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 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 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 contains a collation of marine habitat and species biotope records that are held by Natural England. This dataset comprises six sub-datasets: one point dataset and five polygonal. All point records are in the Input_Points sub-dataset. All designated polygon records are in the Input_BSH_Polys sub-dataset with the exception of MCZ HOCI (Input_HOCI_Polys), SAC complex features (Complex_Features_Polys) and AnnexI Coastal Lagoons. The SAC complex subfeatures sub-dataset (Complex_Subfeatures_Polys) contains a duplication of select polygons from Input_BSH_Polys with altered tags for the respective SAC complex feature. All sub-datasets retain similar field structures (see 3 Attribution metadata). This dataset is provided as an ESRI File Geodatabase (GDB) with an ESRI map document (MXD) and structured layer file (LYR). XML files are also provided. This datast is restricted and is provided for the purposes of statutory MPA management only.

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.

Marine Ecological Surveys Ltd (MESL) has been commissioned by Natural England to carryout a desk based study to produce marine habitat maps for the subtidal areas within the Solent Maritime SAC, using available acoustic and ground‐truth data to inform the habitat mapping exercise. The study was designed to allow for a condition assessment of the site’s qualifying features with a specific focus on the subtidal sandbanks, whilst providing data to help inform future management measures of the site.

The Dover to Folkestone rMCZ lies to the west of the Dover Harbour wall, encompassing a narrow stretch of intertidal and subtidal coastline habitat and was proposed by the Balanced Seas project. The Site Assessment Document states that the site covers an area of 20.13 km2 and comprises mostly chalk reefs that grade seawards into coarse sediments. It is also stated that the site contains intertidal and subtidal Blue Mussel beds in addition to Rossworm (Sabellaria spinulosa) reefs. The overall survey aim was to verify the presence of the subtidal features proposed for designation within the Dover to Folkestone rMCZ.

This dataset contains a collation of marine habitat and species biotope records that are held by Natural England. This dataset comprises six sub-datasets: one point dataset and five polygonal. All point records are in the Input_Points sub-dataset. All designated polygon records are in the Input_BSH_Polys sub-dataset with the exception of MCZ HOCI (Input_HOCI_Polys), SAC complex features (Complex_Features_Polys) and AnnexI Coastal Lagoons. The SAC complex subfeatures sub-dataset (Complex_Subfeatures_Polys) contains a duplication of select polygons from Input_BSH_Polys with altered tags for the respective SAC complex feature. All sub-datasets retain similar field structures (see 3 Attribution metadata). This dataset is provided as an ESRI File Geodatabase (GDB) with an ESRI map document (MXD) and structured layer file (LYR). XML files are also provided. This datast is restricted and is provided for the purposes of statutory MPA management only.

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.

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).