Ecology/ Biodiversity Marine and Coastal Conservation
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Manx Marine Environmental Assessment Ecology/ Biodiversity Marine and coastal conservation Ramsey Marine Nature Reserve. Photo: J Cubbon. MMEA Chapter 3.7 October 2013 Lead authors: Fiona Gell & Aline Thomas - Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture Laura Hanley - Isle of Man Marine Plan With contributions from Philippa Tomlinson – Marine Biological Recording Partnership MMEA Chapter 3.7 – Ecology/ Biodiversity Manx Marine Environmental Assessment Version: November 2013 © Isle of Man Government, all rights reserved This document was produced as part of the Isle of Man Marine Plan Project, a cross Government Department project funded and facilitated by the Department of Infrastructure, Department of Economic Development and Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. This document is downloadable from the Department of Infrastructure website at: http://www.gov.im/categories/planning-and-building-control/marine-planning/manx-marine- environmental-assessment/ For information about the Isle of Man Marine Plan Project please see: http://www.gov.im/categories/planning-and-building-control/marine-planning/ Contact: Manx Marine Environmental Assessment Isle of Man Marine Plan Project Planning & Building Control Division Department of Infrastructure Murray House, Mount Havelock Douglas, IM1 2SF Suggested Citations Chapter Gell, F.G., Thomas, A., Hanley, L., Tomlinson, P. 2013. Marine and Coastal Conservation. In Hanley et al., (eds.), Manx Marine Environmental Assessment. Isle of Man Marine Plan. Isle of Man Government, pp. 47 MMEA Hanley, L.J., Gell, F.G., Kennington, K., Stone, E., Rowan, E., McEvoy, P., Brew, M., Milne, K., Charter, L., Gallagher, M., Hemsley, K., Duncan, P.F. (eds.) 2013. Manx Marine Environmental Assessment. Isle of Man Marine Plan. Isle of Man Government. 2 Manx Marine Environmental Assessment – October 2013 MMEA Chapter 3.7 – Ecology/ Biodiversity Disclaimer: The Isle of Man Government has facilitated the compilation of this document, to provide baseline information towards the Isle of Man Marine Plan Project. Information has been provided by various Government Officers, marine experts, local organisations and industry, often in a voluntary capacity or outside their usual work remit. Advice should always be sought from relevant contacts where queries arise. The editors have taken every care to ensure the accuracy of the information contained but accept that errors, omissions or changes may be present which may be identified in future. The editors accept no responsibility for the accuracy or currency of information provided on external sites. All MMEA chapters may be amended and improved upon in light of new information or comments received. As such, all chapters should be considered as working documents. Any initial guidelines or recommendations within the document are provided to help facilitate future discussions between stakeholders, Government Departments, future developers and the general public, and should be read only in the context of the document as a whole. This document does not provide legal or policy advice but rather a statement of known information about Manx territorial waters. The mapping detail contained in this document is subject to the limitations of scale and depiction of any feature, does not denote or infer right of way and no claim is made for the definitive nature of any feature shown on the mapping. New marine datasets created for the project have not been subject to formal verification. Copyright: Unless stated otherwise, all mapping, overlay data and intellectual property in this publication are subject to the following copyright: Charts: © Crown Copyright, Department of Infrastructure, Isle of Man. 2012. United Kingdom Hydrographic Office admiralty charts: © SeaZone Solutions Ltd. Licence no. 2005, [GDDI/10 & 012011.006]. © British Crown Copyright, 2005. NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION Reproduction of the maps in any form is prohibited without prior permission from the publishers. 3 Manx Marine Environmental Assessment – October 2013 MMEA Chapter 3.7 – Ecology/ Biodiversity Marine and coastal conservation Summary Marine biodiversity is an important resource to the Isle of Man, providing a wide range of services and making an important contribution to the biodiversity of the wider Irish Sea. Over 2300 marine animal species had been recorded in the Isle of Man up to 1963 (Bruce et al 1963) and many more have been recorded since. At least 225 species of algae have been recorded in Manx waters. A full, up to date marine species list has not been compiled for the Isle of Man but should soon be possible. The Department and Environment, Food and Agriculture is responsible for nature conservation designations in the Isle of Man. Manx Natural Heritage also play an important role in conservation. The work of these government entities is supported by a number of active conservation Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs) can be designated for subtidal sites and can also include intertidal areas (to the high water mark). Ramsey Marine Nature Reserve is the Isle of Man’s first MNR and was designated in 2011. Approximately 2.6% of Manx territorial waters are designated as Marine Nature Reserve or protected from scallop dredging as part of the network of Fisheries Closed Areas and Restricted Areas. The EU Habitats Directive does not extend to the Isle of Man but the Isle of Man is signed up (via the UK) to a number of Conventions identifying priority species and habitats for conservation, including: The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Convention on Biological Diversity Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs) are the main conservation designation available for subtidal sites. A range of conservation priority habitats are protected within Ramsey MNR, including horse mussel reef, eelgrass meadows and maerl beds. Other priority species and habitats including areas of eelgrass and the ocean quahog, Arctic islandica, are protected within the Fisheries Closed Areas and Restricted Areas. 4 Manx Marine Environmental Assessment – October 2013 MMEA Chapter 3.7 – Ecology/ Biodiversity Some important areas of subtidal habitat of conservation priority are not currently protected. It is therefore essential that appropriate habitat survey work is carried out as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment for offshore developments. Areas of Special Scientific Interest are the most widely used terrestrial conservation designation and can include intertidal areas (to the low water mark). A significant proportion of Manx intertidal habitats are now designated as Areas of Special Scientific Interest. A range of other statutory and voluntary site designations are possible for coastal areas and these are presented in this chapter. Marine invasive species are monitored in Manx waters to a limited extent, mainly by volunteers. Wireweed (Sargassum muticum) became established in Manx waters in 2005 and has since become widespread. The Pacific oyster (Crassotrea gigas) was first recorded in Manx waters in 2005 and has recently become established in Ramsey, while Darwin’s barnacle (Elminius modestus) has been recorded from there since the mid 1950s. The carpet seasquirt (Didemnum vexillum) and the slipper limpet (Crepidula fornicata) have not yet been recorded in Manx waters. 5 Manx Marine Environmental Assessment – October 2013 MMEA Chapter 3.7 – Ecology/ Biodiversity Baseline The Isle of Man has a great diversity of marine and coastal habitats and high biodiversity in terms of species and ecosystems. Some aspects of Manx marine biodiversity are extremely well studied, mainly as a result of research carried out at Port Erin Marine Laboratory for over 114 years. The intertidal species and habitats of the south of the Isle of Man were particularly well studied in the past. Other aspects remain less well understood, particularly subtidal habitats, with the exception of the southern coast and the Calf, and the inshore environment. This chapter gives a brief overview of Manx marine biodiversity (aspects of subtidal ecology, coastal habitats and protected marine species are covered in dedicated chapters) and marine and coastal conservation in the Isle of Man. Statutory marine and coastal conservation in the Isle of Man is the responsibility of the Department and Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) of the Isle of Man Government. The main legislation available for protected species and habitats is the Wildlife Act 1990. The Wildlife Act provides for the conservation of marine and coastal habitats through site protection and species protection. The main coastal site designation in use is the Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) which can extend to the low water mark. The main subtidal conservation designation in use is the Marine Nature Reserve. Species protection is offered to a range of marine and coastal plants and animals. The Isle of Man is also signatory to a number of international Conventions with obligations and guidance on the protection and management of other priority species and habitats. Manx National Heritage also plays an important role in conservation, supporting biological recording and informing the public, for example through the Natural History