Review of environmental impacts
New and existing fisheries are being restricted in European Marine Sites – Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protected Areas (SPAs) throughout the UK in order to comply with the EC Habitats Directive.
Fisheries managers are asking the catching sector and aquaculture businesses to supply information on the impact of their operations on the features of these sites as part of the statutory Appropriate Assessment process.
This project has collated factual evidence that will help the industry supply the required information to fisheries managers and nature conservation bodies. It will enable industry to consider how they can mitigate their impact in order to show they are not having a significant adverse effect on the features being conserved. This will enable them to continue to operate in these areas and supply seafood to processors and retailers that has been caught or produced in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Past Projects and associated publications:
Appropriate Assessments Survey Project (2006) - 'European Marine Sites and the Current Impact of Environmental Appropriate Assessments on the Management and Operations of Commercial Fishing and Aquaculture Activities'. Report prepared for the Sea Fish Industry Authority by Dr. Nick Lake. March 2006.
For further information contact:
Mark Gray
Environmental Assessment Support Officer
t: 01248 605038
e: m_gray@seafish.co.uk