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Using the Seabird Oil Sensitivity Index to inform contingency planning 2018

Abstract

The Oil Vulnerability Index (OVI) (JNCC 1999) has been updated using recent survey data (from 1995-2015) and includes an improved method to calculate a single measure of seabird sensitivity to oil pollution. This new index (named the Seabird Oil Sensitivity Index or ‘SOSI’) identifies areas at sea where seabirds are likely to be most sensitive to oil pollution. It is intended to be employed by a range of users to inform contingency planning and emergency decision making with regards to oil pollution incidents.

The quantity of data underlying the SOSI is considerably lower than that of the previous OVI. This has resulted in the SOSI having poor coverage in some months. Coverage gaps may cause issues when users try to obtain seabird sensitivity information for Oil and Gas Licence Blocks that lack data. This document provides guidance on how those gaps can be populated in order to inform environmental statements, oil pollution emergency plans and other environmental applications.

Further information is available in the SOSI Report, which is accompanied by a set of GIS files and user guide.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Oceans

Reference date 2018·01·01

Lineage
Data for the SOSI include seabird survey data collected between 1995 and 2015, from a wide survey area extending beyond the UK Continental Shelf using boat-based, visual aerial, and digital video aerial survey techniques

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints The Seabird Oil Sensitivity Index (SOSI) Update data developed by HiDef and for a Steering Group facilitated by Oil & Gas UK is provided by Oil & Gas UK in good faith to JNCC, but Oil & Gas UK accepts no responsibility for any damage or losses that may arise from use of this SOSI dataset. Copyright in this material rests with Oil & Gas UK, and Oil & Gas UK supports the free distribution of the dataset through JNCC provided it is not marketed, distributed or sold as a commercial product by JNCC or users of the dataset.

Metadata date 2020·05·01

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

Temporal extent 1995·01·01 2016·01·01

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