2011-2012, AMEC, Blyth NaREC Offshore Demonstration Site, Benthic Surveys series https://portal.medin.org.uk/portal/start.php?tpc=015_7c2eb7d0-efdc-4d37-92bd-b82d6a79e7b5 The EIA process for an offshore wind farm requires a full understanding of the marine ecology of the area which may be affected. This requires a full review of existing benthic survey data (marine ecology desk study) as well as benthic surveys of the wind farm site, cable routes and adjacent areas. For this site, surveying the offshore environment involved benthic grab sampling and epibenthic trawl surveys, as well as drop down video surveys on rocky ground where grab/trawling was not possible. Intertidal biotope mapping was also undertaken along the cable route. These baseline surveys were necessary for the characterisation of the marine communities in the vicinity of the cable route and wind farm site, and to identify the location of any Annex 1 habitats (under the Habitats Directive) present. Comparison of these results with postconstruction monitoring will allow an assessment of any changes that may occur after installation of the facility. 201108