Fehmarnbelt fixed link case study

The Fehmarnbelt fixed link project for the Danish Department of Transport is currently the largest EIA in European waters. The bridge or tunnel will be approximately 17 kilometres long, connecting the German island of Fehmarn and Denmark.

What is the client’s challenge?
The link will stretch across the Fehmarnbelt, an area which is utilised by seals and harbour porpoise. There are also several designated Natura 2000 sites in the area.  Cefas, the coordinator for the technical input into the marine mammal EIA required expert scientific input.  Cefas approached us because of our reputation as leading scientific experts on marine mammals and our ability to design research programmes tailored to individual projects.

What has SMRU Ltd delivered?
SMRU Ltd were contracted as part of the FEMM consortium lead by BioConsult SH and Cefas to contribute to the baseline studies and impact assesments on harbour porpoises and seals.  Our main activities include assessment of seal health within the region, including analysis of field data from biopsy and tagging studies.  SMRU Ltd also carries out data analysis and interpretation from harbour porpoise tagging studies, acoustic tracking work and aerial surveys. 

What are the outcomes?
SMRU Ltd has delivered high quality baseline study reports for inclusion in the Environmental Statement which is due for completion in 2011. SMRU Ltd expects to be involved in ongoing monitoring and data analysis throughout future construction and operational phases of the project.