Geological Survey Ireland

Synthesis and development of advisory products: SeaRover Phase 3

jkeane — Fri, 01 May 2020 14:01:01 +0000

Synthesis and development of advisory products: SeaRover Phase 3

Consistent with sub-article 6.2 of the Habitats Directive (EC 92/43/EEC), which requires member states to take measures to avoid deterioration of protected habitats, Ireland has undertaken three mapping surveys of offshore reefs between 2017 and 2019 to evaluate status and introduce conservation and management measures in proportion to status and pressures from fishing. This study has been identified as highest priority by DAHG for the marine environment and is based on a letter by DAHCG to DAFM (attached). The spatial distribution of vulnerable marine habitats is also a critical data requirement for the implementation of marine management policies such as the CFP, the MSFD and MSP.

The EMFF Offshore Reef project, SeaRover (Sensitive ecosystem Assessment & ROV Exploration of Reef) was a three-year project (2017-2019) that was co-ordinated and led by Irelands Marine Institute and INFOMAR and funded by the European Maritime & Fisheries Fund Marine Biodiversity Scheme and the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS). Project objectives were to map offshore reef habitats with a view to protecting them from deterioration due to fishing pressures.

In total 154 separate locations were surveyed by ROV over 63 days at sea between 2017 – 2019 targeting seabed depths between 150 m and 3000 m. This included 27 sites within Irelands six offshore SACs and the collection of 336 hours of HD footage of the seabed, 122 sediment samples and 211 biological samples that will enable future studies into the ecological diversity of the northeast Atlantic. The project involved collaboration across three government departments, numerous agencies and international academic research groups including those based locally in Galway

This project will synthesise the output of all three surveys and, in consultation with the most important end-users, map out how the data should be disseminated, analysed and developed into products and tools used for policy support. This will facilitate contribution to the provision of conservation objectives for the offshore Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) work carried out by NPWS, and will fulfil the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) obligations to map vulnerable fisheries resources.

On a national level, the critical end users are DAFM, DCHG, DPHLG, DCCAE. On an international level, the end-users include ICES, OSPAR and the EU. The National Biodiversity Centre will be included in the consultation to maximise existing dissemination tools.

jkeane Fri, 05/01/2020 - 14:01

Lead Partner:

National Parks and Wildlife Services

Partners:

INFOMAR

Geological Survey Ireland

National Parks and Wildlife Services

DCHG

Duration:

SeaRover began in 2017 and the final Synthesis phase of the project is due to run in 2020.

Project Outputs:

Synopsis and Synthesis report of the three mapping surveys
Report of internationally best practice on using benthic data to support MPA designation and management
Inclusion of SeaRover Database in the data catalogue for MSP
Web GIS spatial layers including offshore reef layersScoping and development of data products arising from the above to be used for policy support.
Outreach material relating to the above.

Expected Benefit:

Outcome of stakeholder consultation and summary of required data products and dissemination tools for policy support;
Development of data products in support of Habitats Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive, as well as MSP and CFP.
Acquired data sets feed into the MSP interactive tool

Further Information:

Contact: Fergal McGrath. fergal.mcgrath@marine.ie

Project Cost - Projected:

€100,000

Related Projects:

Assessment of fisheries/habitat interaction on offshore reefs: SeaRover Phase 2

SeaRover (Phase 1) Assessment of Fisheries/Habitat Interaction on Offshore Reefs

Project Tags:

Biodiversity

Endangered Species

Fisheries

Phase:

Project Status:

Ongoing

Assessment of fisheries/habitat interaction on offshore reefs: SeaRover Phase 2

jkeane — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 15:12:56 +0000

Assessment of fisheries/habitat interaction on offshore reefs: SeaRover Phase 2

Consistent with sub-article 6.2 of the Habitats Directive (EC 92/43/EEC), which requires member states to take measures to avoid deterioration of protected habitats, Ireland will undertake a further mapping survey of offshore reefs in 2019 to evaluate status and introduce conservation and management measures in proportion to status and pressures from fishing. This study has been identified as highest priority by DAHG for the marine environment and is based on a letter by DAHCG to DAFM (attached).

Under the Habitat’s directive reporting requirements, Ireland has reported to the European Commission that Annex I habitat reef is in unfavourable/bad status in its waters, and this is primarily arising from fisheries-related issues in the offshore resource. Reviewing habitat fisheries interaction and arising conservation requirements is of high priority for offshore reef habitats to fulfil Ireland’s obligation under the habitat’s directive. Existing information and datasets on deep Ireland’s deep reef habitat have been collated to assess the known extent and status of reef in water depths greater than 200m and evaluate sensitivities of deep reef habitats as part of a commissioned desk study by DCHG.

Spatial information on reef habitats was overlaid with VMS data from fishing vessels disaggregated by fishing gear to link potential impact with habitat sensitivity and identify data deficiencies.
The desk study on reef habitats combined with the analysis of terrain data derived from the INFOMAR national seabed survey along with the spatial VMS overlay has formed the basis of reef habitats selected for direct observation as part of reef surveys over the past two years. The surveys are using Ireland’s remote operated vehicle and a drop-frame camera to collect video footage and stills along fixed transects for detailed investigation and mapping of Annex 1 reef
habitat.
Areas of focus are reefs with high conservation value and low interaction of fishing effort.

In selecting new sites to be surveyed for 2019, the following aspects will be taken into account:
1. Existing data records
2. Level of fishing pressure, focussing on low impact sites;
3. Geographical distribution in relation to existing designations.
4. Coverage of sites in 2017 and 2018 as part of SeaRover project Phase 1.

The 2019 survey will visit an existing SAC designation and monitor signs of impact and recovery along transects that have been previously surveyed in 2009. This data will be used to evaluate detection of change and effects of mitigation in designated sites.
The project will be carried out in close collaboration with the Marine Institute (with contribution from the service areas of Advanced Mapping, Fisheries and Research vessel operations) and DAHG to ensure appropriate staff expertise is provided and project objectives are achieved.
Final data analysis, compilation and dissemination will be concluded at the end of the project (2020). A consultation with the most important endusers will be carried out to ensure that that data products and dissemination processes are adequate and fit for purpose.

On a national level, the critical endusers are DAFM, DCHG, DPHLG, DCCAE. On an international level, the endusers include ICES, OSPAR and the EU. The National Biodiversity Centre will be included in the consultation to maximise existing dissemination tools.

jkeane Fri, 02/14/2020 - 15:12

Partners:

INFOMAR

Geological Survey Ireland

National Parks and Wildlife Services

DCHG

Duration:

The project has a 2 year duration and runs between 2019 and 2020.

Project Outputs:

1. Assessment of Irish National Seabed Survey bathymetric data and existing offshore reef data to identify high likelihood of reef distribution.

2. Review of VMS overlay of vessels using bottom impacting gears.

3. Proposed survey design based on fisheries (VMS) habitat interaction of Irish reef habitats >200m.

4. Survey reports of the ROV offshore reef survey.

5. Data output of each reef survey:

I. Drop camera stills and video footage along predefined transects of targeted annex 1 reef habitat.

II. Ground-truthed habitat characterisation and species inventory on transects.

III. Quantitative data on % reef cover

IV. Quantitative data on % living/dead and reef occupation

V. Qualitative assessment of ground truthed pressure impacts.

6. Project reports detailing survey and data analysis results.

7. Data dissemination via web interface including offshore reef web map viewer.

8. Outreach material relating to the above.

Expected Benefit:

1. Characterisation of offshore reef habitat in Irish EEZ at selected sites to include existing designations and areas of low fishing impact and limited data availability
2. Evaluation of fishing impact on reef habitat at selected offshores sites
3. Input data to support reporting requirements for Ireland under the Habitats Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
4. The 2019 survey will visit one of the offshore SACs thus providing comprehensive data for the completion of the site specific conservation objectives for this SAC.
5. Of the six offshore SACs all bar one have been surveyed over the three years of this programme; the last site will be visited in 2019 thus completing the monitoring of all of Ireland’s offshore SACs.

Further Information:

Support for MSFD and Biodiversity Support; 2019 -2020 projects
Contact Fergal McGrath. fergal.mcgrath@marine.ie

Project Cost - Projected:

1,000,000

Project Tags:

Natura fisheries interaction

Support for MSFD and Biodiversity Support

Phase:

Project Status:

Ongoing

SeaRover (Phase 1) Assessment of Fisheries/Habitat Interaction on Offshore Reefs

dkelly — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 07:38:30 +0000

SeaRover (Phase 1) Assessment of Fisheries/Habitat Interaction on Offshore Reefs

As part of the European Habitats Directive (EC 92/43/EEC), Member States need to take measures to avoid deterioration of protected habitats. Ireland is carrying out extensive mapping surveys of offshore reefs to evaluate status and introduce conservation and management measures in proportion to status and pressures from fishing. This study has been identified as high priority by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DCHG) for the marine environment to fulfil Ireland’s obligations under the Habitats Directive.

Under the Habitat’s Directive reporting requirements, Ireland has reported to the European Commission that Annex I habitat reef is in unfavourable/bad status in its waters, and this is primarily arising from fisheries-related issues in the offshore resource. Reviewing habitat fisheries interaction and arising conservation requirements is of high priority for offshore reef habitats. Existing information and datasets on Ireland’s deep reef habitat have been collated to assess the status of reef in water greater than 200m and evaluate sensitivities of deep reef habitats as part of a commissioned desk study by DCHG.

Spatial information on reef habitats were overlaid with activity data from fishing vessels using different gears to link potential impact with habitat sensitivity and identify data deficiencies.

The desk study on reef habitats and spatial fisheries overlay formed the basis of reef habitats to be surveyed as part of two 3 week reef surveys in 2017 and 2018 respectively. The surveys use Ireland’s remote operated vehicle Holland 1 to collect video footage and stills along fixed transects for detailed investigation and mapping of Annex 1 reef habitat. Areas of focus are reefs with high conservation value and low interaction of fishing effort. In selecting new sites to be surveyed, the following aspects were taken into account:

Data availability for pre-screening
Level of fishing pressure, focussing on low impact sites
Geographical distribution in relation to existing designations and certain geomorphological features including canyons and escarpments

The 2017 survey also re-visited an existing SAC designation to monitor signs of impact and recovery along transects originally surveyed in 2009. This data will be used to evaluate detection of change and effects of mitigation in designated sites.

dkelly Wed, 06/27/2018 - 07:38

Partners:

INFOMAR

Geological Survey Ireland

National Parks and Wildlife Services

DCHG

The project is carried out in close collaboration with the Marine Institute (Fisheries Ecosystem Advisory Services and Advanced Mapping Services), INFOMAR, the Geological Survey Ireland and National Parks and Wildlife Services, and their relevant parent departments to ensure appropriate staff expertise is provided and project objectives are achieved. Additional financial contributions are made by DCHG.

Duration:

The project is carried out in two phases. Phase 1 runs between 2017 and 2018 and includes 2 offshore mapping surveys. Phase 2 will run between 2019 and 2020.

Project Outputs:

The project is ongoing. The expected outcomes are listed below:

Assessment of Irish National Seabed Survey and compiled reef habitat data in Irish offshore waters to identify high likelihood of reef distribution
VMS overlay of vessels using bottom impacting gears
Proposed survey design based on fisheries habitat interaction of Irish reef habitats >200m
Survey reports of two 3 week ROV habitat mapping surveys
Data output of each reef survey
Data dissemination via web interphase
Outreach material relating to the above

Expected Benefit:

The video data acquired during the surveys will help to map the extent of sensitive ecosystems in Irish waters and broaden our ecological understanding of these leading to the sustainable management of Ireland’s marine biodiversity. It will further support the:
• Characterisation of offshore reef habitat in the Irish EEZ at selected sites to include existing designations and areas of low fishing impact and limited data availability
• Evaluation of fishing impact on reef habitat at selected offshores sites
• Provide input data to support reporting requirements for Ireland under the Habitats Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Further Information:

Contact David O’Sullivan, Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway at david.osullivan@marine.ie

Project Cost - Projected:

€1,400,000 (with €200,000 contribution from DCHG)

Project Tags:

Natura fisheries interaction

Support for MSFD and Biodiversity Support

Phase: