing and boat fishing with levels of activity dependent on the
seasonality and availability of target species.
Shore Based Sea Angling
2.2.2 Shore fishing throughout the regional study area occurs principally from beaches,
although some activity may take place on piers, harbour walls and the river bank i.e.
the Greater Ouse and Humber estuary. The majority of participants engaged in RSA
from the shore, are adults with a wide range of experience, from novices to highly
experienced international anglers. The composition of anglers also includes youth
and junior anglers, as well as the disabled, whilst in coastal towns and areas of high
tourist attraction (Skegness, Wells Next the Sea & Withernsea,) day visitors may
engage in sea angling activity from local beaches as well as harbour walls and river
banks.
2.2.3 Experienced shore anglers tend to fish the most suitable tides rather than fishing at
any tidal state for the ‘fun’ of fishing, this is related to tidal strength and availability
of deep water, with anglers preferring to fish over high tides as opposed to low tides
where the water depth may be a limiting factor. This is always a particular issue
when fishing from a river bank or a manmade structure such as a pier or breakwater.
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There are always venues where the highly experienced angler can still fish over low
water, and indeed some locations are specifically low water venues.
2.2.4 The general sea angler is more likely to fish on a weekend and will try to catch any
fish in the area, as opposed to specimen anglers who target specific species with the
aim to catch the largest specimen available. It is not however, uncommon for
anglers to be seen on beaches during the week, either at night or working around
the optimal tides during the daylight hours. Recreational shore angling occurs
predominantly around Mablethorpe and Sutton-on-Sea south down to Chapel St
Leonards, with important shore angling locations identified at Mablethorpe,
Bohemia Point at Sutton-on-Sea, Moggs Eye at Huttoft Beach, Anderby Creek, Chapel
Point and Chapel St Leonards (Figure 1). Whilst Anderby Creek has been identified
by some stakeholders as a moderately good location for shore angling, it is accepted
that as a result of its shallow nature, other anglers may not consider it to be a key
shore angling location.
2.2.5 There are also a number of popular key angling locations further north at
Humberston Creek, which is located south of Cleethorpes, the Cleethorpes
Promenade as well as a number of important angling sites on the south bank of the
Humber Estuary including East Halton. It should be noted, that there are numerous
locations for shore anglers on the banks of the Humber Estuary, which provide
opportunities for elderly and juvenile anglers as well as disabled access.
2.2.6 In addition, many shore anglers also fish further south at various locations such as
Gibraltar Point, Skegness beach, Skegness Pier, and also areas along the North
Norfolk coastline, such as Brancaster Bay, Holkham Bay, Wells-Next-To-The-Sea,
Blakeney Point, Sheringham and Cromer pier.
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Figure 1. Important Recreational Sea Angling areas for shore and boat
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2.2.7 Shore anglers generally target a range of species such as cod Gadus morhua, dab
Limanda limanda and whiting Merlangius merlangus during the winter months,
whilst species such as bass Dicentrarchus labrax, rays Raja spp., flounder Platichthys
flesus, sole Solea solea, eel Anguilla anguilla and smoothhound, of which two species
are present; the common smoothhound Mustelus mustelus and the starry
smoothhound Mustelus asterias, are of significant importance during the summer
months.
2.2.8 The Lincolnshire Coast has become a hotspot for anglers targeting ‘smoothhound’
during the summer months, where the general average size is considered to be
amongst the largest in the UK, it is not uncommon for fish of 10kg to be caught and
given the species fighting qualities, the majority are returned alive. Smoothhound
are considered to be a catch and release species by the vast majority of anglers, with
some competitions prohibiting their inclusion in bag or specimen weights.
Figure 2. Shore caught Starry Smoothhound (Courtesy of Matt Overton)
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2.2.9 The smoothhound season generally commences in May and continues through to
August, the warming of the nearshore waters initiates the moulting of a range of
crustacea i.e. shore crab Carcinus maenas and brown crab Cancer pagurus, which
triggers the inshore migration of smoothhound looking for moulting crabs to feed
upon.
2.2.10 Due to the nature of the smoothhound in that they are very much a pack fish and
migrate extensively around favourable seabed habitats, fishermen have made
comment on how they have observed large abundances around Sutton-on-Sea one
week, which have moved location to other areas such as Chapel St Leonards within a
few tides. This is likely due to the available crustacean food supply being exhausted
very rapidly.
2.2.11 In addition to the smoothhound, sea bass are also considered to be an important
target species, although anglers are more likely to take home any sea bass that they
may catch, provided it is within the mandatory minimum size limit (MLS) of 36cm.
Sea bass are moderately abundant throughout the region, although there is a large
juvenile component that are blow the MLS.
Figure 3. Shore caught Sea Bass (Courtesy of Matt Overton)
2.2.12 Within the Humber estuary and outer estuary approaches, shore matches are held
during the summer, these matches are based on a length measuring system, were
points are given for each cm of fish measured i.e. a 26cm flounder would amass 26
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points. The principal species caught and targeted in these matches is the flounder,
Skerritt (2010) supports the importance of flounder, stating that the flounder “has
long been valued by the RSA community as a key species”.
Boat Based Sea Angling
2.2.13 Recreational sea angling also occurs from boats, which are predominantly privately
owned vessels although there are a small number of charter vessels for hire that
usually take parties, but may also take individuals if places are available. For the
charter fleet and private vessels alike, the fishing is largely concentrated on wrecks,
reefs or grounds of similar characteristics, sand banks and gravel beds that offer fish
catching potential.
2.2.14 Survey undertaken by Picket et al. (1995), indicate that from between the years of
1987 to 1992 there was a significant reduction in the number of participants
engaged in shore angling whilst the frequency of boat angling participation
increased. This may be made attributable to the modern day economy and
individuals possessing a larger disposable income, allowing them to potentially buy
their own private vessels and or charter vessels to chase those ‘bigger fish’ that are
present farther from the shore. However in recent years, the number of charter
vessels has significantly declined and whilst there are no charter vessels based at
Anderby Creek or Skegness, there are still a few operating within the waters off the
Lincolnshire Coast. These include the ‘Angelus’ from Grimsby, the ‘Katie Louise’
from Norfolk Fishing Trips and Charter situated at Brancaster Staithe and ‘Sunbeam
III’ from Norfolk Sea Fishing based at Wells-Next-to-the-Sea.
2.2.15 It is estimated from consultation, that there are approximately 80-100 privately
owned boats that are involved in recreational sea angling activity. These privately
owned vessels are predominantly beached launched and largely based at Skegness,
Butlins and Jacksons Corner, historically there were a small number located at
Huttoft, although it is considered that these are now largely inactive.
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Figure 4. Boat caught Thornback Ray and Cod (Courtesy of www.bostonpirates.co.uk)
2.2.16 During the recent consultation process, stakeholders indicated that a patch of rough
ground located approximately half a mile from the shore at Anderby Creek is of
significant importance for the local recreational fleet (Figure 1). With anglers
targeting a number of species such as cod (November to April), skates and rays
(March to June), smoothhound species and tope Galeorhinus galeus (May to August)
and bass (March to September). However, a considerable number of the privately
owned vessels or chartered vessels target areas in close proximity to the operational
Lincolnshire offshore wind farm.
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Figure 5. Boat caught Tope, with tag ready to be released (Courtesy of PMSL
2.2.17 The information collated during the consultation for recreational fisheries shows
that the key species of interest for boat anglers in the regional study area are bass,
cod, skates and rays, smoothhounds and tope, whilst other species such as ling
Molva molva, plaice Pleuronectes platessa, whiting, pollock Pollachius pollachius,
dogfish Schyliorhinus caniculata, and Dover sole are also caught on occasion. Those
anglers targeting bass, generally fish along the stretch of coast from Sutton-on-Sea
south towards Skegness. Recreational tope fishing has been recognised as a highly
popular activity, with charter vessels from Grimsby, Norfolk and Wells frequently
taking bookings to target tope. Anglers that catch tope, practice catch and release,
which is mandatory under UK fisheries regulation and local IFCA byelaws.
2.3 Local Clubs and Competitions
2.3.1 Many recreational anglers in the UK consider club and competition as a significant
social element of the angling experience. Competitions are generally focused
around club matches from the shore, however open shore and open boat
competitions also contribute to a large proportion of recreational angling activity.
The overriding ethos in the attraction of club matches to some anglers is the
camaraderie, the ability to learn about fish, tactics and venues from more
experienced anglers and an opportunity to win trophies (Proctor, 2006). These
experiences not only allow for the education and training of fellow anglers as well as
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juniors, but also improve environmental awareness in sea anglers and the wider
general public
2.3.2 There are a number of sea angling clubs operating within the regional study area
with some clubs in excess of 200 members at any one time and include the Grimsby
Shore Angling Club (GSAC), the Skegness Pier Angling Club (SPAC) and the Norfolk
Angling Club (NAC). There is however, only really the SPAC that regularly holds
shore angling matches within the local study area of the Triton Knoll OFW export
cable corridor, in which matches occur all year round at various locations along the
coast. It is anticipated that there around 30 members in which approximately 15-20
members will fish in any one match, with cash prizes available, dependent on the
numbers that have entered.
2.3.3 Clubs such as the Humber Cruising Association Boat Fishing Club (HCABFC) that are
specifically comprised of boat anglers can be in excess of 250 members. However,
recent consultation has revealed that it is very rare for the HCABFC to fish as far
south or around the TKOWF export cable corridor as they usually operate in areas
further north, with instances only observed during big matches. In addition, the
Skegness Boat Angling Club and the Boston Pirates Small Boat Angling Club are the
only boat angling clubs that are likely to operate within the local study area. It
should be of note that much of the recreational boat angling activity is likely to only
occur on good weather days during the summer months.
2.3.4 Seasonal variables with regard to weather and species allows for a winter league
(anglers attempt to catch as many sizeable fish as possible) and a summer league,
were all anglers must abide to the minimum landing size regulations. Some anglers
are prepared to walk considerable distances in order to reach their preferential or
optimal fishing venue. However, factors such as these support Pereira and Hansen,
(2003) theory that recreational fisheries are often seen as high effort and low catch-
ability.
2.3.5 The Lincolnshire Coast has also become a popular spot for anglers from sea angling
clubs outwith the immediate area, such as the Reckitts Sea Angling Club, which is
based in Hull and the Commercial Sea Angling Club and Hornsea Sea Angling Club
which are based at Withernsea and Hornsea respectively on the East Yorkshire
Coast. Anglers from a range of other counties frequently visit the area to fish,
however it is clear that these anglers intentions are to solely target the
smoothhound. Other visiting anglers during the summer months are also likely to
enter the only significant ‘open’ angling competition held along the Lincolnshire
coast, this is known as the ‘Smoothhound open’ which typically occurs during July.
2.4 Other Recreational Sea Angling Associated Activities
2.4.1 Recreational sea anglers will frequently gather a range of fresh baits such as worms
(Figure 6) for their personal use at various venues along the Lincolnshire coast such
as Chapel St Leonards or Chapel Point a little further to the north. A number of
different species of worms are collected by hand using a fork, spade or bait pump,
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the type of worms collected usually include lug worms Arenicola marina, gully
worms or black lugworm Arenicola defodiens, white ragworm or catworm Nephtys
caeca and Nephtys longosetosa and where there are muddy banks i.e. Humber
Estuary or the Greater Ouse, Harbour ragworm Hediste diversicolor and occasionally
King Ragworm Alitta virens can be dug.
2.4.2 Following seasonal storms, sea anglers may pick up a wide range of marine species
that have been dislodged from the sediments, these include the aforementioned
marine worms, but also include clams Veneridae spp., razor shells Ensis spp., cockles
Cerastoderma edule, mussels Mytilus edulis and occasionally scallops Aequipecten
opercularis.
Figure 6. Hand collected Gully Worms (Courtesy of Matt Overton)
2.4.3 There are however currently no restrictions on collecting bait in these areas as long
as anglers adhere to a number of measures to ensure conservation of fauna and
associated wildlife.
2.5 Other Recreational Activities
2.5.1 Due to the extensive sandy beaches along the Lincolnshire’s coastline, there are a
number of areas that provide a wide range of other land and marine recreational
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resources. Many tourists will utilise the open sandy beaches during the summer for
activities such as swimming, walking, canoeing, and sail-boarding and various other
water-crafts. Skegness Water Sports Club situated at Jacksons Corner near to
Skegness, offers a wide range of marine recreational activities and is often very
highly populated during the summer within the inshore areas off the Lincolnshire
Coast.
2.5.2 The area is also popular for yachting and recreational sailing, in which the Royal
Yachting Association (RYA) have identified the local study area to be in a location
used for cruising and racing, with much of this activity being closer to the shore to
avoid any conflict with commercial shipping. Further detail on recreation activity
other than sea angling can be found in Volume 2, Chapter 7.
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3. References
Armstrong. M., Brown. A., Hargreaves. J., Hyder. K., Pilgrim-Morrison. S., Munday. M.,
Proctor. S., Roberts. A. and Williamson. K. 2013. Sea Angling 2012 – A survey of recreational
sea angling activity and economic value in England. Department of Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs.
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. 2004. Research into the Economic
Contribution of Sea Angling. Drew Associates Limited.
Pereira, D. L., and M. J. Hansen. 2003. A perspective on challenges to recreational fisheries
management: summary of the symposium on active management of recreational fisheries.
North American Journal of Fisheries Management 23(4): 1367–1373.
Picket, G. D., Eaton, D. R., Cunningham, S., Potten, S. D. and Whitmarsh, D. 1995. An
appraisal of the Uk bass fishery and its management. Lab Leaflet., Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food Directorate of Fisheries Research, Lowestoft, (75): pp47.
Pitcher, T. J. and Hollingworth, C. E. 2002. Recreational Fisheries: Ecological, Economic and
Social Evaluation. Fish and Aquatic Resources Series No 8, Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK,
288pp
Proctor. N.V. 2006. Sea Angling Policy Development: Final Report to the World Wide Fund
UK (WWF). Report Reference No: PM001/05/06-F.
Skerritt, D. J. 2010. A review of the European flounder Platichthys flesus - Biology, Life
History and Trends in Population. Newcastle University, International Marine &
Environmental Consultancy,
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