The measures put in place
Follow-up actions
Monitoring of fishing activities
Fishing activity in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc is an important part of the local economy. The objective of monitoring fishing activities is to evaluate the evolution of the fishing fleet and fishing practices, from an economic point of view, in order to determine the impact of the wind farm on this activity. A similar study of fishing activities near the siting area was conducted in 2013 as part of the Ailes Marines project.
Photomontage after construction
The objective of this measure is to validate that the photomontages presented as part of the impact study were representative of reality once the wind farm is installed. Photographs will be taken at the locations selected for the photomontages as part of the project. As during the photomontages, variants will be made for several points of view:
Monitoring of chiropterans in the exploitation phase
In the operational phase, 8 wind turbines will be equipped with acoustic recording stations (ultrasounds) in order to evaluate and characterize the activity of migrating chiropterans in the wind farm area. One of the objectives of this monitoring is to provide information on the presence of the migrating Nathusius' Pipistrelle in the offshore wind farm. The latter having been detected at the Grand Léjon lighthouse but never in the wind park area.
Monitoring of chiropterans in the construction phase
The methodology consists of equipping a ship and the Grand Léjon lighthouse with an acoustic system including an acoustic recorder, a microphone and a solar panel to power the system in order to evaluate and characterize chiropteran activity in the wind farm area and its surroundings. The objective is also to identify whether the site is a source of light attraction for chiropterans and in particular Nathusius' Pipistrelle.
Monitoring of the fisheries resource
The aim of this monitoring is to assess the impact of the construction and operation of the offshore wind farm and its connection on the fisheries resource (monitoring shared with RTE. To do this, the comparison between the reference state and the environmental monitoring carried out throughout the life of the project should make it possible to decide on the effects of the project on the fisheries resource.
Passive acoustic monitoring of marine mammals
The objective of monitoring marine mammals "by passive acoustics" is to provide information on cetacean activity in the area of the offshore wind farm before construction (reference state), during the construction, operation and dismantling phases. These were communicated to the MMC (Management and Monitoring Committee) in April 2019. Seven acoustic stations are positioned at different locations in the study area, each allowing the recording of high frequencies (porpoises, clicks) and low frequencies (low and medium frequency cetaceans, ambient noise). Two stations are positioned in the wind farm, and the five ...
Monitoring of breeding colonies
The objective of the measure is to improve knowledge of the breeding colonies in Saint-Brieuc Bay. This monitoring is not intended to replace the actions already carried out in the area, but to complement them in order to refine knowledge about local breeding colonies. The scientific protocol establishing the technical modalities of the field actions was established jointly between Ailes Marines and local stakeholders (Bretagne vivante, GEOCA, the Syndicat Mixte Grand Site Cap d'Erquy Cap Fréhel, and VivArmor). The coordinator for the implementation of the monitoring is...
Visual monitoring of marine mammals and birds
The main objective of "visual" monitoring of marine mammals and birds is to determine the impact of the work and operation of the wind farm off the Bay of Saint-Brieuc on these groups. This monitoring will also help improve local knowledge. These were communicated to the SMC in April 2019. Vessel observations are carried out by two observers simultaneously, each covering one side of a boat and concentrating on a 300 m strip.
Benthos / water / sediment monitoring
The operations are part of an overall project for the ecological restoration of the island to the profile of breeding seabird colonies. In fact, the invasive American Mink has spread on Tomé Island, predating the eggs of the nesting colonies and preventing any nesting. This is dramatic for the islet and could eventually threaten the colonies of the Seven Islands if this species gets there.
Telemetric monitoring of Alcids
The measure concerns the nesting Torda Penguins and Troil Guillemots of the Cape Frehel colony. The aim is to clarify the ecology of these two species and to learn more about the behaviour of these birds in relation to the construction and operation of the wind farm. The objective is to equip 10 to 15 individuals of Penguins and Guillemots per year, for 3 years, with miniaturized electronic devices during the breeding period.
Telemetric monitoring of Northern Gannets
The objective of the measure is to improve knowledge of the ecology of the Northern Gannet in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc. This monitoring is not intended to replace the actions already carried out in the area, but to complement them in order to refine knowledge about the local colonies. Fieldwork will take place in the Sept-Iles, but the data collected will enable detailed monitoring of their movements and fishing activities throughout the Channel.
Monitoring of Avifauna by marine radar
Monitoring of avifauna by marine radar will be carried out using an automated radar/camera system installed in the wind farm. Vertical data provides information on flight height while horizontal data provides information on lateral trajectories/directions. Both are important to see if the birds change their flying height, avoid the wind turbines laterally, enter and exit the wind farm directly.
Monitoring of Avifauna by ground radar
As the offshore radar can only be operational when the wind turbines are powered up, onshore radar monitoring is set up before and during construction. Specific monitoring will be implemented to evaluate micro/macro avoidance and migratory flows within the wind farm during the operational phase (cf. marine radar bird monitoring sheet). The main objectives of this monitoring of bird life by land-based radar are to evaluate potential changes in seabird behaviour due to the presence of the wind farm and to measure the flow...
Monitoring the dispersion of Alcidae chicks
The objective of the measurement is to improve knowledge of the phenomenon of dispersal of adults and their chicks at sea and to verify whether this dispersal is in the direction of the wind farm off the Bay of Saint-Brieuc. The scientific protocol establishing the technical modalities of the field actions was established jointly between Ailes Marines and local stakeholders (Bretagne vivante and the Syndicat Mixte Grand Site Cap d'Erquy Cap Fréhel).
Reduction and avoidance measures
Photoattraction reduction in construction
The impact study showed that some species of birds in flight were more sensitive to light than others. In the absence of mitigation measures, the potential effects of light attraction were rated as moderate for petrels and shearwaters and low to negligible for other bird species. Although limited information is available on their (migratory) behaviour. The aim of this measure is to reduce the light-related impacts of ships in the construction phase.
Reducing the disturbance of the Balearic Shearwater in periods of interbreeding presence
The objective of the measure is to inform yard personnel to enable the avoidance of shearwater rafts by Personnel Transfer Vessels (PTVs) during work at sea and to raise public awareness. This measure was aimed at departures from Saint-Quay-Portrieux (the initial port of the construction phase), as the impact study had revealed that shearwater rafts were present between this port and the offshore work area. However, the location of the port has changed and it will be located in Lézardrieux. Shearwater rafts are no longer found on the roads to the...
Compensation measures
Eradication of American Mink on the Tregor Islands - pink granite coast
The operations are part of an overall project for the ecological restoration of the island to the profile of breeding seabird colonies. In fact, the invasive American Mink has spread on Tomé Island, predating the eggs of the nesting colonies and preventing any nesting. This is dramatic for the islet and could eventually threaten the colonies of the Seven Islands if this species gets there.
Combating the predation of seabirds by black crows
This measure, implemented since 2012, aims to limit predation on seabird eggs laid by crows that tend to specialize on the Black Guillemot and Black-legged Kittiwake. The Syndicat Mixte Grand Site Cap d'Erquy Cap Fréhel, an experienced operator of this practice, has been implementing this compensation measure on behalf of Ailes Marines since 2019. This measure has led to an increase in the number of breeding pairs. All the high-stake species have reached an all-time record number of breeding pairs for Cap Fréhel over the period...
Improving the tranquility of marine mammals
The purpose of this measure is to enhance the tranquility of marine mammals in the Gulf of Normandy Breton during the construction phase of the wind farm off the coast of Saint-Brieuc Bay. Several meetings have been organized with government departments and marine mammal experts during 2019 and early 2020.
Accompanying measures
Definition and implementation of a tourist offer in collaboration with the actors of the territory.
The measure concerns the commitments made by Ailes Marines in response to the French government's call for tenders No. 2011/S 126-208873 to develop a wind power project off the coast of Saint-Brieuc and the administrative authorisations for the offshore wind power project, obtained in December 2017. Tourism being the second sector of economic activity in the Côtes-d'Armor department, the question of including the offshore wind farm in the department's tourism offer was raised. Ailes Marines is committed to promoting the attractiveness of the department and the integration of the project .
Experimenting with a collision avoidance system for birdlife
This accompanying measure concerns the testing of a system to avoid bird collisions with the blades of operating wind turbines. The system consists of a network of cameras, which detect the trajectories of different categories of birds, connected to a sound scaring system, which is activated once a bird enters a risky perimeter around the turbine rotor. Various systems are available on the market and have been operational for a number of years on onshore wind farms. Marine-based versions adapted to sea conditions...
Turbidity modeling
The AU-IOTA prescribes that prior to the start of work on the foundations, the project owner must model the dispersion of suspended matter and assess their impact on the fish resource. The project owner shall submit a report to the management and monitoring committee for its opinion:
Study of the impact of noise on the fisheries resource
This accompanying measure focuses on assessing the impact of noise on various species emblematic of the fisheries resource of interest in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc: scallop, prairie and cuttlefish. Knowledge of the impact of sound on invertebrates and crustaceans at different stages of their development is still very incomplete. This study in a controlled environment (laboratory), but also natural for the case of the scallop, aims to better understand the effects of noise on these organisms (such as the scallop, the prairie and the cuttlefish) and to develop a better understanding of the...
Monitoring of marine mammals by photo-identification
The objective is to contribute to the knowledge of marine mammals in GNB by contributing to the catalogue currently being compiled by the GECC. This measure therefore includes outings financed by Ailes Marines. Two species are targeted by this measure: the bottlenose dolphin and the Risso's dolphin.
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