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Offshore seabed survey of the Fladen Grounds Scottish possible MPAs 2017

Abstract

This report presents findings from analyses of acoustic data and groundtruth samples gathered during the seabed survey of the Fladen Grounds pMPAs during January 2013

The results of this survey showed that the Fladen Grounds pMPAs are dominated by the broadscale habitat, ‘subtidal mud’. Only Central Fladen pMPA and Central Fladen (core) showed any heterogeneity in terms of broadscale habitat. A deep tunnel valley was observed in the multibeam bathymetry data at Central Fladen pMPA; with the deepest point recorded to be at 293m below chart datum. The tunnel valley was characterised by coarser sediment (‘subtidal mixed sediments’) and as such was characterised by a significantly different infaunal community to the surrounding area. At the edge of the valley, nearing the shallowest region of the Central Fladen pMPA, the southeastern tip was found to comprise ‘subtidal sands’.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2017·06·01

Citation
Eggleton, J., Jenkins, C. & Schinaia, S., (2017), Offshore seabed survey of the Fladen Grounds Scottish possible MPAs - Final Report, JNCC/Cefas Partnership Report Series No. 16, JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 2051-6711.

Lineage
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences and JNCC undertook a dedicated acoustic and groudtruthing survey in January 2013, at the three Fladen Grounds pMPAs.

Responsible organisation
Digital and Data Solutions, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2019·07·26

Metadata point of contact
Digital and Data Solutions, JNCC

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