CEFAS23-46 Contract for BEEMS Intertidal mudflat monitoring surveys in Somerset, UK

The BEEMS (British EDF Estuarine and Marine Studies) programme is funded by NNB GenCo (EDF Energy). Through this programme, Cefas provide authoritative scientific information on the marine and transitional waters in the vicinity of potential new build nuclear power stations and require a competent Supplier to deliver the element described below.

Cefas require services to conduct intertidal mudflat monitoring surveys for the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Nuclear New Build project to meet regulatory environmental monitoring requirements. The ongoing mudflat monitoring programme focuses on a bivalve species, the Baltic tellin, Macoma balthica. This species is a key component of the Hinkley Point mudflat community and was identified, during the HPC environmental impact assessment process, as potentially sensitive to localised seawater temperature increases brought about by the cooling water discharges from HPC. As such, biological samples and physical measurements are collected every year. The monitoring programme is focussed on mudflat intertidal areas around Bridgwater Bay and at a reference site in Wick St. Lawrence, located to the north of the bay.