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Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain MPA Monitoring Report 2015 2020

Abstract

The Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain Nature Conservation MPA (NBSP) is located to the east of Scotland and designated for the protection of two Priority Marine Features (PMFs): ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) aggregations and offshore subtidal sands and gravels (representing sediment types suitable for ocean quahog colonisation). JNCC and Marine Scotland Science completed a survey in November 2015 (1515S) to collect evidence to characterise the site and develop the first point in a monitoring time-series for NBSP.

The survey was designed to gather data to address the following objectives, which are also the objectives of this report:

  • to describe the population distribution of ocean quahog (A. islandica) within NBSP, in addition to the extent and distribution of the supporting habitat, offshore subtidal sands and gravels;
  • to present any evidence of non-indigenous species (MSFD Descriptor 2) and marine litter (MSFD Descriptor 10) within the site;
  • to recommend future monitoring approaches for the site.

Appendix 18 (Infaunal analysis report) accompanies the report as a separate PDF.

These resources may not be fully accessible for all users. If you need a copy in a different or more accessible format, please contact Communications@jncc.gov.uk.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Oceans

Reference date 2020·06·22

Citation
McCabe, C., McBreen, F. & O’Connor, J. 2020. Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain MPA Monitoring Report 2015. JNCC/MSS Partnership Report No. 4. JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 2634-2081.

Lineage
Offshore seabed survey 1515S, to the East of Gannet and Montrose Fields and the Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain Nature Conservation MPAs, was undertaken by JNCC and Marine Scotland Science (MSS) in November 2015.

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2023·09·05

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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