WFA-CPC EMFF Project: Seabed Surveys in Welsh Marine Protected Areas, 2019-2021

Seabed survey data from the Assessing Welsh Fishing Activities project, evaluating interactions between fishing and conservation features in Welsh Marine Protected Areas. Surveys were conducted by ENVISION in 2020-2021 for the Welsh Fishermen's Association in two Special Areas of Conservation, using techniques like sidescan sonar and underwater cameras. The data series includes three separate datasets split by MEDIN thematic discipline.

Use Cases

• Mapping the location and extent of Sabellaria alveolata reefs based on surveys in the Severn Estuary SAC.
• Assessing the 'reefiness' and quality of cobble/boulder habitats based on drop-down camera surveys in Cardigan Bay SAC.
• Prioritizing marine management decisions by integrating survey data with local fisher knowledge and existing datasets.
• Identifying areas of variable seabed ground or potential conservation features using bathymetry and acoustic imagery data.

Strengths

• Surveys employed a variety of techniques, including benthic and geophysical surveys, sidescan sonar, AGDS, acoustic imagery, and underwater camera systems.
• Data collection integrates existing data with information from local fishers to better inform management.
• Project focuses on two specific Welsh Special Areas of Conservation (Severn Estuary and Cardigan Bay).

Limitations

• Row count, column names, and file formats are unknown, which limits suitability assessment.
• Last update date and license information are unknown; freshness and usage rights are unverified.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales, with surveys carried out by ENVISION for the Welsh Fishermen's Association.

Collection Method

Seabed surveys using bathymetry, sidescan sonar, AGDS, acoustic imagery, and drop-down underwater camera systems.

Time Range

2019-2021, with surveys conducted in 2020-2021.

Freshness

Data collection occurred in 2020-2021; last update date is unknown.

Geography

Welsh Marine Protected Areas, specifically the Severn Estuary/Mor Hafren SAC and Cardigan Bay/Bae Ceredigion SAC.