Glossary

Defined Term	Definition
0-Group Fish	Fisheries statistics term which refers to fish within their first year of life.
Adaptability	The ability of an individual to adapt its behaviour to sustain ecological functioning and allow survival.
Additional Mitigation	Also referred to as secondary mitigation which is defined by The Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) (formerly Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)) as: Actions that will require further activity in order to achieve the anticipated outcome. These may be imposed as part of the planning consent, or through inclusion in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report (sic).
Adverse Weather	Severe weather that creates potentially unsafe conditions for vessel transits.
Aerodynamic Noise	Noise generated by air passing over an object, for example Wind Turbine blades.
Air Gap	The distance between the sea surface and the blade tip. This can be measured from Highest Astronomical Tide (HAT), Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) and Mean High Water Springs (MHWS). Regardless of parameter used, conversion factors are applied to ensure the distance will always be the same. Air gap is an important parameter in Collision Risk Modelling (CRM).
Airfield Reference Point	The designated geographical location of an aerodrome, usually located near the geometric centre of the landing area.
Allision/Contact	Allision in shipping and navigation refers to the impact of a moving vessel with a stationary object, such as a Wind Turbine. It is distinct from a collision, which involves two moving vessels.
Anchorage	A designated area where ships lower their anchors to remain in position.
Annex I	Habitats of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), as identified in Annex I of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC).
Annex II	Species of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) as identified in Annex II of Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC).
Annex IV	Species of community interest in need of strict protection under the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC).
Annex VIII Substances (also referred to as Specific Pollutants)	These are pollutants listed in Annex VIII of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) that are not necessarily priority substances but are still regulated due to their harmful effects on water bodies.
Annex X Substances	Annex X substances include priority substances and priority hazardous substances identified by the European Union due to their significant risk to or via the aquatic environment. These substances are selected based on their toxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and widespread presence in the aquatic environment.
Annual Energy Production (AEP)	AEP is the amount of energy generated in a year. This is based on wind yield resources, Wind Turbine specifications, and estimated energy loss (transmission losses).
Anthropogenic	An activity resulting from or relating to the influence of humans.
Applicant (the)	Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm Limited (BOWFL).
Appropriate Assessment (AA)	An assessment to determine the implications of a plan or project for a European site in view of that site’s conservation objectives. An Appropriate Assessment forms part of the Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) and is required when a plan or project (either alone or in combination with other plans or projects) is likely to have a significant adverse effect on a European site.
Array Area	The Array Area is the area in which the Offshore Generation Assets will be located.
As Low as Reasonably Practicable (ALARP)	The principle that risk should be reduced as far as possible before further reduction is disproportionate to the costs of doing so.
Automatic Identification System (AIS)	A system by which vessels automatically broadcast their identity and key statistics including location, destination, length, speed and current status. Most commercial vessels and European Union fishing vessels over 15 metres (m) in length are required to carry AIS.
Barrier Effects	The effect by which an animal or bird has to make longer transits between a breeding or roosting location to an area of foraging. An Offshore Wind Farm (OWF) could act as a barrier in which a species has to fly around to reach the other side, some species are unlikely to travel through or over.
Baseline	The status of the environment without the Proposed Development in place.
Beam Trawl	A method of bottom trawling with a net that is held open by a beam, which is generally a heavy steel tube supported by steel trawl heads at each end. Tickler chains or chain mats, attached between the beam and the ground rope of the net, are used to disturb fish and crustaceans that rise up and fall back into the attached net.
Benthic	Living on or in the seabed.
Biomass	Total weight of organisms.
Biotope	A term which refers to the combination of physical environment (habitat) and its distinctive assemblage of conspicuous species. The biotope concept is used to enable description and comparison. Within biotope names, Latin names of species are used in full on every mention (e.g. Genus species) and never abbreviated or referred to using a common name.
Blue Carbon	Carbon captured by the world’s ocean and coastal ecosystems. Typically includes carbon stored within ocean sediments and ocean vegetation such as seagrasses or kelp.
Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm Limited (BOWFL)	A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) (legal entity) for the purpose of developing the Project. BOWFL are the Applicant for the Offshore Application.
Bronze Age	Period dating from 2500-800 BC.
Bycatch	Catch which is retained and sold but is not the target species for the fishery.
Carbon Budget	The maximum amount of carbon emissions that can be released into the atmosphere over a set period of time. The goal of Carbon Budgets is to limit global warming to a specific level.
Category A Listed Building	A Listed Building is a built structure of ‘special architectural or historic interest’. The term ‘building’ can be defined as ‘anything made by people’ such as houses, schools, factories, boundary walls, bridges and sculptures. Listing covers the whole of a building or structure including its exterior, interior and any ancillary structures within its curtilage (provided these were constructed before 01 July 1948). Their selection, assessment and designation is carried out by Historic Environment Scotland under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997. Listed Buildings are managed primarily through the Listed Building Consent process by the appropriate planning authority. Listed Buildings are categorised A, B and C. Under current guidance, Buildings of special architectural or historic interest which are outstanding examples of a particular period, style or building type’ are designated as Category A. These are generally considered to be of national importance.
Cetacean	Marine mammals that are entirely aquatic. These include whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
Chlorophyll-a	Chlorophyll-a is the green substance used by plants to photosynthesise (creating sugars from basic chemical building blocks, using sunlight).
Circalittoral	The subzone of the rocky sublittoral below that dominated by algae (the infralittoral) and dominated by animals.
Civil Aviation Publication (CAP)	Guidance material and policies for the aviation industry, ensuring the safe conduct of aircraft operations. CAPs include detailed information on various aspects of aviation, such as procedures, standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements. They address both technical and operational matters.
Collision (Ornithology and Bat)	The effect by which a bird, or bat, may be impacted by direct collision. Birds passing through an OWF are at risk of colliding with the Wind Turbines (moving and stationary parts).
Collision (Shipping and Navigation)	Collision refers to the impact between two moving vessels, or a vessel and an object in motion. It differs from allision, which involves a moving vessel striking a stationary object.
Collision Risk Model	A model that calculates potential collision risk for a species within a wind farm based on a set of wind farm and bird species specific parameters. Collision Risk Models can be run deterministically or stochastically.
Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Plant	A power plant configuration that pairs a gas turbine with a steam turbine providing additional power.
Commercial Fishing	Any form of fishing activity legally undertaken where the catch is sold for taxable profit.
Conceptual Overlap	The potential for effects to affect receptors directly or indirectly.
Contracts for Difference (CfD)	The UK Government’s main mechanism for supporting low-carbon electricity generation.
COVID-19 Pandemic	The COVID-19 pandemic was a global outbreak of coronavirus, an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, first identified in 2019.
Crown Estate Scotland (CES)	Public corporation accountable to Scottish Government, responsible for the management of land and property, including marine assets in Scotland owned by the monarch.
Cultural Significance	Cultural Significance means aesthetic, historic, scientific or social value for past, present or future generations. Cultural Significance can be embodied in a place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects.
Cumulative Effects	The effects of the Proposed Development assessed together with effects from the Onshore Infrastructure forming the Project as well as one or more different projects on the same receptor/resource.
Danger Area	Airspace of defined dimensions within which activities dangerous to the flight of aircraft may exist at specified times.
Demersal Fish	Fish which live and feed on or near the seabed.
Demersal Seine	A seine net is a long net, with or without a bag in the centre, which is set either from the shore or from a boat for surrounding a certain area and is operated with 2 (long) ropes fixed to its ends (for hauling and herding the fish).
Demersal Trawl	A demersal trawl is a cone shaped net that is towed on the seabed to target demersal fish species.
Designated Landscape	Areas of landscape identified as being of importance at international, national or local levels, either defined by statute or identified in development plans or other documents.
Dhan	A marker flag made of very hard-wearing material located on a pole or buoy to mark location of fishing gear.
Diadromous Fish	Fish which move between freshwater and seawater as part of their life cycle.
Digital Aerial Surveys (DAS)	A method for undertaking baseline ornithological and marine mammal data collection surveys. Usually undertaken over a period of 24 months.
Displacement	An impact that occurs when an animal is forced away from an area of habitual usage. This can be temporary (i.e. a ship moving) or permanent (i.e. the placement of offshore infrastructure).
Displacement/Deviation (Shipping and Navigation)	An impact that occurs when a vessel is forced away from their typical route due to activities associated with the construction, operation and maintenance, and/or decommissioning of the Proposed Development due to the Offshore Infrastructure.
Disruption Agreement	A formal agreement between the Applicant and a fisher that seeks to reduce disturbance or displacement to a fishery caused by the Proposed Development. Disruption Agreements may be supported by monetary payment for demonstrable loss of fishery access or economic disadvantage caused directly to active fishing vessels by disturbance or displacement by the Proposed Development.
Draft Plan Option (DPO)	Draft Plan Option Area (POA) identified in the 2019 Draft Sectoral Marine Plan (SMP).
Draught	The maximum depth of any floating body.
E3 Plan Option Area (POA)	One of 15 sustainable POAs for development of commercial scale offshore wind energy in Scotland, defined within the Scottish Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy.
Early Medieval	AD 400 – 1100.
Ecological Potential	Ecological potential in artificial and heavily modified water bodies is determined by an assessment of whether measures are properly in place to mitigate the impacts of any modification on the ecology of the water body.
Ecological Status	An expression of the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems associated with surface waters. Such waters are classified as being of Good Ecological Status (GES) when they meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
Effect	Term used to express the consequence of an impact (i.e. the result of change or changes on specific environmental resources or receptors). The significance of an effect is determined by correlating the magnitude of the impact with the importance, or sensitivity of the receptor or resource in accordance with defined significance criteria.
Embedded Mitigation	Measures that are adopted as part of the Proposed Development and therefore assessed within the EIA. The proposed approach for the EIA for the Proposed Development is that Embedded Mitigation includes both primary mitigation and tertiary mitigation. These are defined by the ISEP as follows: Primary: Modifications to the location or design of the development made during the pre-application phase that are an inherent part of the project, and do not require additional action to be taken. Tertiary: Actions that would occur with or without input from the EIA feeding into the design process. These include actions that will be undertaken to meet other existing legislative requirements, or actions that are considered to be standard practices used to manage commonly occurring environmental effects.
Embodied Carbon	Embodied Carbon refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the extraction/production, transportation, installation, maintenance, and end-of-life profile of materials used for the Project.
Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (EPCI)	EPCI refers to when all of activities associated with the development and delivery of a particular aspect of the project are brought together.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)	Process for the assessment of likely significant environmental effects of a project on the physical, biological and human environment during construction, Operation and Maintenance (O&M) and decommissioning.
Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (EIA Regulations)	Terminology used in this Offshore EIA Report to refer to three sets of regulations: • The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017; • The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017; and • The Marine Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007.
Eularian	Describes fluid motion (speed and direction) at (and relative to) a fixed point in space, over time.
European Economic Area (EEA)	The European Economic Area consists of the Member States of the European Union (EU) and three countries of the European Free Trade Association - Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; excluding Switzerland.
European Protected Species	Species of plants and animals that are protected by law throughout the European Union. These species are listed in Annexes II and IV of the European Habitats Directive. The Directive aims to ensure the conservation of these species by prohibiting activities that could harm them, such as deliberate capture, killing, or disturbance, as well as the destruction of their habitats.
European Sites	This term recognises SACs, candidate SACs (cSACs), Sites of Community Importance (SCIs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), possible SACs (pSACs), potential SPAs (pSPAs) and Ramsar sites (where also designated as another European Site), which protect species and habitats shared across Europe and were originally designated under European legislation.
EU-exit	The withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU).
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)	An area from the outer limit of the territorial sea up to 200 nm from the coastal baseline, over which a sovereign state has rights regarding marine resources.
Export Cable	The cables which will bring electricity from the Offshore Substation Platform (OSP) to the Landfall, and then to the Onshore Substation.
Export Cable Corridor	The area seaward of MHWS which connects the Array Area with the Landfall within which the Offshore Export Cables will be installed.
Find Spots	A location of an archaeological find, for example; flints or ship timbers.
Flag State	A Flag State is the state chosen by merchant ships to be registered in, so that the vessel is bound to carry the flag of that state and comply with that state’s rules and regulations.
Formal Safety Assessment (FSA)	A structured and systematic process for assessing the risks and costs (if applicable) associated with shipping activity.
Functional Unit (FU) (Nephrops)	For the purposes of management and stock assessment, Nephrops are split into a number of stocks or ICES 'functional units' (FUs) based on the discrete patches of mud which they inhabit.
Fuse	A designed and manufactured mechanism to activate munitions. It can be designed for use by electrical, chemical or mechanical systems, by push, pull, pressure, release and time activation, singly or in combination. Usually consists of an igniter and detonator.
Gadoid	A teleost marine fish of the order Gadiformes which includes fish such as cods, hakes and other related fish.
Gear Type	The method/equipment used for fishing.
Good Status	A collective term used to refer to the status achieved by a surface water body when both its ecological status and its chemical status are at least good or, for groundwater, when both its quantitative status and chemical status are at least good.
Grid Connection Point (GCP)	Location where the Offshore Export Cables connect to the electrical grid.
Gross Value Added	A measure of economic activity capturing the difference between an organisation’s turnover and its non-staff operational expenditure.
Grounding	Vessel makes contact with the seabed/shoreline or underwater assets.
Groundwater	All water which is below the surface of the ground in the saturated zone and in direct contact with the ground or subsoil.
Habitats Regulations	A term that refers to the collective legislation that translates the Habitats Directive into specific legal obligations in Scotland, namely: The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994; The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017; and The Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (in each case as amended).
Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA)	An assessment carried out under the Habitats Regulations to determine if a plan or project could adversely affect the integrity of a European Site.
Halokinesis	The geological processes involving the movement and deformation of salt deposits (evaporites) within the Earth's crust.
Harmonic Constituents	Individual sinusoidal components of a complex tidal signal, each characterised by a specific amplitude, phase, and frequency.
Haul-Out Site	Haul-out site is a location on land or ice where seals come ashore to rest, moult, or breed.
Heavily Modified Water Bodies (HMWB)	A body of surface water which, as a result of physical alterations by human activity, is substantially changed in character, as designated in accordance with the provisions of Annex II of the WFD.
Helicopter Main Route Indicator (HMRI)	Used over the North Sea and in Morecambe Bay to provide a network of offshore routes utilised by civilian helicopters operating between the UK mainland and offshore installations.
Heritage Asset	A physical element of the historic environment – a building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having Cultural Significance.
High Explosive (HE)	An explosive that normally detonates rather than burns; that is, the rate of detonation exceeds the velocity of sound.
High Voltage Alternating Current (HVAC)	A system of power transmission and distribution that utilises alternating current at voltages typically exceeding 1000 volts, as defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (2015). HVAC systems are designed to efficiently deliver electricity over long distances with minimal losses, leveraging transformers to modify voltage levels.
Hindcast	Re-analysis of historical weather and oceanographic data using numerical models to simulate past conditions.
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)	HDD is a method of installing underground pipelines, cables and service conduit or ducts through trenchless methods to avoid obstacles and sensitive features such as roads, watercourses and woodlands. The term HDD is used here interchangeably with other similar trenchless techniques but excluding micro tunnelling or direct pipe methods.
Hydromorphology	A study of the quantity and dynamics of water flow within a water body that has variations in its width, depth, structure and substrate of bed and riparian zone.
Icing Level	The level at which the air contains droplets of supercooled liquid water which results in icing conditions where aircraft lift characteristics can be adversely affected.
Impact	A change caused by an action that occurs during a project’s lifetime.
Important Ecological Feature (IEF)	Habitats, species and ecosystems (including ecosystem function and processes) that may be affected by the Proposed Development, with reference to a geographical context in which they are considered important.
Impulsive Sound	Sound which is broadband, very brief with a high rise time and high peak level compared to the energy averaged sound level.
Infauna	Organisms living within the seabed sediment.
Infralittoral	A subzone of the sublittoral in which upward-facing rocks are dominated by erect algae, typically kelps; it can be further subdivided into the upper and lower infralittoral.
Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP)	A published procedure used by aircraft flying in accordance with the instrument flight rules which is designed to achieve and maintain an acceptable level of safety in operations and includes an instrument approach procedure and a standard instrument departure.
Inter-Array Cables (IAC)	Cables which link the Wind Turbines to each other and with the OSPs.
Inter-Related Effects	The potential effects of multiple impacts from the construction, O&M and decommissioning of the Project, affecting one receptor.
Interconnector Cables	Cables which will connect individual OSPs to each other to provide redundancy against cable failure elsewhere.
International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) Statistical Rectangles	ICES standardise the division of sea areas to enable statistical analysis of data. Each ICES statistical rectangle is '30 min latitude by 1 degree longitude' in size (approximately 30 x 30 nm). A number of rectangles are amalgamated to create ICES statistical areas.
Intertidal Area	The area between MHWS and Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS).
Intertidal Survey Area	The proposed Landfall and a surrounding 250 m buffer.
Inventory Battlefield	The Inventory of Historic Battlefields recognises sites where a nationally important battle took place, soldiers fought and died, and where significant military activities happened. Their selection, assessment and designation is carried out by Historic Environment Scotland. Battlefields are managed primarily through the planning process by the appropriate planning authority.
Inventory Gardens and Designed Landscape	The Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes recognises sites where garden grounds and landscapes have been intentionally laid out for artistic effect which are of national importance. Their selection, assessment and designation is carried out by Historic Environment Scotland. Designed landscapes are managed primarily through the planning process by the appropriate planning authority.
Iron Age	800 BC – AD 400.
Isostatic Rebound	The rise of land masses that were depressed by the weight of ice during glacial periods.
J-tube	Curved steel tubes (shaped like a “J”) built into fixed offshore Wind Turbine foundations to guide and protect subsea power cables as they enter the structure. They provide a controlled bend radius, shield cables from mechanical damage, and allow safe pull-in from the seabed up into the turbine transition piece or platform. Commonly used on monopiles and jackets.
Lagrangian	Describes fluid motion (path, speed, direction) through space, over time.
Landfall	The area in which the Offshore Export Cables make landfall and is also the transitional area between the Offshore Transmission Assets and the Onshore Transmission Assets. Located in the Intertidal Area at Benholm.
Landscape Character Type	A distinct, recognisable and consistent pattern of elements in the landscape that makes one landscape different from another.
Lifetime Effects	Assessment of effects that may occur throughout more than one phase (construction, O&M and decommissioning) which interact to potentially create a more significant effect on a receptor than if just assessed in isolation in each of the three key phases (e.g. underwater sound effects from construction piling, operational Wind Turbines, vessels and decommissioning activities).
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)	A remote sensing method using pulsed lasers to measure distances to the earth.
Likely Significant Effect (LSE)	A significant effect on a designated site that has the potential to occur as a result of the Proposed Development (as determined by the LSE Screening Report). Where a LSE cannot be ruled out, further assessment is needed as part of the AA.
Listed Building	A Listed Building is a built structure of ‘special architectural or historic interest’. The term ‘building’ can be defined as ‘anything made by people’ such as houses, schools, factories, boundary walls, bridges and sculptures. Listing covers the whole of a building or structure including its exterior, interior and any ancillary structures within its curtilage (provided these were constructed before 1 July 1948). Their selection, assessment and designation is carried out by Historic Environment Scotland under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997. Listed Buildings are managed primarily through the Listed Building Consent process by the appropriate planning authority.
Macrobenthos	Benthic organisms that are greater than or equal to 0.5 mm in size.
Major Accident	Events that threaten immediate or delayed serious environmental effects to human health, welfare and/or the environment and require the use of resources beyond those of the client or its appointed representatives (i.e. contractors) to manage. For example, effects that cause a fatality, multiple fatalities or permanent injury, or widespread irreversible harm or damage. Major Accidents can be caused by disasters resulting from both man-made and natural hazards (IEMA, 2020).
Marine Directorate (MD)	The Marine Directorate of the Scottish Government, formerly known as Marine Scotland. The planning and licensing authority for Scotland’s seas and custodian of Scotland’s National Marine Plan (NMP). The Marine Directorate - Licensing Operations Team (MD-LOT) are specifically responsible for managing Section 36 Consent and Marine Licence Applications seaward of MHWS.
Marine Directorate – Science, Evidence, Data and Digital (MD-SEDD)	The scientific division of the MD, which provides expert scientific, economic and technical advice and services on issues relating to marine fisheries, aquaculture, marine renewable energy, and the aquatic environment and its flora and fauna.
Marine Guidance Note (MGN)	A system of guidance notes issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) which provide significant advice relating to the improvement of the safety of shipping and of life at sea, and to prevent or minimise pollution from shipping.
Marine Isotope Stage	Alternating warm and cold periods derived from oxygen isotope data taken from deep sea core samples.
Marine Licence	A Marine Licence permits the undertaking of different activities in the marine environment, including construction, the deposition or removal of substances or objects, and dredging. The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 requires Marine Licences to be obtained for licensable activities taking place within Scottish Territorial Seas (MHWS to 12 nm). The Marine and Coastal Access Act (MCAA) 2009 requires a Marine Licence to be obtained for licensable marine activities within the Scottish offshore region (12 nm – 200 nm).
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)	MPAs are designated under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and the Marine and Coastal Access Act (MCAA) 2009. The MPA network protects nationally and internationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology, and underwater landforms. Scotland’s MPAs are significantly important for European, North-East Atlantic, and global MPA networks.
Masking	The presence of one sound that makes it difficult to hear another.
Master	The designated person in charge of a ship, its crew, passengers and cargo.
Maximum Design Scenario (MDS)	The scenario within the design envelope likely to result in the greatest impact on a particular topic receptor, and therefore the one that should be assessed for that topic receptor.
Maximum Sustainable Yield	Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) is the largest yield (catch, in tonnes) that can be taken from a specific fish stock over an indefinite period under constant environmental conditions. Fishing at MSY levels should ensure the capacity of the stock to continue to produce this level in the long term.
Mean High Water Springs (MHWS)	The average tidal height throughout the year of two successive high waters during those periods of 24 hours when the range of the tide is at its greatest.
Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS)	The average tidal height throughout the year of two successive low waters during those periods of 24 hours when the range of the tide is at its greatest.
Medieval	AD 1100 - 1560.
Member State	A country that has joined the EU and is subject to its treaties and regulations.
Métier	A homogenous subdivision, either of a fishery by vessel type or a fleet by voyage type.
Mesolithic	10,000 BC – 4000 BC.
Micro/Meso/Macro Avoidance	Three scales of avoidance that may be shown by birds in response to OWFs and the individual turbines. Microavoidance is avoidance within metres of the turbine, Mesoavoidance is avoidance within the footprint of the wind farm from turbines and Macroavoidance is avoidance of the whole wind farm.
Minimum Conservation Reference Size (MCRS)	For the protection and conservation of fisheries resources, MCRS are applied to certain species of fish and shellfish. The MCRS is the size of a living marine aquatic species below which restrictions or incentives apply that aim to avoid capture through fishing activity.
Minimum Sector Altitude	The lowest altitude providing a minimum of 1,000 ft (300 m) clearance over all terrain and obstacles within a 25 nm (46 km) radius of an airport.
Mitigation	Measures to avoid, prevent, reduce or control effects on the environment. See also definitions for Embedded Mitigation and Additional Mitigation.
Moraines	Unconsolidated debris left behind by the movement of a glacier.
Mysticete	An animal that belongs to a family of whales which use keratinaceous baleen plates in their mouths to sieve planktonic creatures from the water, a sub-group of the order Cetacea.
National Grid	The national electricity transmission network.
National Scenic Areas	Areas of land designated to preserve finest scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development.
Neolithic	4,000 BC – 2,500 BC.
Non-Impulsive (or Continuous) sound	Sound which is either continuous or intermittent but without the characteristics described above for impulsive sound.
North-East Scotland Regional Research Framework (NESRRF)	A regional research framework specifically for the North East region of Scotland.
Odontocete	An animal that belongs to the family of toothed whales, a sub-group of the order Cetacea.
Offshore Application	Term used to refer to the applications associated with the Proposed Development. The Applicant will apply for: • A Section 36 Consent under the Electricity Act 1989; and • Marine Licence(s) under Marine Scotland Act 2010 and Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
Offshore Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report (hereafter, ‘Offshore EIA Report’)	Document prepared to report the findings of the EIA for the Proposed Development and produced in accordance with the EIA Regulations. The Offshore EIA Report is submitted to support the Offshore Application for the Proposed Development, and to comply with EIA Regulations.
Offshore Export Cables	Subsea cables used to transmit electricity generated offshore by the Wind Turbines from the OSPs to shore. The Transition Joint Bay (TJB) is the location where the Offshore Export Cables terminate, and the onshore cabling begins.
Offshore Generation Assets	The infrastructure of the Proposed Development required to generate electricity comprising of the Wind Turbines, Wind Turbine foundations and associated infrastructure (e.g. IACs).
Offshore Infrastructure	All of the Offshore Infrastructure associated with the Proposed Development that is located seaward of MHWS, comprising the Offshore Generation Assets and the Offshore Transmission Assets.
Offshore Scoping Report	The report that presents the findings of the EIA scoping process undertaken for the Proposed Development with the purpose of obtaining a Scoping Opinion. The Offshore Scoping Report defines what is intended to be assessed and reported as part of the EIA.
Offshore Substation Platform(s) (OSPs)	OSPs comprise the support structure, topside and electrical components used for collecting and/or converting electricity generated by the Wind Turbines for transmission by the Offshore Export Cables.
Offshore Transmission Assets	The infrastructure of the Proposed Development required to transmit the generated electricity comprising of the OSPs, Offshore Export Cables and associated infrastructure up to MHWS.
Onshore Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report (hereafter, ‘Onshore EIA Report’)	Document prepared to report the findings of the EIA for the Onshore Infrastructure and produced in accordance with the EIA Regulations. An Onshore EIA was submitted in November 2025 (Planning reference: APP/2025/1952).
Onshore Export Cable Corridor	The area landward of MLWS to the Onshore Substation within which the onshore export cables will be installed and forms part of the Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) Application Boundary.
Onshore Infrastructure	All of the Onshore Infrastructure associated with the Project that is located landward of MLWS.
Onshore Scoping Report	Document prepared to comply with The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 in order to provide information on the potential impacts of the Onshore Transmission Assets.
Onshore Substation	Part of an electrical transmission and distribution system. Substations transform voltage from high to low, or the reverse by means of electrical transformers.
Onshore Transmission Assets	The transmission infrastructure associated with the Project above MLWS which is subject to the Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) Application submitted to Aberdeenshire Council (REF: APP/2025/1952).
Operation and Maintenance (O&M)	The phase of the Proposed Development following completion of construction. This phase of development includes routine inspections, repairs and replacement of infrastructure and equipment (including Interconnector Cables and IACs), Scour Protection replenishment or replacement, major component replacement, painting and/or other coating works, removal of marine growth, and replacement of access ladders.
Option to Lease Agreement (OLA)	An agreement between CES and a developer, permitting the future development of offshore wind within an agreed area.
Oslo-Paris [Convention] (OSPAR)	Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic.
Otter Trawl	A net with large rectangular boards (otter boards) which are used to keep the mouth of the trawl net open. Otter boards are made of timber or steel and are positioned in such a way that the hydrodynamic forces, acting on them when the net is towed along the seabed, pushes them outwards and prevents the mouth of the net from closing.
Palaeocoastline	A former coastline of a past geologic age.
Palaeolandscape	Topographic features of a past geological age.
Particle Motion	Component of the pressure wave comprising the movement of particles within the water or sediment relative to an equilibrium point.
Party	A State becomes a party to a Convention and Optional Protocol by signing and ratifying either instrument or by acceding to them.
Passage Plan	A detailed description of a vessel’s voyage from start to finish, including the route and hazards likely to be encountered along the way.
Pathway	Describes the means or route by which a receptor (such as the seabed) can be affected by an identified impact source (such as Wind Turbine foundations).
Pelagic Fish	Fish which live within the water column, not on or near the seabed or at the coasts.
Pelagic Trawl	A net used to target fish species in the mid-water column.
Piling	The action of installing piles: installation can use various methodologies, the most common of which are impact piling (in which the piles are struck by a “hammer”) and drilling (during which a hole is drilled into the seafloor, the drilling tool is removed, and the pile is slotted into that hole).
Pinnipeds	A species of marine mammals commonly known as seals, are semi-aquatic marine mammals. Seals live in the water, but require land for resting and breeding.
Plan Option Area (POA)	A location identified in the SMP as a preferred area for commercial scale offshore wind development.
Onshore Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) Application Boundary	The red line boundary representing the extent of the PPP application.
Population Viability Analysis (PVA)	Numerical modelling of a population which looks at the difference between the baseline (counterfactual) and impacted scenarios. PVA is used to understand how the population growth rate and population size is affected by the predicted impact.
Port or Harbour	A maritime facility compromising of one or more wharves or loading areas where ships load and discharge cargo or passengers.
Potting	Pots (which may be referred to as creels) are generally rigid structures into which fish or shellfish are guided or enticed through funnels that make entry easy but from which escape is difficult. There are many different styles and designs, each one has been designed to suit the behaviour of its target species.
Practice and Exercise Area (PEXA)	Term used to describe an offshore area used by the military for practice and exercise drills, including submarine exercises and firing practice.
Pre-Application Consultation (PAC)	Pre-Application Consultation with communities and stakeholders with regard to the consent applications for the Project that meets the requirements of Marine Licensing (Pre-application Consultation) (Scotland) Regulations 2013.
Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) Regulations	Marine Licensing (Pre-application Consultation) (Scotland) Regulations 2013.
Prehistoric	Broad period comprising Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age.
Post-Medieval	AD 1560 - 1745.
Primary Surveillance Radar (PSR)	A radar system that measures the bearing and distance of targets using the detected reflections of radio signals.
Programme of Measures	Those actions, defined in detail, which are required to achieve the Environmental Objectives of the WFD within a river basin district.
Project (the)	An overarching term for the Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm (Bowdun OWF) comprising the offshore and onshore infrastructure required to generate and transmit electricity from the Array Area to the onshore GCP. The Project includes the Offshore Generation Assets, the Offshore Transmission Assets and the Onshore Transmission Assets.
Project Design Envelope (PDE)	A description of the range of possible elements that make up the design options for the Proposed Development under consideration when the exact engineering parameters are not yet known.
Proposed Development	Term used to define the Offshore Infrastructure associated with the Project seaward of MHWS for which consent is being sought. Further details of the parameters are included in Volume 1, Chapter 3: Project Description.
Qualifying Features	The features for which a European Site has been officially designated to protect.
Quaternary	The period of geologic time from about 1.8 million years ago to the present, including the part of the Pleistocene (2.58 million to 11,700 BP) and Holocene (11,700 BP to present) Epochs.
Quota	A proportion of the Total Allowable Catch for a fish stock.
Ramsar Site	Wetlands of international importance, designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance 1971.
Receptor-led Effects	Assessment of multiple effects which interact to create inter-related effects on a receptor. Receptor-led Effects might be short term, temporary or transient effects, or incorporate longer-term effects.
Recorded Loss	Dataset entry of a maritime or aviation record that has no specific location attached to them but are given often arbitrary spatial attribution.
Report to Inform Appropriate Assessment (RIAA)	The RIAA provides detailed information to support the process of AA (undertaken by the competent authority) as part of the HRA, which evaluates the potential impacts of a project or plan on European Sites.
Residual Effect	Remaining effects after applying all appropriate Mitigation.
Resilience	The ability to withstand a perturbation by resisting change.
Risk	The likelihood of an adverse event occurring.
River Basin District (RBD)	Administrative area for coordinated water management, composed of multiple river basins (or catchments).
River Basin Management Plan (RBMP)	The purpose of a RBMP is to provide a framework for protecting and enhancing the benefits provided by the water environment.
Safety Zones	An area extending a maximum of 500 m from the central point of a subsea installation in which other vessels are prohibited from entering, except in circumstances outlined within Section 96 of the Energy Act, 2004.
Scallop Dredge	A method to catch scallop using steel dredges with a leading bar fitted with a set of spring-loaded, downward pointing teeth. Behind this toothed bar (sword), a mat of steel rings is fitted. A heavy net cover (back) is laced to the frame, sides and to the after end of the mat to form a bag.
Scheduled Monument	Scheduled Monuments are archaeological sites or monuments of national importance that are legally protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. Their selection, assessment and designation is carried out by Historic Environment Scotland who maintains the schedule. Works to Scheduled Monuments are regulated by Historic Environment Scotland through their Scheduled Monument Consent process.
Scoping Opinion	A document produced by MD-LOT which is issued in response to submission and review of the Offshore Scoping Report. The Scoping Opinion is supported with feedback and advice from consultees, which details what is expected to be included in the Offshore EIA Report and what can be scoped out of the EIA process.
Scoping Workshop	A series of sessions preceding the finalisation of the Offshore Scoping Report to provide an opportunity for the Applicant to consult on the draft scope and for stakeholders to request additional information on key issues.
Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF)	A comprehensive resource designed to support and enhance archaeological research in Scotland. ScARF provides an overview of the current state of research in Scottish archaeology and outlines key research questions and priorities for future study.
Scottish Local Authority	A council constituted under Section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994, providing public services, including planning, and is accountable to their local electorates.
Scottish Marine Area	The area of sea within the seaward limits of the territorial sea of the United Kingdom adjacent to Scotland as defined by the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.
Scottish Ministers (the)	The decision makers with regard to Marine Licence(s) and Section 36 Consent applications in Scottish Offshore Waters and Scottish Marine Area.
Scottish Offshore Waters	The area of sea beyond 12 nm but within the Scottish Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) up to 200 nautical miles from the coast. .
Scottish Renewable Energy Zone (REZ)	The area of the sea within the Scottish Territorial and Offshore Waters that may be utilised for renewable energy production, as specified in the Renewable Energy Zone (Designation of Area) (Scottish Ministers) Order 2005.
Scottish Seine	An encircling net shot in the open sea using very long ropes to lay out the net, and ropes on the seabed prior to towing the net closed and hauling from a boat under its own power.
Scottish Territorial Waters	The territorial waters of Scotland that extend out from MHWS to 12 nm.
ScotWind	ScotWind is ‘plan-led’. There are 20 ScotWind projects with seabed option agreements through the CES to develop offshore wind projects. The first 17 successful projects were announced in April 2022. This means that all sites are within the areas of seabed identified in the Scottish Government’s Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind.
ScotWind Leasing Round	A seabed leasing round run by CES to grant property rights for the seabed in Scottish waters for new commercial scale offshore wind project development. ScotWind Leasing must be sited within POA of the SMP.
Scour Protection	Protective materials installed to avoid sediment being eroded away from the base of the foundations and/or buried subsea cable due to the flow of water.
Seascape Character Type	Defined as landscapes with views of the coast or seas, and coasts and the adjacent marine environment.
Section 36 Consent	Scottish Ministers' consent under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 required to permit the generation and operation of an energy generation station.
Sectoral Marine Plan (SMP)	A plan developed by the Scottish Government which provide the strategically planned spatial footprint for offshore wind development in Scotland.
Sectoral Marine Plan Iterative Plan Review (SMP IPR)	The iterative plan review process as new information becomes available (e.g. consented projects, environmental data, cumulative effects assessment, etc.).
Significance	Effect factor that is determined by the magnitude of impact along with the sensitivity of the receptor.
Site Boundary	The boundary within which all elements of the Proposed Development will be located. The Site Boundary comprises the Array Area and Export Cable Corridor which ends at MHWS.
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)	SACs are areas designated for the conservation of certain plant and animal species listed in the Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.
Special Protection Areas (SPAs)	SPAs are sites that are designated to protect rare or vulnerable birds (as listed on Annex I of the Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds), as well as regularly occurring migratory species.
Spring Tidal Excursion	The distance suspended sediment is transported prior to being carried back on the returning tide.
Statutory Nature Conservation Body (SNCB)	A statutory adviser to the UK and Scottish Governments on Scottish, UK and international nature conservation.
Study Area	For each environmental topic, the baseline environment will be characterised, and the potential environmental impacts will be described within a topic-specific study area. Specific study areas are defined for each topic and are based on the maximum spatial extent across which potential impacts of the Project may be experienced by the relevant receptors (i.e. Zone of Influence).
Sublittoral	Areas of the marine environment that lie below the low tide mark to the edge of the continental shelf.
Subtidal	Areas of the coastal marine environment that lie below the level of MLWS and are continuously submerged by seawater.
Surface Water	Waters on the land surface (such as reservoirs, lakes, rivers, transitional waters, coastal waters) within a river basin.
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)	Drainage systems designed to manage water systems in close alignment to natural hydrology processes.
Swept Area Ratio	Swept Area Ratio (derived from Vessel Monitoring System data) indicates the number of times per annum that a fishing gear makes contact with (or sweeps) the seabed surface. Surface Swept Area Ratio provides a proxy for fishing intensity.
Temporal Overlap	The time period during which the effects of multiple projects occur simultaneously.
Thistle Wind Partners (TWP)	Company established for the development of the Project.
Tidal Ellipse	The illustration of the variance of tidal currents in horizontal space.
Total Allowable Catch (TAC)	TACs are catch limits, expressed in tonnes or numbers, that are set for some commercial fish stocks.
Transition Joint Bay (TJB)	Used to connect the Offshore Export Cables with the onshore export cables. These are typically concrete lined and are located above MHWS.
Transponder Mandatory Zone	A designated volume of airspace where aircraft are required to carry and operate a functioning transponder. This requirement enhances the visibility of aircraft to Air Traffic Control and other traffic, particularly in complex or busy airspace, for safety purposes.
Unexploded Bomb (UXB)	The term UXB refers to any WWII aerial-delivered unexploded bomb, torpedo, projectile or mine consisting of a complete ferrous casing (without tailfins) weighing 50 kg or greater.
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)	Explosive ordnance that has been primed, fused, armed or otherwise prepared for action, and which has been fired, dropped, launched, projected or placed in such a manner as to constitute a threat to the safety and/or security of people, animals, property or material and remains unexploded either by malfunction or design or for any other reason.
Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)	A system used in commercial fishing to allow environmental and fisheries regulatory organisations to monitor, minimally, the position, time at a position, and course and speed of fishing vessels.
Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)	A marine traffic monitoring system established by port authorities to manage vessel movements and safety.
Visual Flight Rules (VFR)	The set of rules that govern aircraft flying clear of cloud and in good visibility.
Vivier	Vivier crabbers are generally larger vessels with the ability to retain large numbers of live crab onboard in storage tanks.
Wasp-waist	The term Wasp-waist refers to a specific structure in marine ecosystems where a few abundant short lived species occupy an intermediate trophic level, forming a narrow 'waist' through which energy flow from low to high trophic levels is controlled.
Water Framework Directive (WFD)	Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for community action in the field of water policy. The WFD promotes water management through river basin planning. It covers inland surface waters, estuarine waters, coastal waters and groundwater.
Wind Turbines	Structures comprising of a tubular tower, rotor blades, and a nacelle which houses the Wind Turbine generator.
World Heritage Site	World Heritage Sites are internationally important cultural and/or natural heritage sites which have been inscribed for their ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ (OUV). Though no additional statutory controls result from world heritage designation, the impact of proposed development upon the outstanding universal value, including its authenticity and integrity of a World Heritage Site and its setting, is a material consideration in determining planning applications. Their assessment and designation is carried out by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) based on advice from State Parties and the relevant devolved Government.
Zone of Influence	The geographical area within which the Proposed Development may have environmental effects.
Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV)	A computer-generated tool to identify the likely (or theoretical) extent of visibility of a development. The elevation (or a set of elevations) of the development is tested against a 3D terrain model.