Quantitative surveys of eelgrass and blue mussel beds are continuing in the Göta River estuary as part of environmental monitoring for the Skandiaporten (Skandia Gateway) project, the Swedish Maritime Administration said on September 24.
The surveys include counting and measuring blue mussels and are intended to provide data on how planned dredging could affect the surrounding marine ecosystem.
Approved by the County Administrative Board, the administration's monitoring programme covers both planned dredging areas and reference sites that are not expected to be affected by the works.
Conducting surveys over several years before dredging begins is intended to capture natural annual variations and establish a baseline for comparison during subsequent monitoring.
“By monitoring eelgrass and blue mussel banks over time, we get a good basis for seeing changes and assessing whether they can be linked to the project's work,” said Maria Carling, environmental specialist at the Swedish Maritime Administration.
This year's surveys were conducted over two weeks in August and September by contracted marine biologists, with field assessments supported by divers and drones.