Seabed and foreshore mapping by industry

The lack of accurate data on the precise location of key habitats and species of marine conservation interest is constraining and sometimes preventing the continuation and development of fisheries and shellfish farms in protected marine sites throughout the UK.

Seafish has produced guidance on how to collect basic environmental data in order to demonstrate how fishing and shellfish cultivation can be compatible with marine conservation objectives.

Approach   

• In order to address information shortfalls, the catch and aquaculture sectors need to know how to collect environmental information at a standard that will be acceptable to both the authority that issues permission for a fishery / shellfish farm, the nature conservation agencies who advise on environmental assessments and non-government organisations that may have a particular interest in the proposed shellfish farm site.
• By working with all parties a series of 'Standard Sampling Operating Procedures' has been developed for industry to collect and present basic environmental information to inform management plans and statutory environmental assessments. To ensure fishermen and shellfish farmers are able to collect environmental information, the survey methodologies are straightforward and relatively inexpensive.
• Basic environmental information, such as the distribution of site features, will allow fishermen and shellfish farmers to suggest measures to prevent or reduce damage or disturbance to an acceptable level. These measures include avoiding contact with vulnerable benthic features such as eel grass and stipulating acceptable modes of transport, access points, access routes and frequency of access to a shellfish farm.

Key documents

• Environmental Data Gathering for Environmental Assessments - Basic Seabed Habitat Mapping using Acoustic Ground Discrimination Sonar and Underwater Video
• Seafish Standard Sampling Operating Procedure -Basic Video Mapping Seabed Habitats
• Seafish Standard Sampling Operating Procedure  - Basic Intertidal Habitat Mapping

For further information contact:

Mark Gray
Environmental Assessment Support Officer
t: 01248 605038
e: m_gray@seafish.co.uk