Scottish Marine Protected Areas (MPA) monitoring strategy: supporting annexes 1 to 6

Annex 3: Current MPA monitoring activity to date

Existing MPA-related monitoring activities are summarised in this annex under the broad feature groupings set out in the main body of the paper (e.g. seals, cetaceans, marine birds etc.). An additional sub-section covering other area-based measures contributing to the MPA network (see SNH & JNCC, 2012) presents a summary of relevant monitoring per area.

Background

SNH has an established corporate programme for monitoring the condition of nature conservation features of special interest on designated sites in Scotland - ‘Site Condition Monitoring’ (SCM^[9]) - which implements a commitment set out in a 1998 Statement on Common Standards Monitoring (CSM) (JNCC, 1998). CSM is a non-statutory programme of work that informs assessments against the Scottish National Performance Indicator ‘Improve the condition of protected nature sites’^[10]. SNH’s CSM programme contributes to delivery of the 2008 surveillance obligation for Habitats Directive features within MPAs.

SNH’s marine CSM programme is delivered by SNH staff and contractors, as well as using monitoring results from other sources, such as the Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP) and the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS), to determine the condition of some natural features. Summary results of the CSM programme are available from the SNH Sitelink^[11] pages and can be explored using the interactive tool on Scotland's Environment^[12] web pages.

JNCC established a UK offshore MPA monitoring programme in 2014 which is mainly delivered by JNCC and MSS. An annual prioritisation exercise is undertaken for all offshore MPAs. JNCC does not follow any feature specific CSM guidance as these only exist for inshore habitats.

Results from Scottish offshore MPA monitoring surveys can be obtained from the JNCC MPA monitoring web page^[13] and the relevant offshore Site Information Centres^[14].

Mobile Species

For some MPA species, survey and monitoring programmes are underway that provide some level of baseline against which to be able to assess the current state and thus any trend in population numbers (e.g. for seals and bottlenose dolphins). For other species (e.g. harbour porpoise) fewer data are available. It is important to understand the limitations of any baseline set.

Any assessment process must recognise that populations of mobile species using MPAs are naturally dynamic and numbers will fluctuate. As highly mobile species they have the capacity to move away from an area for a host of reasons either on a temporary or permanent basis. The magnitude of natural fluctuations is not fully understood and cannot be predicted. The magnitude of such fluctuations, however, can also be influenced by various anthropogenic pressures and it is therefore important to be able to distinguish between natural declines in numbers (e.g. due to a change in distribution) and those that are the result of other factors. In order to be able to do this it is important to have an understanding of the key pressures and some measure of the scale of such pressures which may be affecting the animals when they are beyond the boundaries of the protected site (as well as within). It is also essential that mobile species surveys are not restricted solely to MPAs to provide the wider context.

Seals

Harbour seals

Harbour seal SACs around the Scottish coastline represent ‘key’ haul-out sites within larger ‘territories’ and are occupied all year round. The SACs were selected on the assumption that individuals are relatively loyal to a ‘set’ of haul-outs, and this has largely been confirmed in recent years with the results of tagging work. It is also becoming more apparent that individuals from a given haul-out do not all necessarily exploit the same area when at sea, but each individual does appear, at least in part, to have their own preferred foraging areas. This means that when away from the designated site different individuals may experience different pressures that could affect their subsequent behaviour.

The focus of monitoring to date has been routine surveys around the coast during the annual moult in August. Surveys are restricted to a short time window of around 4-6 weeks and are conducted under strict conditions. These restrictions mean that it is not possible to survey the whole of Scotland’s coastline in a single year and until recently the aim was to complete the monitoring over a 4-5 year period. Recent technological advances mean that the ‘whole of Scotland’ programme can now be completed in three years (from 2016). The surveys are undertaken by the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St Andrews (SMRU) using either a helicopter-mounted thermal imaging camera for much of the rocky coastline of Scotland, or fixed-wing aircraft photography of the extensive sandbank haul-outs on the east coast. The work is undertaken in collaboration with SNH who provide financial support.

Surveys of the various SACs are completed as part of the wider programme of work undertaken to enable the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to deliver on its responsibilities under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.

Grey seals

Grey seals are much more wide ranging than harbour seals and are not tied to a single place throughout the year. Understanding of their movements and seasonal distribution is still somewhat lacking although the results from tagging studies are beginning to shed light on this. Grey seals do however, congregate in very large numbers at a relatively few places around the Scottish coastline during the pupping / breeding season and it is these locations that have driven the selection of the existing SACs for the species. Individuals are known to be loyal to these breeding sites over their life time with grey seal cows repeatedly returning to specific sites to pup. In many cases the key pupping sites are more-or-less abandoned outside the ~2-3 month breeding season (October to December).

Grey seal pup production was formerly measured on an annual basis through repeat aerial surveys of all major pupping sites. More recently however, these counts have been carried out on a biannual basis (with each pupping site surveyed 4-5 times within the breeding period). The surveys are undertaken by SMRU who then calculates the total adult grey seal population using a pup production model. In addition, the main grey seal pupping sites in Shetland are monitored annually by SNH staff and volunteers, following a methodology agreed with SMRU. These results are included in the pup production model.

The aerial surveys of the whole of the Scottish coastline that are undertaken to monitor the status of harbour seals (at their haul-out sites - see above for details) also generate information on the summer distribution of grey seals present on the shoreline. The SMRU-led grey seal monitoring work is undertaken to satisfy assorted obligations on assessing and reporting the conservation status of seals across UK waters.

Cetaceans

Bottlenose dolphins

The only SAC for this species in Scottish waters was identified on the basis of data from a long-running University of Aberdeen photo-id study of the animals in the Moray Firth.

The current monitoring programme for the Moray Firth SAC (which has been running since the mid-2000s) involves annual photo-id surveys that provide detailed information about the population structure, recruitment levels, etc. The photo-id work is undertaken by Aberdeen University and now represents one element of a wider regional-scale Marine Mammal Monitoring Programme (MMMP)^[15] established in 2014 to explore the effects of marine renewables developments in the outer parts of the firth. SNH currently fund the photo-id work in one year out of three to inform SAC condition assessment and reporting obligations^[16]. The photo-id surveys result in an annual estimate of the number of animals in the Moray Firth population as well as an estimate of the rates of deaths and births within the population.

Marine Scotland is a member of the MMMP consortium and in 2014 they installed an array of 30 passive acoustic monitoring devices around the coast, from Caithness in the north to Berwickshire in the south. Termed the East Coast Marine Mammal Acoustic Study (ECOMMAS^[17]), the acoustic array collects information on the movement of dolphins and porpoises, as well as levels of underwater noise, to improve the evidence base for future decisions on developments in these nearshore waters. The MS array was integrated with other existing passive acoustic monitoring programmes in the area being run by St Andrews University (SAMMO network - Scottish Acoustic Marine Mammal Observatory) and the University of Aberdeen.

Marine Scotland also undertook high resolution aerial video survey^[18] off the east coast of Scotland in 2014 for harbour porpoise and bottlenose dolphins. The results of the video sampling were used to validate with the results of the passive acoustic monitoring undertaken along this stretch of the coastline (Williamson et al. 2016).

Harbour porpoise

The Inner Hebrides and the Minches candidate SAC represents key habitat for harbour porpoise with a persistent high density of animals present. The SAC was identified on the basis of a reanalysis of available sea-based survey datasets from 1994 to 2011 collated under the Joint Cetacean Protocol^{[19] & [20]} (JCP) and modelling of at sea sightings and acoustic data from the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT).

The main datasets underpinning the cSAC came from the SCANS II survey (Small Cetaceans in European Atlantic waters and the North Sea) undertaken in 1994 and 2005 and sightings and acoustic detections collected by HWDT during the summers of 2003 to 2008. SCANS surveys have taken place in UK waters on a roughly decadal basis with the latest survey (SCANS III^[21]) completed in July and August 2016.

HWDT operate in the area of the candidate SAC and record any sightings of harbour porpoise (effort-corrected data). They also operate an on-line Community Sightings Programme (http://www.whaledolphintrust.co.uk/sightings-report-a-sighting.asp) which enables members of the public to report cetacean sightings (Type 0 monitoring - see also Annex 3). Whilst the latter provides useful information on the distribution of sightings it comprises incidental records and is not effort-related and as such cannot be used to estimate population size.

Marine Scotland installed an array of passive acoustic monitoring devices at locations across the Inner Hebrides and the Minches cSAC in May 2017, building upon their ECOMMAS cetacean survey work on the east coast (see bottlenose dolphin commentary above). The array will collect information on the presence / absence of porpoises and dolphins and supplement ongoing sightings work including any future broadscale SCANS-type events.

In addition, Seawatch^[22], SAMS^[23] and WDC^[24] all have had either short-term or localised projects specifically targeting porpoise.

Marine birds

This section describes the monitoring of seabirds and other marine waterbirds in Scotland.

Seabirds

Breeding populations at colonies on land

The Seabird Monitoring Programme (SMP), supplemented by periodic national breeding seabird censuses (covering all seabird species and colonies every ~10 to 15 years e.g. Seabird 2000^[25]), delivers the majority of information available on breeding UK seabird population status.

The SMP has collected data from a subset of UK seabird colonies since 1986 (not a continuous subset^[26]). A significant proportion of the annual SMP dataset comes from a series of key sites where detailed data on abundance, productivity and survival is gathered for a number of seabird species. The key sites include some of the largest seabird colonies in the UK. In Scotland sites monitored on annual basis include: Fair Isle, Isle of May and Canna; and on a triennial rotating basis St Kilda; Orkney Mainland and the Aberdeenshire coast. These areas all support multiple MPA designations for specified seabird species and / or assemblages (e.g. SPA & Ramsar sites underpinning by SSSIs). JNCC contract the SMP monitoring at some of the key sites. The work is undertaken on the Isle of May by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), on Fair Isle by the Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust and on Canna by the Highland Ringing Group (see case study 6 in Annex 5).

The SMP has also promoted and extended the monitoring of abundance and breeding success at additional seabird colonies throughout Britain and Ireland. The amount of monitoring conducted outwith the key sites has increased steadily through individual volunteers and the monitoring activities of the SMP partners^[27] (e.g. regular SNH monitoring of seabird populations at NNRs such as Noss, Hermaness and Rum). Not all of the seabird colonies covered by the SMP are monitored in any one year. However, trends for the whole sample are updated annually using statistical models, which analyse observed data from colonies that were monitored.

Accurate status assessments are generated for all 25 UK breeding seabird species every census. The SMP provides annual assessments for 13 species adequately covered by routine monitoring activity. SMP data, which includes abundance information and productivity data, is maintained within a database that is hosted and managed by JNCC who also publish the latest trend information online^[28]. SNH publish an annual Scottish seabird indicator^[29].

Non-breeding population abundance on land

Information on trends in non-breeding seabird population abundance is limited to two NGO-led monitoring schemes, the Winter Gull Roost Survey (WiNGS) and Winter Atlas surveys, largely due to the level of effort and associated high cost required to monitor non-breeding population abundance around Scotland’s coastline.

Breeding and non-breeding population distribution at sea

Seabirds at Sea data has been gathered in the past using a scheme known as European Seabirds at Sea (ESAS^[30]). The ESAS database hosts this data. JNCC are currently assessing whether information could be collected using a low cost volunteer-based ESAS monitoring scheme. This would train voluntary surveyors and place them on Vessels of Opportunity (VoO) [see also Section 10 of the Scottish MPA Monitoring Strategy].

Marine waterbirds

There is currently no monitoring programme for marine waterbirds at sea, including sites that are classified (or proposed for classification) as SPAs.

Breeding populations

Marine waterbird breeding abundance is currently monitored through periodic surveys^[31] funded by individual governments and NGOs. Of particular relevance to Scottish MPA interests are the surveys of breeding red and black-throated divers and common scoter and data on wigeon and other rare / scarce breeding waterfowl.

Non-breeding populations

Population abundance and distribution of non-breeding marine waterbirds is currently monitored by the Non-Estuarine Waterbird Survey^[32] (NEWS) and the Wetland Bird Survey^[33] (WeBS). WeBS counts are made annually at around 2,800 wetland sites around the UK, with the monitoring programme in Scotland encompassing marine waterbird qualifying features in a number of estuarine protected areas (e.g. Solway Firth, Moray Firth, Firth of Forth, Dornoch Firth, Cromarty and Beauly firths, Firth of Clyde etc.). NEWS focuses on areas of non-estuarine coastline which are known to be important for populations of species such as purple sandpipers and turnstone. However, these land-based schemes are only able to provide population-level trend information for species whose distributions are entirely within sight of land. There is currently no monitoring programme for waterfowl at sea, including sites that are classified (or proposed for classification) as SPAs.

Relationship with SNH’s marine birds Common Standards Monitoring programme

Data collected within protected sites as part of the marine bird monitoring studies outlined above, feed into SNH’s Common Standards Monitoring (CSM) programme (which in turn informs Birds Directive reporting obligations as well as annual assessments of the Scottish Governments NPI on Protected Nature Sites^[34]).

Fish

Common skate

The Loch Sunart and the Sound of Jura Nature Conservation MPA represents key habitat for common skate with an apparent high level of residency, especially of large individuals (targeted by recreational sea anglers involved in tagging studies - see also Annex 5). Information on the level of residency, habitat use and depth usage in the Sound of Jura to Sound of Mull portion of the site was obtained in a MSS / University of Aberdeen study and used to inform management options. A subsequent MSS / SNH collaboration involving an acoustic array started in 2016 and will provide further data on residency and movements following the implementation of new fisheries management measures. A method using PIT tags to estimate survival rate for this species is being developed by MSS and SNH and through continued collaboration with relevant anglers’ associations it should be possible to estimate the effects of the new measures on common skate mortality.

Other sampling methods that may affect the future direction of the NC MPA monitoring programme include the development of a photo-id catalogue based on spot patterns. The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) are hoping to take forward work on this pragmatic monitoring methodology in 2017. The approach is reliant on sea anglers taking an appropriate photo of their catch before it is released. A further advantage of the photo-id approach is that it offers the potential for a retrospective analysis of historical photos which could help establish a realistic baseline from which to assess current population status and trends. In combination with the PIT tagging study it should be possible to validate the approach and if successful it could offer a relatively cheap and easy way to monitor the status of common skate within the MPA.

All of the current sampling methods have the potential to provide data about the state of the adult population. They are based on anglers’ catch and release data, but as anglers specifically target the large specimens at key fishing marks within the MPA the sample is potentially biased. At present there are few data on juvenile / immature specimens. A survey is planned in 2017 to assess juvenile skate within the MPA.

Sandeels

Sandeels are currently a protected feature of four NC MPAs. Annual monitoring of the Turbot Bank sandeel population takes place under an EC-funded Data Collection Framework (DCF) winter assessment carried out by Marine Scotland Science (MSS). Data from this bank forms part of the dataset used in the ICES annual assessment for sandeels for Area 4, off the east coast of Scotland. Sandeel abundance was assessed in the Mousa to Boddam MPA as part of an SNH / MSS Alba cruise in 2014^[35]. MSS also hold historical sandeel abundance data on these grounds prior to 2008.

Seabed habitats

Nearshore waters (0 - 12 nm)

The majority of marine habitat SACs in Scottish nearshore waters were formally designated in 2005. Much of SNHs benthic survey work between 1999 - 2005 focussed on building the case for designation of the SACs (supplementing studies from the 1980s and 1990s) and completing inventory mapping to inform site management requirements. Due to the number and widespread distribution of marine habitat SACs, these preliminary broadscale habitat mapping surveys continued until 2009.

SNH’s seabed habitat CSM programme (primarily Type 1 studies to detect trends in the condition of the features and inform reporting obligations) started in 2002 to implement the 1998 Statement on Common Standards Monitoring (JNCC, 1998) on a suite of 43 SSSIs and subsequently, 30 marine SACs. Monitoring studies were undertaken alongside the ongoing programme of coarser resolution habitat mapping.

Further details of SNHs MPA-related seabed habitat monitoring work undertaken from 1999-2013 are provided in a UK-wide review published by the JNCC (McBreen et al., 2016). As part of this study a catalogue of reports associated with Scottish MPA monitoring was produced. The catalogue is available in a spreadsheet format from the JNCC website^[36] (filter by SNH and also by JNCC to see relevant Scottish benthic survey reports from the Marine Nature Conservation Review spanning the late 1980’s-90s). The SNH commissioned reports are available for download from the SNH online publications catalogue^[37].

MS research vessel time has been allocated on an annual basis since 2011 to support the delivery of MPA habitat monitoring in territorial and offshore waters (see Table A3.1 for details of MS cruises linked to MPA studies and Table A3.2 under ‘Offshore waters’). Some aspects of the work are led by the SNCBs and some by Marine Scotland Science (MSS).

Since 2014, the primary focus of MPA-related seabed habitats monitoring work undertaken by all agencies has been on initiating more detailed studies (Types 2 & 3 which represent a shift from SNH’s corporate CSM programme) in a small number of sites to explore the effectiveness of new fisheries management measures (targeted at features where the effects of the measures are most likely to be discernible). The first round of new MPA measures came into force in Scottish territorial waters in February 2016 (Marine Scotland, 2016).

To date, the detailed Type 3 monitoring implemented by MSS at the Small Isles MPA and the South Arran MPA are the only studies in territorial waters that have been designed to utilise multiple control areas recorded over multiple time frames, both before and (in the future) after the implementation of management measures. The use of multiple time frames allows us to use statistical inference to say whether environmental changes are truly down to management measures.

Priority areas for work in 2012 (e.g. Luce Bay SAC) were unsuitable for Alba (and also the Sir John Murray) due to operational depth limits and SNH contracted out the required work (see Allen et al., 2014). Other SNH commissioned studies in 2012 included monitoring of saline lagoons in the Uists (Howson et al., 2014) and surveys of intertidal habitats at a number of west coast SSSIs (ASML, 2014).

Most nearshore MPA-related work, comprising mainly remote video, grabs and diver sampling, can be undertaken from quite small boats. SNH has a 6.5 m RIB used primarily for diving surveys and for shallow water drop-down video sampling. In many cases there are considerable benefits to hiring local boats and skippers who know their waters and seabed habitats intimately. This approach can help to develop relationships and trust between local communities, marine scientists and the wider MPA processes. Diving work can only be undertaken from suitable small vessels. However, larger, more stable vessels such as Alba and the Sir John Murray are essential for future MPA monitoring work in deeper waters (e.g. the cold water coral reefs at the East Mingulay SAC and the fan mussel aggregations in the Sound of Canna etc.) and at more exposed sites (e.g. North Rona and St Kilda).

Offshore waters (12 - 200 nm)

SAC identification and designation for seabed habitats started later in the offshore area but was accompanied by a similar range of initial broadscale survey and mapping projects. Subsequent monitoring surveys undertaken for Scottish offshore MPAs are listed in Table A3.2. Monitoring reports are available from the JNCC MPA monitoring webpage^[38]. Reports from previous surveys are available from the Evidence tab on the relevant offshore Site Information Centre^[39].

Other area-based measures

The European Union and the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), advised by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES), are implementing fisheries management measures. In some cases these are to aid fish stock recovery while in others they are for the protection of particularly sensitive marine habitats in offshore waters (that may include deep water sponges and corals).

The other area-based measures listed below are those considered to contribute to the Scottish MPA network (see SNH and JNCC, 2012 for further details). The list includes two areas (nos. 7 & 8), where measures were established solely to manage a fishery (for blue ling - a Scottish MPA search feature and Priority Marine Feature). A summary of survey and monitoring work undertaken to date is provided below for each area.

1. North-east UK sandeel closure (CA1). Two monitoring programmes: i) The Scottish dredge survey conducted annually by MSS (December) since 2008. ii) A monitoring fishery carried out by the Danish sector under an ICES monitoring TAC of 5000t. Sampling under the latter since 2005 is sporadic and sufficient data for monitoring is unavailable for some years. (Source: ICES Advice 2015, Book 6).

2. Lamlash Bay No Take Zone. Three wide-scale, quadrat surveys have been performed by MSS (2009, 2010 & 2014). Four years of diver survey by York University have also been carried out (2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013).

3. North West Rockall Bank. Previous surveys are: MAREMAP JC060 NOC/JNCC/UoP survey 2011 (Huvenne, et al., 2011; Howell et al., 2014); JNCC/MSS Rockall haddock survey and seabed mapping 2011; MSS monkfish survey (towed camera); JNCC and UoP Rockall Bank habitat surveys 2005-2008 (Howell et al., 2008). See North West Rockall Bank Site Information Centre for more information^[40].

4. Darwin Mounds. Previous surveys are: MAREMAP JC060 NOC/JNCC/UoP survey 2011 (Huvenne, et al, 2011; Howell et al, 2014); AMES survey 1999 & 2000 (Bett, 2007; Bett & Jacobs, 2007; AFEN survey 1998). See Darwin Mounds Site Information Centre for more information^[41].

5. West Rockall Mound. No UK-led surveys since the original discovery of the mounds more than 10 years ago (which was made by either a German or Belgian survey).

6. Hatton Bank. Previous surveys are: DTI/JNCC 2005 & 2006 surveys (Narayanaswamy et al, 2006; Howell et al, 2008); ECOVUL/ARPA 2005 & 2007 surveys conducted by Spanish Instituto Español de Oceanografía. See Hatton Bank Site Information Centre for more information^[42].

7. Blue Ling management area - Edge of Rosemary Bank. Monitored biannually under the MSS deep water survey (DCF funded). MSS MOREDEEP surveys (2014, 2016).

8. Blue Ling management area - Edge of continental slope. Monitored biannually under the MSS deep water survey (DCF funded).

References

Allen, C., Axelsson, M., Doran, J. & Dewey, S. 2014. Survey of marine features within the Luce Bay and Sands Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 738. Available from - http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/738.pdf

ASML. 2014. Baseline survey and mapping of intertidal features within selected Scottish SSSIs. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 754. Available from - http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/754.pdf

Bett, B.J. 2007 RRS Charles Darwin Cruise 123C3-4, 19 Jul - 15 Sep 2000. Atlantic Margin Environmental Surveys and North Sea Environmental Surveys. Southampton, UK, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, 221pp. (National Oceanography Centre Southampton Cruise Report 20). Available from - http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/148424/.

Bett, B.J. and Jacobs, C.J. (2007) RRS Charles Darwin Cruise 119C Leg B, 13 Aug - 14 Sep 1999. White Zone (WhiZ) environmental survey: seabed survey of the deep waters to the north and west of Shetland National Oceanography Centre Southampton 120pp, Southampton, UK (National Oceanography Centre Southampton Cruise Report, 19). Available from https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/48096/

Brown, D., Plunkett, R., Booth, C. & Webb, A. 2017. Distribution and abundance of basking sharks Cetorhinus maximus and minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata within the Sea of the Hebrides MPA proposal. Part 1: A review of appropriate methods and a recommended pilot survey. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 974.

Doherty, P.D., Baxter, J.M., Gell, F.R., Godley, B.J., Graham, R.T., Hall, G., Hall, J., Hawkes, L.A., Henderson, S.M., Johnson, L., Speedie, C. & Witt, M.J. 2017a. Long-term satellite tracking reveals variable seasonal migration strategies of basking sharks in the north-east Atlantic. Scientific Reports 7, Article number: 42837 (2017). doi:10.1038/srep42837. Available from - http://www.nature.com/articles/srep42837

Doherty, P.D., Baxter, J.M., Godley, B.J., Graham, R.T., Hall, G., Hall, J., Hawkes, L.A., Henderson, S.M., Johnson, L., Speedie, C. & Witt, M.J. 2017b. Testing the boundaries: Seasonal residency and inter-annual site fidelity of basking sharks in a proposed Marine Protected Area. Biological Conservation 209, 68-75. Available from - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2017.01.018

Howell, K.L., Davies, J.S., Jacobs, C., Narayanaswamy, B.E. 2008. Broadscale Survey of the Habitats of Rockall Bank and mapping of Annex I 'Reef' Habitat. JNCC Report 422. Available from - http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/PDF/jncc422_web.pdf.

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Huvenne, V.A.I et al (2011) RRS James Cook Cruise 60, 09 May-12 Jun 2011. Benthic habitats and the impact of human activities in Rockall Trough, on Rockall Bank and in Hatton Basin. National Oceanography Centre Southampton 133pp. , Southampton, UK (National Oceanography Centre Cruise Report, 4). Available from - https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/193835/.

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McBreen, F., Jesus, A., Camplin, M., Clark, L., Edwards, H., James, B., Pirie, C., Steel, L., Young, M., Johnston, C. & Hawkridge J. 2016. A review of monitoring and assessment of seabed habitats in UK inshore Marine Protected Areas, 1999 - 2013. JNCC Report No. 540. Available from - http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/Report_540_FINAL_web.pdf

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Williamson, L., Brookes, K. L., Scott, B. E., Graham, I. M., Bradbury, G., Hammond, P. S., & Thompson, P. M. (2016). Echolocation detections and digital video surveys provide reliable estimates of the relative density of harbour porpoises. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. Available from - http://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12538