Operators of the North Irish Sea Array (NISA) offshore wind farm will shortly undertake a subtidal benthic ecology survey campaign on its proposed export cable route area, off the coast of north Co Dublin and Co Meath.
Similar to the campaign this past summer, it will involve the deployment of benthic grab, water quality sonde and drop-down video equipment from a survey vessel within the bounds of the proposed NISA Export Cable Route area.
It is expected to be completed between next Wednesday 28 September 2022 and Wednesday 5 October, subject to weather and operational constraints.
As with the concurrent geophysical survey, the campaign will be confined to the proposed NISA Export Cable Route area. This area forms an irregular shape spanning 11km north-south and 18km east-west at its widest point. The survey area has two landfall areas close to Balbriggan in north Co Dublin.
The benthic survey campaign will be conducted by the survey vessel Husky (callsign 2EQI7). An onboard fisheries liaison officer will be available to discuss operations throughout the duration of the survey campaign.
The survey vessel will display appropriate lights and signals. All other vessels operating within this area are requested to keep a wide berth and pass at minimum speed to reduce vessel wash. Mariners are advised to keep continuous watch on VHF Channel 16 when navigating the area.
Contact details, coordinates and a map of the survey area are included in Marine Notice No 64 of 2022, attached below.