2012, Royal Haskoning DHV, Thanet Offshore Wind Farm, Fish and Benthic Survey series https://portal.medin.org.uk/portal/start.php?tpc=015_9939288a-df5d-4728-a6a8-ab558e76d737 In order to monitor the abundance and composition of adult and juvenile fish and epi-benthic species within the area, an otter and beam trawl survey was undertaken within and adjacent to the operational Thanet offshore wind farm between the 3rd and 6th July 2012. The results of the survey have been compared with results from the April 2012 post-construction survey and the April and July 2005 pre-construction surveys. Overall in both sampling areas (control and wind farm), the total catch rates were highest in the post-construction surveys, with substantially higher post-construction catch rates recorded within the wind farm. Species diversity showed little change between the pre- and post-construction surveys, suggesting that the operational wind farm has not adversely affected the localised fish communities. The pre- and post-construction survey results potentially indicate that there may be an attraction effect with regards to lesser spotted dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) and thornback ray (Raja clavata). It should be noted however, that considerable variation was observed in the postconstruction survey results for these species, potentially suggesting that any changes may be due to natural variation or to the effects of factors unrelated to the wind farm construction and operation. 20220803T13:15:45