We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Publication - Impact assessment

Planning Scotland's Seas: 2013 - The Scottish Marine Protected Area Project – Developing the Evidence Base for Impact Assessments and the Sustainability Appraisal Final Report - Appendix E - Marine Site Reports

Published
19 August 2013
Topic
Marine and fisheries
ISBN
9781782567585

This is Appendix E for the pMPA Impact and Sustainability Report containing the detailed site by site reports. Published separately due to size.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Geikie Slide and Hebridean Slope ( GSH)

Site Area (km 2): 2,269

Site Summary

Table 1. Summary of Proposed Protected Features, Data Confidence and Conservation Objectives [ GSH]
Proposed protected features
Biodiversity Features
Burrowed mud, offshore subtidal sands and gravels, offshore deep sea muds, continental slope.

Geodiversity Features
Submarine Mass Movement - slide deposits, slide scars.

Site Description
The Geikie Slide and Hebridean Slope MPA proposal is an offshore area located to the north west of the Outer Hebrides. The possible MPA extents from the continental shelf, down the Hebridean slope and into the Rockall Trough.

Potential Alternative Designations
The possible MPA is considered to offer an equivalent contribution to the MPA network as the South West Sula Sgeir and Hebridean Slope possible MPA. Only one of these two designations would therefore be required to be designated.
Summary of confidence in presence, extent and condition of proposed protected features and conservation objectives
Proposed Protected Feature Estimated Area of Feature (by scenario) (km 2) Confidence in
Feature Presence 		Confidence in
Feature Extent 		Confidence in
Feature Condition 		Conservation Objective and Risk
Biodiversity Features
Burrowed mud Lower: 866.75
Intermediate: 866.75
Upper: 1289.32		 Partial (Marine Scotland Science survey data, 2000 - 2009). Partial (inconsistencies between data records and predicted habitat map) Low Conserve (uncertain)
Offshore subtidal sands and gravels Lower: 608.78
Intermediate: 608.78
Upper: 984.99		 Yes ( UK SeaMap, 2010; BSG PSA, provided 2012; Marine Scotland Science survey data, 2000 - 2009) Partial (as above) Low Conserve (uncertain)
Offshore deep sea muds Lower: 687.72
Intermediate: 687.72
Upper: 1110.3		 Yes ( UK SeaMap, 2010; BSG PSA, provided 2012; Hughes et al., 2011; Marine Scotland Science survey data, 2000 - 2009) Partial (as above) Low Conserve (uncertain)
Continental slope Not considered as not thought to be sensitive to pressures associated with human activity Yes ( UK SeaMap, 2010) Partial (as above) Low Conserve (uncertain)
Geodiversity Features
Submarine Mass Movement - slide deposits, slide scars Slide Deposits: 500.86
Slide Scars: 60.92		 Yes Yes Low Conserve (uncertain)
Key: * Estimated area based on best available data
References:
Area of Features: GeMS
Confidence in biodiversity feature presence and extent: JNCC (2012e)
Confidence in biodiversity feature condition: JNCC (2013) pers. comm.
Confidence in geodiversity feature presence and extent: Brooks et al. (2012)
Confidence in geodiversity feature condition: Brooks et al. (2012)

Summary of Costs and Benefits

Table 2a. Site-Specific Economic Costs on Human Activities arising from the Designation and Management of the Site as an MPA (present value of total costs over 2014 to 2033 inclusive) [ GSH]
Human Activity Cost Impact on Activity
Lower Estimate (£Million) Intermediate Estimate (£Million) Upper Estimate (£Million)
Quantified Economic Costs (Discounted)
Commercial Fisheries* 0.000 4.937 7.058
Military See national costs See national costs See national costs
Total Quantified Economic Costs 0.000 4.937 7.058
Non-Quantified Economic Costs
Commercial Fisheries
  • None.
  • Loss of value of catches from non- UK vessels; and
  • Displacement impacts.
  • Loss of value of catches from non- UK vessels; and
  • Displacement impacts.
Military
  • See national assessment.
  • See national assessment.
  • See national assessment.
Note: For detailed information on economic cost impacts on activities, see Table 4.
* These estimates (present value of total change in GVA) assume zero displacement of fishing activity and hence are likely to overestimate the costs.
Table 2b. Site-Specific Public Sector Costs arising from the Designation and Management of the Site as an MPA (over 2014 to 2033 inclusive) [ GSH]
Description Public Sector Costs
Lower Estimate (£Million) Intermediate Estimate (£Million) Upper Estimate (£Million)
Quantified Public Sector Costs (Discounted)
Preparation of Marine Management Schemes None None None
Preparation of Statutory Instruments None 0.005 0.005
Development of voluntary measures National assessment National assessment National assessment
Site monitoring National assessment National assessment National assessment
Compliance and enforcement National assessment National assessment National assessment
Promotion of public understanding National assessment National assessment National assessment
Regulatory and advisory costs associated with licensing decisions None None None
Total Quantified Public Sector Costs 0.000 0.005 0.005
Non-Quantified Public Sector Costs
None identified.
Table 2c. Summary of Social Impacts and Distribution of Quantified Impacts arising from the Designation and Management of the Site as an MPA (over 2014 to 2033 inclusive) [ GSH]
Key Areas of Social Impact Description Scale of Expected Impact across Scenarios, Average (mean no. of jobs affected) Distributional Analysis
Location Fishing Groups Predominantly Affected Social Groups Affected
Region Port Rural/ Urban/ Island Gear Types Most Affected Vessels most affected Crofters Ethnic minorities With disability or long term sick
Employment with consequent impacts on: Health, Crime, Environment, and Culture and Heritage Commercial fisheries - Loss of jobs (direct and indirect) Lower: 0 jobs
Intermediate: 9 jobs
Upper: 12 jobs		 North East
North
North West
North West
North East		 Fraserburgh
Kirkwall
Lochinver
Mallaig Peterhead		 Impacts concentrated in island, rural and urban coastal areas Whitefish trawls, Other gears Lower: N/A Upper: <15m (may be over-estimate) No Impact. No breakdown of fisherman employment by ethnic origin. Unlikely to be employed in fisheries.
Note: For detailed information on socio-economic impacts by sector, see Table 7a. For more detailed information on distributional impacts of quantified costs by sector see Tables 7b and 7c.
Table 2d. Site-Specific Benefits arising from the Designation and Management of the Site as an MPA (over 2014 to 2033 inclusive) [ GSH]
Benefit Description
Ecosystem Services Benefits (Moderate and High Benefits) Relevance Scale of Benefits
Fish for human consumption Moderate. The site provides supporting services, including contribution to food webs. Nil - Moderate
Fish for non-human consumption
Non-use value of natural environment Nil - Low Low - Moderate
Other Benefits
None identified
Note: For detailed information on ecosystem services benefits, see Tables 9 and 10. For detailed information on other benefits, see Table 5 (activities that would benefit) and Table 8 (contribution to ecologically-coherent network).

Summary of Overlaps and Interactions between Proposed Designated Features and Human Activities

Table 3. Overlaps and Potential Interactions between Features and Activities under different Scenarios, indicating need for Assessment of Cost Impacts on Human Activities from Designation of the Site as an MPA [ GSH]
Aggregates Aquaculture (Finfish) Aquaculture (Shellfish) Aviation Carbon Capture & Storage Coastal Protection Commercial Fisheries Energy Generation Military Activities Oil & Gas Ports & Harbours Power Interconnectors Recreational Boating Shipping Telecom Cables Tourism Water Sports
Biodiversity Features
Burrowed mud - - - - - - L/ I/U - L/I/U - - - - - - - -
Offshore subtidal sands and gravels - - - - - - L/ I/U - U - - - - - - - -
Offshore deep sea muds - - - - - - L/ I/U - L/I/U - - - - - - - -
Geodiversity Features
Submarine Mass Movement - slide deposits Considered to have a low sensitivity to the pressures associated with human activities they are currently exposed and likely to be exposed to in the future; thus, not considered in the context of management.
Submarine Mass Movement - slide scars
Note: L = Lower Scenario; I = Intermediate Scenario; U = Upper Scenario. Normal font indicates that there is an overlap between the activity and proposed protected feature under that scenario, bold indicates that the overlap results in a potential interaction between the activity and proposed protected feature that has resulted in cost impacts under that scenario.
For detail of management measures assessed under each scenario for each activity, and results of the cost estimates, see Table 4.

Human Activity Summaries

Human activities that would be impacted by designation of the site as an MPA

Table 4a. Commercial Fisheries (assuming zero displacement of fishing activity) [ GSH]

According to VMS-based estimates and ICES rectangle landings statistics, lines, pelagic trawls, whitefish trawls and other trawls (over-15m) and whitefish trawls, lines, pelagic trawls and other gear (under-15m vessels) operate within the GSH proposed MPA. The value of catches from the GSH area was £1.35 million (over-15m vessels) and £1.77 million (under-15m vessels, indicated from ICES rectangle landings data) (annual average for 2007-2011, 2012 prices). Landings from the over-15m vessels are predominantly into Peterhead (36% by value), Ullapool (26%), Lochinver (14%) and Kinochbervie (8%). For the over-15m fleet, lines operate in particular in the central part of the proposed MPA, while whitefish trawlers operate to the north and south of this central area across areas of offshore deep sea mud and offshore subtidal sands and gravels.

Non- UK VMS ping data indicate that 75 foreign vessels were active in the GSH area in 2012: 28 from Norway; 18 from France; 13 from Sweden; 9 from Ireland; 3 from the Netherlands; 2 from Germany and 1 from Denmark and from the Faroe Islands. Of the EU vessels fishing with mobile bottom contact gear (bottom trawls and seines, which may be affected by management measures assessed under the intermediate and upper scenarios), there were 6 French vessels, 4 Spanish vessels, 2 Irish vessels and 1 Danish vessel. No information on gear types used by the Norwegian of Faroese vessels was available.

Information submitted by the French ministry indicated that 15 vessels in 2008, and 14 vessels in 2011, fished in the proposed MPA area. These were predominantly demersal trawlers and predominantly 24-40m, with some netters, purse seiners and pelagic trawlers. Target species were hake, black scabbardfish, anglerfish, grenadiers and blue ling, with catches worth €1.518 million in 2008 and €1.471 million in 2011. The vessels originated from Lorient, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Bayonne, Fécamp Concarneau and La Rochelle ports, but had their home ports at Lochinver, Lorient, Concarneau, Ullapool, Scrabster, Castletown, Ijmuiden and Calais (in 2011). Between 3 and 5% of their turnover was dependent on fishing in the proposed MPA area, and they accounted for 201 FTE jobs on board in 2011.

Provisional ScotMap data do not indicate any under-15m vessel activity in the GSH proposed MPA. The cost estimates for the under-15m sector may be overestimates, as the 'under-15m' length group in the ICES rectangle landings data may include cases where information on vessel length and/or administrative port is missing from landings returns.

Management measures for the scenarios have been developed based on the sensitivity and vulnerability of the features to the pressures caused by different gear types and based on JNCC recommendations.

Unlike most other sectors, the potential cost of designation on commercial fisheries is a loss or displacement of current (and future) output, caused by restrictions on fishing activities. Any decrease in output will, all else being equal, reduce the Gross Value Added ( GVA) generated by the sector and have knock-on effects on the GVA generated by those industries that supply commercial fishing vessels. The costs estimates for this sector have therefore been estimated in terms of GVA.

GVA estimates have been generated by applying fleet segment-specific 'GVA/total income' ratios to the value of landings affected. The GVA ratios have been calculated using data on total income and GVA from the Sea Fish Industry Authority Multi-year Fleet Economic Performance Dataset (published March 2013). Further details on the GVA ratios and the methodology for estimating GVA and employment impacts applied are presented in Appendix C7.

It is important to note that all costs presented below assume that all affected landings are lost, that is, there is no displacement of fishing activity to alternative fishing grounds. In reality, some displacement is likely to occur and hence the cost, GVA and employment impacts presented in this table are likely to overestimate the costs.
Economic Costs on the Activity of Designation of the Site as an MPA
Lower Estimate Intermediate Estimate Upper Estimate
Assumptions for cost impacts
  • No additional management.
  • Closure to mobile bottom-contact gear (whitefish, nephrops and other trawls and seines, beam trawls and dredges) across the MPA, with the exception of depth corridors where all gears are permitted between 300-600m and 1200-1500m depth.
  • Closure to mobile bottom-contact gear (whitefish, nephrops and other trawls and seines, beam trawls and dredges) across full extent of MPA.
Description of one-off costs
  • None.
  • None.
  • None.
Description of recurring costs
  • None.
  • Loss of >15m fishing income (annual values, £ million, 2012 prices):
  • All affected gears (0.441).
  • Loss of <15m fishing income (annual values, £ million, 2012 prices):
  • All affected gears (0.341).
  • Loss of >15m fishing income (annual values, £ million, 2012 prices):
  • All affected gears (0.480).
  • Loss of <15m fishing income (annual values, £ million, 2012 prices):
  • All affected gears (0.611).
Description of non-quantified costs
  • None.
  • Loss of value of catches from non- UK vessels using bottom contact gears in the proposed MPA (France (6 vessels), Spain (4 vessels), Ireland (2 vessels), Denmark (1 vessel), and possibly Norway (28 vessels) and Faroe Islands (1 vessel)); and
  • Displacement effects, including conflict with other fishing vessels, environmental impacts in targeting new areas, longer steaming times and increased fuel costs, changes in costs and earnings, gear development and adaptation costs, and additional quota costs.
  • Loss of value of catches from non- UK vessels using bottom contact gears in the proposed MPA (France (6 vessels), Spain (4 vessels), Ireland (2 vessels), Denmark (1 vessel), and possibly Norway (28 vessels) and Faroe Islands (1 vessel)); and
  • Displacement effects, including conflict with other fishing vessels, environmental impacts in targeting new areas, longer steaming times and increased fuel costs, changes in costs and earnings, gear development and adaptation costs, and additional quota costs.
Quantified Costs on the Activity of Designation of the Site as an MPA (£Million)
Total costs (2014-2033) 0.000 15.633 21.807
Average annual costs 0.000 0.782 1.090
Present value of total costs (2014-2033) 0.000 11.498 16.039
Economic Impacts (£Million)
Total change in GVA (2014-2033) 0.000 6.713 9.596
Average annual change to GVA 0.000 0.336 0.480
Present value of total change in GVA (2014-2033) 0.000 4.937 7.058
Direct and Indirect reduction in Employment 0.0 jobs 8.9 jobs 12.4 jobs
Total costs = Sum of one-off costs and recurring costs for the site summed over the 20 year period.
Average annual costs = Total costs divided by the total number of years under analysis ( i.e. 20).
Present value of total costs = Total costs discounted to their current value, using a discount rate of 3.5%.
Total change in GVA (2014-2033) = The change in direct GVA in the sector for the site summed over the 20 year period.
Average annual change to GVA = Total change in direct GVA in the sector for the site divided by the total number of years under analysis ( i.e. 20).
Present value of total change in GVA (2014-2033) = Total change in direct GVA in the sector for the site discounted to current value, using a discount rate of 3.5%.
Direct and Indirect reduction in Employment = The average (mean) reduction in direct employment in the sector plus the indirect reduction in employment on the sector's suppliers.
Table 4b. Military [ GSH]

Three military exercise areas (Hebrides (missile firing, pilotless target aircraft) and two firing danger areas (both labelled D701A but comprising two areas)) overlap with the GSH proposed MPA. The Hebrides military practice area overlaps with burrowed mud (all scenarios), offshore deep sea muds (all scenarios) and offshore subtidal sands and gravels (upper scenario only). Both firing danger areas overlaps with burrowed mud (all scenarios) and offshore deep sea muds (all scenarios). One of the firing ranges also overlaps with offshore subtidal sands and gravels (upper scenario only).

The features and associated habitats which overlap with the military practice areas have not been described as vulnerable to MoD activities in this proposed MPA. It is assumed that management relating to MoD activity will be coordinated through the MoD's Maritime Environmental Sustainability Appraisal Tool ( MESAT) which the MoD uses to assist in meeting its environmental obligations. This process will include operational guidance to reduce significant impacts of military activities on MPAs. It is assumed that the MoD will incur additional costs in adjusting MESAT and other MoD environmental assessment tools in order to consider whether its activities will impact on the conservation objectives of MPAs and also incur additional costs in adjusting electronic charts to consider MPAs. However, these costs will be incurred at national level and hence no site-specific cost assessments have been made.
Economic Costs on the Activity of Designation of the Site as an MPA
Lower Estimate Intermediate Estimate Upper Estimate
Assumptions for cost impacts
  • See National Assessment.
  • See National Assessment.
  • See National Assessment.
Description of one-off costs
Description of recurring costs
Description of non-quantified costs
Quantified Costs on the Activity of Designation of the Site as an MPA (£Million)
Total costs (2014-2033) See national costs See national costs See national costs
Average annual costs See national costs See national costs See national costs
Present value of total costs (2014-2033) See national costs See national costs See national costs
Total costs = Sum of one-off costs and recurring costs for the site summed over the 20 year period.
Average annual costs = Total costs divided by the total number of years under analysis ( i.e. 20).
Present value of total costs = Total costs discounted to their current value, using a discount rate of 3.5%.

Human activities that would benefit from designation of the site as an MPA

Table 5. Human Activities that would Benefit from Designation of the Site as an MPA [ GSH]
Activity Lower Estimate Intermediate Estimate Upper Estimate
None identified.

Human activities that are present but which would be unaffected by designation of the site as an MPA

Table 6. Human Activities that are Present but which would be Unaffected by Designation of the Site as an MPA [ GSH]
Activity Description
None identified.

Social and Distributional Analysis of Impacts from Designation of the Site as an MPA

Table 7a. Social Impacts Associated with Quantified and Non-Quantified Economic Costs [ GSH]
Sector Potential Economic Impacts Economic Costs and GVA ( PV) Area of Social Impact Affected Mitigation Significance of Social impact
Commercial Fisheries Loss of traditional fishing grounds with consequent loss in landings, value of landings and hence GVA Annual Average Loss in Value of Landings*:
Lower: £0.00m
Intermediate: £0.78m
Upper: £1.09m

Annual Average Loss in GVA (direct and indirect)*:
Lower: £0.00m
Intermediate: £0.34m
Upper: £0.48m		 Culture and heritage - impact on traditions from loss of fishing grounds. Health: xx (for individuals affected who do not find alternative employment)
If the loss in GVA significant enough, risk of job losses (direct and indirect) Job Losses*:
Lower: 0.0 jobs
Intermediate: 8.9 jobs
Upper: 12.4 jobs		 A reduction in employment can generate a wide range of social impacts which, in turn, can generate a range of short and long term costs for wider society and the public purse:
  • Healt h (increase in illness, mental stress, loss of self esteem
and risk of depression);
  • Increase in crime; and
  • Reduction in f u ture emp lo y me n t prospects/future earnings.
 Support to retrain those affected and for the promotion of new small businesses in fisheries dependent areas.
Loss of value of catches from non- UK vessels using bottom contact gears in the proposed MPA (France (6 vessels), Spain (4 vessels), Ireland (2 vessels), Denmark (1 vessel), and possibly Norway (28 vessels) and Faroe Islands (1 vessel)) Not quantified Employment - loss of foreign jobs from reduced landings.
Displacement Effects Not quantified Quantified impact on jobs assume worst case scenario ( i.e. no redistribution of effort). In reality displacement effects likely to occur with socio-economic consequences:
  • Empl o y m e nt - reduced employment due to changes in costs and earnings profile of vessels ( e.g. increased fuel costs, gear development and adaption costs, additional quota costs);
  • Conflict/Loss of social cohesion - diminishing fishing grounds may increase conflict with other vessels/gear types, increase social tensions within fishing communities and lead to a loss of social cohesion among fleets. Could also lead to increased operating costs as a result of lost or damaged gear. Equally, gear conflict could reduce where gears are restricted/prohibited;
  • Healt h - increased risks to the safety of fishers and vessels and increased stress due to moving to lesser known areas;
  • E n v ironmental - increased impact in targeting new areas, longer streaming times and increased fuel consumption; and
  • Cul t ur e a nd her i tag e - change in traditional fishing patterns/ activities.
 xx
Impacts: xxx - significant negative effect; xx - possible negative effects; x - minimal negative effect, if any; 0 - no noticeable effect expected.
* These estimates assume zero displacement of fishing activity and hence are likely to overestimate the costs.
Table 7b. Distribution of Quantified Economic Costs for Commercial Fisheries and Fish Processors (assuming zero displacement of fishing activity) - Location, Age and Gender [ GSH]
Sector/Impact Location Age Gender
Region Ports* Rural, Urban, Coastal or Island Children Working Age Pensionable Age Male Female

Commercial Fisheries

Reduction in landed value, GVA and employment

xx

North-East
North
North-West

xx

Largest employment impacts in:

Fraserburgh (72%), Kirkwall (8%), Lochinver (8%), Mallaig (8%), Peterhead (3%)

xx

Coastal and Island

Urban and Rural

xxx

Potentially significant negative effect if parent loses job/becomes unemployed.

xxx

Potentially significant negative effect if individuals lose job/become unemployed.

xx

Potential negative effect if retirees own affected vessels or live in households affected by unemployment.

xxx

0-12 job losses

Potentially significant negative effect on individuals that lose job/ become unemployed.

xxx

Potentially significant negative effect if member of household loses job/ becomes unemployed.

Fish Processors

Reduction in local landings at landing ports

xx

North-East
North-West
North

xx

Peterhead
Kinlochbervie
Scrabster
Ullapool
Lochinver
Fraserburgh

xx

Coastal

Urban and Rural

 xx xx 0 xx xx
Impacts: xxx - significant negative effect; xx - possible negative effects; x - minimal negative effect, if any; 0 - no noticeable effect expected.
* Based on value of landings by home port affected under intermediate scenario.
Table 7c. Distribution of Quantified Economic Costs for Commercial Fisheries and Fish Processors (assuming zero displacement of fishing activity) - Fishing Groups, Income Groups and Social Groups [ GSH]
Sector/Impact Fishing Groups Income Groups Social Groups
Vessel Category <15m >15m* Gear Types/Sector* 10% Most Deprived Middle 80% 10% Most Affluent Crofters Ethnic minorities With Disability or Long-term Sick

Commercial Fisheries

Reduction in landed value, GVA and employment

 Lower: N/A
Upper: <15m (may be over-estimate)		 Whitefish trawls
Other gears		 xx xx

x

Information only available on average incomes not the distribution of income. Therefore, not clear whether this group will be affected.

 0 No breakdown of fisherman employment by ethnic origin.

0

No employment data but unlikely to be employed in fisheries.

Fish Processors

Reduction in local landings at landing ports

 Shellfish: xx
Demersal: xxx
Pelagic: 0		 xx xx 0 0 No breakdown of fisherman employment by ethnic origin.

0

No employment data but unlikely to be employed in fisheries.
Impacts: xxx - significant negative effect; xx - possible negative effects; x - minimal negative effect, if any; 0 - no noticeable effect expected.
* Based on costs to gear types/sectors and vessel categories affected under the intermediate scenario.

Potential Contribution of the Site to an Ecologically-Coherent Network

Table 8. Overview of Features Proposed for Designation and how these contribute to an Ecologically Coherent Network of MPAs [ GSH]
Feature Name Representation Replication Linkages Geographic Range
and Variation 		Resilience
Burrowed mud Provides representation for the seapens and burrowing megafauna type of burrowed mud in OSPAR Region V at the northern extent of its geographical range on the Hebridean slope. Makes a contribution to one of at least two recommended areas of this type of burrowed mud in OSPAR Region V in Scotland's seas. Not currently understood for burrowed mud. Provides representation at the northern extent of its range on the continental slope and off the shelf in OSPAR Region V in Scotland's seas. Burrowed mud is considered to be Threatened and/or Declining by the OSPAR Commission in OSPAR Region V so the MPA is expected to help increase resilience for the feature.
Offshore deep sea muds Provides representation for Atlantic-influenced offshore deep sea mud habitats on the slope in OSPAR Region V. Represents one of at least two examples of slope Atlantic-influenced offshore deep sea mud habitats recommended for protection in OSPAR Region V. Not currently understood for offshore deep sea muds. Provides representation of Atlantic influenced offshore deep sea muds at the northern extent of their range in OSPAR Region V. Offshore deep sea muds are fairly widely recorded across offshore waters in Scotland's seas.
Offshore subtidal sands and gravels Provides representation for Atlantic-influenced offshore subtidal sand and gravel habitats predominantly on the slope in OSPAR Region V, but also to a small extent on the shelf in OSPAR Region III. It represents one of at least two recommended examples of Atlantic influenced slope and shelf offshore, subtidal sand and gravel habitats to be protected in OSPAR Regions V & III respectively. Not currently understood for offshore subtidal sands and gravels. Provides representation at the northern extent of its range on the continental slope and on the shelf in OSPAR Regions V & III respectively in Scotland's seas. Offshore subtidal sands and gravels are fairly widely recorded across offshore waters in Scotland's seas.
Continental slope The possible MPA provides representation for one of two recommended areas of the Scottish continental slope to be included within the MPA network. The Hebridean slope is considered ecologically and hydrographically distinct to the Faroe-Shetland Channel slope and so the recommendation is for at least one example of each area of the slope to be included. Not currently understood for the continental slope. The Hebridean slope is considered ecologically and hydrographically distinct to the Faroe-Shetland Channel slope. This possible MPA represents one example of the Hebridean slope. The continental slope occurs between Scotland's shelf and off-shelf environment.
JNCC (pers. comm.); SNH and JNCC. (2012). Assessment of the potential adequacy of the Scottish MPA network for MPA search features: summary of the application of the stage 5 selection guidelines.
Available online from: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-environment/mpanetwork/engagement/270612.

Anticipated Benefits to Ecosystem Services

Table 9. Summary of Ecosystem Services Benefits arising from Designation of the Site as an MPA [24] [ GSH]
Services Relevance
to Site 		Baseline Level Estimated Impacts of Designation Value Weighting Scale of Benefits Confidence
Lower Intermediate Upper
Fish for human consumption Moderate. Habitats make contribution to food webs. Stocks not at MSY Nil Low - Moderate, promotes stocks in medium/long term. Features provide moderate level of supporting services to support recovery. High - fishing grounds are of high value Nil - Moderate Moderate
Fish for non-human consumption Stocks reduced from potential maximum
Gas and climate regulation Nil - Low Nil - Low Nil, or at best a very low level of protection of parts of ecosystem providing these services. Low Nil - Low High
Natural hazard protection Nil - Low Nil - Low Low Nil - Low High
Regulation of pollution Nil - Low (although does regulate sediment quality) Nil - Low Low Nil - Low High
Non-use value of natural environment Low - Moderate Low - Moderate Nil - Low Low Low - Moderate Low - Moderate Low - Moderate Low
Recreation Nil Nil Nil Low Nil Moderate
Research and Education Minimal Minimal Minimal Low Low Low Minimal Low
Total value of changes in ecosystem services Change in values are dominated by those services that support fish, this is only present for intermediate and upper scenarios. Moderate Moderate

Human Activities which Occur within the Proposed MPA Geikie Slide and Hebridean Slope

Human Activities which Occur within the Proposed MPA Geikie Slide and Hebridean Slope

Contact

Back to top