Abstract
This Chapter of the Environmental Statement (ES) describes the existing environment with regard to marine mammals, which includes pinnipeds (seals) and cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), within the proposed Galloper Wind Farm (GWF) site and wider study area, as well as the Outer Thames Estuary and southern North Sea. 14.1.2 This Chapter serves to characterise the distribution and abundance of marine mammal species which have been recorded within the study area and wider region through site specific or regional surveys. Subsequently, it presents the findings of an assessment of potential impacts arising from the construction, operation and decommissioning phases of the GWF project on regional marine mammal populations and provides detail on potential mitigation and monitoring measures for these impacts. 14.1.3 For the purposes of the Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009, Figures 14.7 to 14.9 taken together with this Chapter, fulfil the requirements of Regulation 5(2)(l) in relation to the effects of the proposed development on marine mammals.