This dataset shows broad marine habitats in Cork Harbour. The map was made from an interpretation of multibeam acoustic imagery and groundtruthed using sediment samples. The MBES data and sediment samples were collected as part of the Irish national seabed mapping programme - INFOMAR.

This dataset shows broad marine habitats in Kinsale Harbour and outer coastal area. The map was made from an interpretation of multibeam acoustic imagery and groundtruthed using sediment samples. The MBES data and sediment samples were collected as part of the Irish national seabed mapping programme - INFOMAR.

This dataset shows broad marine habitats in Broadhaven Bay. The map was made from an interpretation of multibeam acoustic imagery and groundtruthed using sediment samples. The MBES data and sediment samples were collected as part of the Irish national seabed mapping programme - INFOMAR.

This report details the findings of dedicated seabed surveys at the Utopia recommended Marine Conservation Zone (rMCZ). The site is being considered for inclusion in a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in UK waters designed to meet conservation objectives under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Prior to the dedicated surveys the site assessment had been made on the basis of best available evidence drawn largely from historical data modelled habitat maps and stakeholder knowledge of the area. The purpose of the survey was to provide direct evidence of the presence and extent of the broadscale habitats (BSH) and habitat FOCI (Features of Conservation Importance) that had been detailed in the original Site Assessment Document (SAD) (Balanced Seas 2011).

The Alde, Ore and Butley Estuaries SAC is nationally and internationally important due its populations of breeding and overwintering birds. Within the Alde, Ore and Butley Estuaries there is a range of littoral sediment and rock biotopes (the latter on sea defences) that are of high diversity and species richness for estuaries in eastern England. Water quality is excellent throughout. The area is relatively natural, being largely undeveloped by man and with very limited industrial activity. The estuary contains large areas of shallow water over subtidal sediments, and extensive mudflats and saltmarshes exposed at low water. Its diverse and species-rich intertidal sand and mudflat biotopes grade naturally along many lengths of the shore into vegetated or dynamic shingle habitat, saltmarsh, grassland and reedbed. The features associated with the Alde-Ore and Butley Estuary are subtidal sediment communities including, Mid-shore areas of mixed substrata, covered by a blanket of the ephemeral algae Ulva lactuca and Enteromorpha spp. Tide swept communities present on the low shore, where the Alde joins the Butley, featuresanemones Sagartia spp., the peacock worm Sabella pavonina, the slipper limpet Crepidula fornicata and red algae. Well-sorted mud on the low shore throughout the estuary with a range of polychaetes.