Part B - Technical instructions 
35 
Baseline study 
Construction 
phase 
Operation phase 
Timing 
At least two consecutive com 
plete seasonal cycles prior to the 
start of construction. 
Throughout the 
entire construc 
tion phase. 
At least three years, up to five 
years if required, after commissio 
ning. 
Method 
Ship transect survey: 
Ship based suveys of marine mammals take place exclusively within the scope of the 
avifauna survey (see table 3.1.1). 
Aircraft transect survey: 
Digital video or photo survey is carried out with suitable methods in co-ordination with 
the BSH. The digital aerial survey results are used also for assessment of resting birds 
in the assessment area (see table 3.1.1). 
Presenta 
tion of 
results 
Presentation of abundance: 
• Seasonal cycle sighting rate (= sightings/effective transect line) (per flight or 
monthly data on relative frequency). 
• Seasonal cycle of the number of animals per km 2 (per flight or monthly data on ab 
solute frequency) - if the correction factor g(0) can be determined (under reserve). 
• Seasonal cycle of group sizes (monthly data on single animals and mother/calf 
pairs). 
• Rough characterisation of behaviour (swimming directions, behaviour, association). 
• (Statistical) presentation of occurrence changes over the assessment period (base 
line study-construction phase-operation phase, BACI design). 
Presentation of distribution: 
• Distribution of sighted animals as well as changes on the basis of point maps (per 
flight or monthly summary). 
• Relative frequency and distribution of sighted animals as well as changes on the 
basis of monthly or seasonal grid density maps (absolute frequency under reserve). 
• Anthropogenic influences, such as noise intensive construction measures, must be 
included in the analyses. 
• Movement of ships and helicopters due to construction/maintenance activities 
should be documented on the basis of existing AIS data (AIS, GPS, VMS) and 
should be taken into account. 
The POD survey results (see table 4.2) must be included. 
The sonic survey results (see table 4.3) must be included. 
Literature 
Further reading on methodology: 
Buckland et al. (2012, 2004), Gilles et al. (2009), Scheidat et al. (2008), Scheidat et al. 
(2004), Thomas et al. (2010), Thomsen et al. (2004).