2013 Cefas Subtidal Verification Survey South Dorset MCZ

The South Dorset MCZ is located approximately 17.5 km south of St Alban’s (St Aldhelm’s) Head, to the south-east of Swanage (Figure 1). The South Dorset recommended Reference Area (rRA) sits within this site. The South Dorset MCZ was included in the proposed network because of its contribution to Ecological Network Guidance (ENG) criteria to broadscale habitats (BSH), and its added ecological importance. Prioritisation of rMCZ sites for further evidence collection was informed by a gap analysis and evidence assessment. The prime objective was to elevate the confidence status for as many rMCZs as feasible to support designation in terms of the amount and quality of evidence for the presence and extent of broadscale habitat features and habitat FOCI and, where possible, species FOCI. The confidence status was originally assessed in the SADs according to Technical Protocol E (Natural England and the JNCC, 2012). The confidence score for the presence and extent of broadscale habitats and habitat FOCI reported for the South Dorset rMCZ was considered to be Low to Moderate (Lieberknecht et al., 2011; JNCC and Natural England, 2012). This site was therefore prioritised for additional evidence collection. The overall survey aim was to collect acoustic and groundtruthing data to allow the production of an updated map which could be used to inform the presence of broadscale habitats and habitat FOCI, and to allow estimates to be made of their spatial extent within the rMCZ1. Secondary Objectives -To provide evidence, where possible, of the presence of species FOCI listed within the ENG (Annexes 3 and 4) within the rMCZ. -To report evidence of human activity occurring within the rMCZ observed during the course of the survey.