Evidence for compensation measures for seabirds

Tender description

This project is to provide evidence-based assessments of the likelihood of success of the implementation of a suite of potential compensatory measures that might be proposed to offset the predicted impacts of offshore wind energy developments on populations of several seabird species that are qualifying features of selected Special Protection Areas (SPAs). These assessments should be based solely on consideration of the ecological evidence and take no account of other factors that also have a bearing on the likely effectiveness of any proposed measure eg practical difficulty, cost-effectiveness or legal /regulatory issues etc. The issue of “additionality” of potential measures should also not be considered in making these assessments. Only plausible like-for-like measures appropriate for each species*site combination should be considered. The core requirement is to conduct evidence reviews and also analyses/modelling to inform assessments of the likelihood of success of potential like-for-like compensatory measures regarding four species at specific SPAs i.e. kittiwake at Flamborough & Filey Coast SPA, lesser black-backed gull at the Alde-Ore Estuary SPA, Sandwich tern at North Norfolk Coast SPA and red-throated diver at Outer Thames Estuary SPA and Liverpool Bay SPA. Costings should be provided to carry out all planning, evidence review, analysis and synthesis and reporting to deliver this core requirement.