SKOMER MARINE NATURE RESERVE REPORT 2002

PHILIP NEWMAN KATE LOCK

SKOMER M.N.R. OFFICERS

APRIL 2003 SKOMER MARINE NATURE RESERVE

REPORT 2002

CONTENTS

1 Introduction and Foreword 1

2 Staff 2

3 Estate 5

4 Management 12

5 Visitors and use of MNR 16

6 Liaison and Advisory Committee 23

7 Science 27

8 Education and Interpretation 37

9 Acknowledgements 40

Appendices:

1 Abbreviations 41

2 Seal pupping data, MNR mainland, combined data and Skomer Island report synopsis 42

3 Skomer MNR Visitor Centre Numbers 2002 44

4 Seawater Temperature Logger Results 2001 45

5 Skomer MNR Science Report Synopses 46

6 Media articles 49

7 Seal watching leaflet 51

8 SWSFC/CCW scallop byelaw poster 54 SYNOPSIS This is the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Annual Report to its Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee is made up of organisations and individuals with an interest in the area covered by the MNR. The report summarises all aspects of the work of the MNR including a breakdown of staff fieldwork time, estate work, recreational use of the reserve, incidents, liaison, wardening, patrol, monitoring and research. Also included are results of some monitoring projects and summaries of published reports.

CRYNODEB Dyma Adroddiad Blynyddol Gwarchodfa Natur Forol Sgomer (GNFS) i’w Phwyllgor Ymgynghorol. Mae’r Pwyllgor Ymgynghorol yn cynnwys sefydliadau ac unigolion sydd â diddordeb yn yr ardal y mae GNFS yn ymdrin â hi. Fe fydd yr adroddiad yn crynhoi pob agwedd ar waith GNFS, gan gynnwys dadansoddiad o amser gwaith maes y staff, gwaith stad, y defnydd a wneir o’r warchodfa wrth hamddena, digwyddiadau, gwaith cydgysylltu, wardenio, patrolio, monitro a gwaith ymchwil. Hefyd, mae canlyniadau rhai prosiectau monitro a rhai o grynodebau adroddiadau sydd wedi eu cyhoeddi, wedi eu cynnwys yma.

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

1 INTRODUCTION AND FOREWORD This report covers the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003, in line with other reporting requirements within CCW. I am glad to be able to report many positive developments for the MNR in 2002. Foremost amongst these is the increased staff complement for the MNR in 2002, which has given us the opportunity not only to complete most of the planned monitoring fieldwork, but to expand upon some projects where this was necessary to give us a better picture of what the “health” of the Reserve is like. This is reflected in the increases in diving effort, particularly for biological projects, and sea time recorded, as well as the times for individual projects. Of course there is little point in having data from fieldwork if it is not analysed and interpreted and this has been another benefit of extending the seasonal post into the winter months to be able to take up some of the administrative work that Kate is unable to do in her 3-day week and also to provide help in the data analysis and write-up. The importance of being able to produce reports and present results has been underlined by the interest taken in the MNR’s monitoring programme, both by academics and other conservation agency departments during 2002. The main theme of comments has been “We had no idea you did so much at the MNR”. To build upon this interest the MNR intends to take full advantage of proposals by CCW’s web-site manager to make electronic copies of reports available via the internet. We have also been helped by the huge improvement in the IT infrastructure at Fisherman’s Cottage. Faster computers, better networking between them and even internet access have made life much more efficient in the last few weeks. Perhaps I’m tempting fate by saying it but Skalmey has functioned well with over 750 hours on the engine and the waterjet is in very good condition according to the engineer from Hamilton. For the coming season we have two full-time and one part-time staff at the moment with assurances that a seasonal assistant will be recruited. With this we hope to continue to demonstrate the high output of work that we have shown over the last year or so. Of course we still depend on our volunteers, both individuals and the diving teams and we plan to harness their enthusiasm this year to help us estimate the population of sea urchins and certain species of starfish in the MNR. I hope you enjoy the rather more colourful report this year and bear with us if you come across some of the page formatting difficulties we have had – blame it on the new technology! Phil Newman Skomer MNR Officer

1

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

2 STAFF 2.1 STAFFING In 2002 the MNR fared much better for staff with the continuation of short- term contracts and the recruitment of a seasonal assistant. The two permanent staff, Phil Newman (PN) as Skomer MNR Officer and Kate Lock (KL) as Assistant Marine Conservation Officer, remain in post, but KL decided to go part-time (three days per week) from April 2002. Mark Burton (MB) stays with the team as Assistant Marine Conservation Officer (full-time) currently on a fixed term contract until April 2004. Louise Squire (now Luddington) joined the team as seasonal assistant in April 2002. Her contract was extended until Christmas 2002 to provide help in data analysis and report writing. The overall effect of these changes was to allow the MNR team to field a 4-person field team on three days of the week and to have three members of staff available to carry out Sunday and Bank Holiday weekend patrols on a rota basis. The MNR team was also supplemented by local CCW staff; Blaise Bullimore (BB), who continues as Senior Marine Conservation Officer (West Wales) and is the professional lead within CCW for the MNR, and Mike Camplin, Marine Conservation Officer (West Wales). BB and MC have been unable this year to support much MNR fieldwork because of other commitments, but have had significant input (particularly MC) into the development of methods and analysis of results. Claire Walker, Marine SSSI officer based at Haverfordwest, also helped out at weekends on a voluntary basis. CCW HQ marine staff also visited Pembrokeshire and took part in MNR projects during June, although their 4-day visit was interrupted by bad weather. Other valuable contributions to the work of the MNR have been made by: - Steve Myatt, a highly trained local diving volunteer, who is a member of the local Fire Brigade diving team and is a student at Pembrokeshire College. - Honorary Wardens, who continue to open the MNR exhibition when MNR staff are not at Martins Haven, and help in recording visitor numbers, disturbance incidents, infringements of MNR code of conduct and contribute to various aspects of species recording, - Miles Bettridge and Lee Watt, students from Pembrokeshire College who carried out observations of disturbance to seals during the pupping season in 2002. - A team of volunteers made up of John Archer Thompson, Jon Moore, Bruce and Jen Jones and Dawn Wilde, who helped MNR staff conduct the sea slug survey. - Nick Jeremy, who helped with voluntary diving assistance. - Our faithful teams of volunteer divers who carried out not only a repeat of the territorial fish survey, but helped with the second 5-yearly monitoring survey of the North Haven eel grass bed on behalf of the MNR. Although the cost in terms of MNR staff time to supervise, organise and design projects to suit volunteers has been considerable the effort is considered worthwhile, not just in terms of being able to accumulate far more data than we could ever hope to by using MNR staff alone,

2

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

but as a very important tool in fostering understanding and support for the work of the MNR and CCW with recreational divers, who form one of the MNR’s larger user groups. We are also continuing our efforts to increase the participation of university students by circulating lists to university departments outside Wales of potential projects that would tie into the Management Plan and have had several positive responses to this.

2.2 HONORARY AND VOLUNTARY WARDENS The following continue to serve as Honorary Wardens (HW): - Lana Bullimore - Sue Burton (formerly Gilbert ) - Nic Davies, skipper Mizpah (M162) - Brian Dilly - Kenny Gainfort, Skipper Dale Princess - Jane Hodges, PCNP - Ivor Johnson, Old Mill Diving Centre - Bruce Jones, BS-AC - Steve Lewis - James Perrins - Mike Trew, Brian Martin and Lionel Jewell, Martin’s Haven National Trust car park attendants. - Carl Wonnacot, crew Dale Princess

2.3 TRAINING Skomer MNR staff underwent marine operational safety training prior to the 2002 field seasons. Other West Area marine staff and MNR diving volunteers also attended the safety training, which included familiarisation with MNR safety procedures and equipment, oxygen administration and emergency "scenarios" set by the trainers from West Wales Diving School.

PN attended an oil pollution training event in Cardigan in July.

LL completed a first aid refresher course in accordance with HSE diving requirements.

KL completed the RYA Advanced Powerboat course in July.

PN, KL and MB attended training on CCW’s Intranet system.

PN and MB attended a PRIMER statistics course at Plymouth Marine Laboratories in February 2003.

3

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

PN has continued with Welsh lessons.

2.4 HEALTH AND SAFETY The MNR Safety Document continues to be kept updated with first aid assessments being carried out and a visit from a contractor to carry out a fire risk assessment for the MNR office. Diving Project Plans, required under the HSC Agreed Code of Practice (ACoP) for Scientific and Archaeological Diving Projects continue to be prepared for each diving project. No records were made in the Accident Book during 2002. CCW safety staff inspected the MNR office in January and some recommendations for improvements to the path from the back door were made. See also section 3.2.1 for details of work carried out on Skalmey for compliance with the small workboat regulations.

4

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

3 ESTATE 3.1 BUILDINGS Project: ME12/01 Staff time: Estimated 19.10 Actual: 1.7 Larger items of equipment continue to be stored in a barn rented from NT. The new A-frame and chain block have proved invaluable for lifting the RIB for painting and other work to the hull.

Project: MI50/01 Staff time: Estimated 8.0 Actual: 2.4 The MNR exhibition at Martin's Haven was open from the end of March 2002 through to the end of November. The exhibition continues to be popular with visitors. Raw counts from the logger showed the total number of visitors to be 15770 from the end of March to the end of November 2002. The ‘Visitor Centre Survey July 1998 & 2000’, and ‘Visitor Centre Summary Report 2001’ was published in 2002. 3.2 BOATS Project: MM00/01 Staff time: Estimated 42 Actual: 37 3.2.1 Boats Skalmey went to sea 73 times and logged 245.3 engine hours. Routine services for engine and gearbox were carried out and a full overhaul of the waterjet carried out by a specialist engineer. Skalmey II went to sea 37 times and logged 118 engine hours. Routine outboard services were carried out at the end of the year. Skalmey II again suffered from bilge pump problems resulting in being swamped. Although no damage was caused there was some contamination of the fuel that later led to problems with the otherwise reliable Honda 90 outboard. This has now been rectified.

Work has continued on getting Skalmey certified under the small workboat code with a final survey in March 2002. The A-frame on board was retested for its safe working load certificate and a stability test carried out at the same time. The certificate of compliance is expected in early April.

Work has also commenced on Skalmey II to make it comply with the workboat code, with additional safety equipment such as life-rings and life raft being obtained.

The 2.8m Zodiac RIB with 5 hp outboard and the MNR GRP dinghy (battered, but still floating!) are both still in use. Annual maintenance of Skalmey's life raft was carried out.

5

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

3.2.2 Seatime Staff and vessel seatime are shown in Table 3.1. Boat days at sea = number of times the boat left its moorings. Staff seatime = total of each member of staff's seatime. Staff days at sea = total of days on which each member of staff went out in a boat. MNR Staff = Philip Newman, Kate Lock, Mark Burton, Louise Luddington, Blaise Bullimore Other Staff =, Mike Camplin, other CCW Staff and Volunteers

Table 3.1 SUMMARY OF STAFF BOAT AND SEATIME

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997* 1998# 1999# 2000# 2001# 2002# Days at sea Skalmey 112 18 68 90 19 9 23 42 48 71 Skalmey II 70 124 76 52 99 71 39 38 31 37 Total 182 140 144 142 118 80 62 80 79 108

MNR Staff seatime (hours) n/a 213.7 614.8 919.0 181.55 70 195 492.5 621.75 882.9 Skalmey n/a 1038.9 644.7 352.4 732.92 514.25 219 254.15 225.75 277.4 Skalmey II 1252.7 1259.6 1271.4 914.47 584.25 414 746.65 847.5 1160.3 Total MNR Staff days at sea Skalmey 293 43 156 223 51 14 42 96 129 225 Skalmey II 134 316 168 104 214 149 62 60 58 80 Total 427 359 324 327 265 163 104 156 187 305

Other Staff seatime (hours) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 273.75 197.25 204 Skalmey n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 105.75 89 89.7 Skalmey II 379.5 286.25 293.7 Total Other Staff days at sea Skalmey n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 40 36 23 Skalmey II n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 17 19 22 Total 57 55 45 Total Staff seatime (hours) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 766.25 819 1086.9 Skalmey n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 360.25 314.75 367.1 Skalmey II 1126.5 1133.75 1454 Total Total Staff days at sea Skalmey n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 213 242 248 Skalmey II n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 77 77 102 Total 213 319 329 *1997 includes Jan - March 98 #Financial year April - End of March

6

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

3.3 EQUIPMENT Project: AI10/01 Staff time: Estimated 0.5 Actual: 0.1 A full inventory of all equipment is maintained and all items of equipment are security marked or stamped as appropriate.

3.3.1 Safety, diving and protective equipment Project: MM20/01 Staff time: Estimated 1.00 Actual: 0 Annual maintenance of Skalmey's life raft and other boat safety equipment was carried out, and additions made for compliance with the MCA small workboat code (see project MM00/01). Other items such as gloves, waterproofs, overalls and Wellington boots were maintained or replaced as necessary. Project: MM20/02 Staff time: Estimated 13 Actual: 15.7 Skomer MNR diving equipment was maintained and air purchased as necessary. More cylinders were purchased to increase the MNR team capacity for Nitrox diving as this has significant benefits for the type of diving that is done, both in terms of dive duration and safety margins. Older cylinders have been repainted. Regulators were all serviced and cylinders tested as per regulation requirements. An undersuit and drysuit for LL were also purchased together with basic equipment and regulator.

3.3.2 Optical, photographic and scientific Project: MM20/03 Staff time: Estimated 8 Actual: 4.5 Skomer MNR photo and optical equipment was maintained. All cameras and flashguns were serviced and repaired by contractor during the winter. A new Nikonos V and 15mm lens were purchased to ensure continuity now that these cameras have been discontinued. Both video cameras and two video players were also serviced. The digital camera has continued to be a great success for general photography, but more importantly for intertidal work (see Section 7.3).

Project: MM20/04 Staff time: Estimated 5 Actual: 2.5 Maintenance of Skomer MNR scientific instruments included calibration of the salinity, depth, temperature equipment and maintenance of the automatic weather station (see project RP04/01) and temperature logger (see project RP64/01). The Idronaut turbidity logger was recalibrated with the aid of a contractor (see project RP63/01). The MNR have also acquired a Day grab for use in the next sediment infauna survey planned for 2003.

7

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Project: RP04/01 Staff time: Estimated 1.0 Actual: 2.1 The MNR office was re-equipped with new computers in March 2002and it is hoped that the new system will overcome problems experienced with the Met-Ocean System software and the system's integration into the office network at Martins Haven early in 2000.

Data from past years has been analysed to attempt to relate it to observed changes in monitored features – see Skomer MNR Project Status Report 2002.

3.4 ESTATE WORK Project: ME01/01 Staff time: Estimated 3.0 Actual: 0 Trinity House has approved the design of buoy to be used to mark the North Haven eelgrass bed. The buoys, which will be spherical yellow with a yellow cross top- mark and a central no-anchoring symbol, have been prepared and will be deployed in 2003. The buoy marking the wreck of the "Lucy" has been maintained.

Project: ME02/01 Staff time: Estimated 6.0 Actual: 11.3 Skomer MNR moorings in Martin's Haven were maintained. Riser chains on Skalmey and Skalmey II’s moorings were replaced in addition to the normal renewal of shackles at the start of the season. The mooring at Dale was maintained by contractor.

Project: ME02/02 Staff time: Estimated 1.5 Actual: 3.0 Visitor moorings in North Haven were maintained. The mooring buoys were removed at the end of September and replaced with pellet buoys marked "No mooring" to avoid winter visitors using unmaintained moorings.

Project: ME02/02 Staff time: Estimated 8.0 Actual: 4.1 A new Skomer MNR monitoring site for seafans (Eunicella verrucosa) was established at Bullhole on the west coast of Skomer including a marker buoy. Maintenance work was carried out on Thorn Rock sponge and Parazoanthus markers and new seabed markers were installed at the Waybench for Pentapora and at North Wall for Alcyonium glomeratum transects.

Project: ME04/01 Staff time: Estimated: 1.5 Actual: 1.0 Martins Haven Beach was adopted in 2001 by the Skomer MNR through the Marine Conservation Society ‘Adopt a Beach’ project. Martins Haven beach continued to be cleaned on four scheduled events during 2002. Recognised categories of litter were recorded on prepared forms. The data contributed to MCS’s central database collected from all beaches adopted in the UK. Considerable amounts of plastic and commercial fishing debris

8

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002 were again collected from Martins Haven. These not only pose a threat to wildlife, but to the safe operation of boats in the Haven, although what effect the contents of the empty bottle of ‘Viagra’ tablets that was found would have on marine wildlife is not known!

MNR staff continued to recycle buoys recovered from MNR beaches for marking MNR monitoring sites, where no identifying marks are visible.

In March 2002 ‘Friends of PCNP’ adopted Martins Haven Beach and Marloes Sands through the ‘Keep Wales Tidy Group’. The Friends clean the beaches regularly through the year, but leave Martins Haven for a time before and during the MCS’s scheduled window for beach litter surveys so as not to influence the data. Office rubbish and beach rubbish were removed by Skomer MNR staff to PCC's Winsel waste site.

3.5 DIVING OPERATIONS Details of diving operations are shown in Table 3.2 and Figures 3.1 and 3.2. The total number of dives, MNR staff dives and MNR staff dive time increased during the 2002 season due to a 4 person MNR field team operating 3 days per week and continued contributions from volunteers and dive contractors. The percentage of diving time spent on biological monitoring significantly increased to 80%, with a further 9% spent on oceanographic monitoring sites and 5% maintaining moorings. No MNR dive time was spent on SAC projects or impact studies compared to a significant amount of time spent on these projects in previous years.

9

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

FIGURE 3.1 SUMMARY OF MNR DIVING ACTIVITY 1992-2002 (including contact and volunteer divers where they are part of the MNR diving team)

14000 450

400 12000

350 10000 300

8000 250

6000 200 Number of dives Dive time (mins) 150 4000 100

2000 50

0 0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Total dive time Staff dive time Total dives Staff dives

TABLE 3.2 SUMMARY OF DIVING ACTIVITY 2002

MNR STAFF CONTRACT / TOTAL VOL DIVERS Dives 264 51 315 Dive time (mins) 6680 2265 8945 Dive time (hrs) 111 37 148 Average dive time (mins) 25 44 34.5 Diving days 62

10

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Number of Dives

Training Moorings Monitoring support 6% 8% 8% Oceanog monitoring 21%

Biological monitoring 61%

Dive Time

Monitoring support Training 3% 3% Oceanog monitoring Moorings 9% 5%

Biological monitoring 80%

FIGURE 3.2 MNR DIVING OPERATIONS 2002 (including contract and volunteer divers where they are part of the MNR diving team).

11

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

4 MANAGEMENT 4.1 WARDENING AND PATROL Project: MP00/01 Staff time: Estimated 32 Actual: 34.4 MNR staff have maintained a presence on the water in the MNR on as many days as possible, whilst taking into consideration other duties and weather conditions. Site patrol at Skomer MNR was carried out on 22 days, concentrating on Sundays and Bank Holidays between May and September. A watching brief was maintained at other times when staff were out on the water. Seatime statistics have increased to 305 staff days and 110 boat days, close to levels reached in 1995 and 1996 (See Figure 5.1). This increase is due to a 4 person field team working for 3 days each week. The recording of all observed visitors and use of the MNR has been continued; data from April 2002 to April 2003 is shown in Section 5.

4.2 INFORMATION Project: AS00/01 Staff time: Estimated 3.0 Actual: 0.4 The range of MNR leaflets have continued to be popular with visitors, especially the waterproof version of the ‘User Regulations' leaflet, which was particularly welcomed by people taking part in recreational water sports within the MNR. It is proposed to reprint this leaflet with amendments to the CCW logo and the inclusion of areas of particular sensitivity for cetacean (to be discussed at the 2003 Advisory Committee meeting). The leaflet would then incorporate all the information referred to by the proposed Pembrokeshire Marine Code (see Section 6.7). Leaflets have been available via the MNR office, West Wales Divers, Old Mill Diving Services, local yacht clubs and marinas, local dive charters and schools, and South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee. The ‘Skomer Marine Nature Reserve - General Information' leaflet is also available from dispensers in the exhibition room at Martins Haven. The Skomer MNR interpretation leaflet is expected very soon (see Section 8.1). A laminated version of the MNR zonation map is displayed alongside "Keep Wales Tidy" campaign and Beach awards/water quality information on the Pembrokeshire County Council’s information board posted at the top of Martins Haven Beach.

At the end of 2002 a joint SWSFC and MNR poster, explaining the scallop byelaw was produced (see Section 4.3.4).

4.3 MANAGEMENT ISSUES 4.3.1 Dredging/beam trawling None noted in 2002.

12

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

4.3.2 Potting Project: RH03/05 Watching brief See Section 5.1 for vessels operating in the MNR in 2002. Strings of pots across marked monitoring sites have been encountered at Waybench, North Wall, Bernies Rocks and Bull Hole.

4.3.3 Tangle and gill netting Project: RH03/06 Watching brief None observed in 2002. A suspected net was investigated and found to be a spider crab trap.

4.3.4 Collection of shellfish by divers Project: RH36/01 Watching brief MNR staff recorded no incidents of crustacean collection by divers in 2002. There were, however, claims that some divers were taking scallops. The accusations were passed on to SWSFC. At the end of 2002 a joint SWSFC and MNR poster, explaining the byelaw, has been produced and distributed to all the local dive clubs and dive shops and will be posted at local slipways in 2003. The poster was also widely distributed at the WASAC conference in February 2003.

4.3.5 Collection of curios Project: RH36/01 Watching brief None observed in 2002.

4.3.6 Collection of specimens for education and research Project: AS20/01 Permits were issued to the following: 1st July to 31st October - Francis Bunker and Christine Maggs to collect marine flora and fauna samples for scientific research. 1st August to 31st August - John Archer Thomson and Dale Fort diving course participants to collect flora and fauna samples – single species for research and education.

4.3.7 Disturbance to seals Project: RH03/04 Watching brief Permits were issued to Wildlife Trust West Wales seal census workers under contract to CCW, Juan Brown and Steve Duffield, on Skomer to enable them to approach and dye-mark seal pups. Temporary signs were again erected at the Deer Park entrances and the head of Martin's Haven beach to increase public awareness about seals.

NNR staff recorded 18 individual seals around the Island with either monofilament line or rope netting around the neck. Of these 8 were cows, 1 a mature bull and the rest immature. One of these, a cow with large amounts of green netting fast around the neck has also been seen regularly in the autumn for the past two years. A fully

13

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002 moulted pup was seen in South Haven with monofilament line wrapped around the neck and attached to various pieces of rope and small buoys. It then moved to North Haven where it was cut free of its burden by NNR staff.

MNR staff also recorded several cows with rope or netting around the neck located at mainland sites.

Miles Bettridge and Lee Watt, Pembrokeshire College placement students, tested a study into seal disturbance around mainland sites. The study included the production of an MNR ‘Seal Watching leaflet’ (See Appendix 7), this was distributed at the National Trust Car park at Martins Haven. The leaflet included information about how to behave whilst watching seals. The study will be continued in 2003.

4.3.8 Disturbance to cliff nesting seabirds Project: RH03/03 Watching brief

MNR staff, research workers and the Skomer Island Warden recorded bird disturbance incidents. In 2002 a RIB was seen in the Wick and flushing birds from nests. The people responsible were persuaded by MNR staff to stop their wood collection and leave the Wick. Another RIB was recorded very close to South Stream and High cliff and the RNLI boat was recorded in the Wick.

Pembrokeshire Dive Charter’s ‘Shearwater Safari’ boat Topaz was recorded on one occasion very close to High Cliff. This was the only recorded incident of either of the ‘Safari’ operators (Shearwater Safari or Dale Sea Safari) causing disturbance.

4.3.9 Spear fishing Project: RH36/01 Watching brief None observed in 2002.

4.3.10 Angling Project: RH03/08 Watching brief See Section 5 for numbers of anglers observed. Litter on popular shore ledges was still apparent and a continuing concern in 2002.

4.3.11 Mooring and Anchoring Project: RH36/01 Watching brief Visitor moorings continue to be popular with both yachts and motorboats and encourage vessels to avoid anchoring.

4.3.12 General Boating Project: RH03/02 Watching brief

14

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Several vessels were reminded of the speed limits within the MNR and of the limited access areas as defined in the MNR Code of Conduct and on the MNR ‘User Regulations’ leaflet zone map.

4.3.13 Wrecks The Lucy wreck continues to be a very popular dive site. Dive boats were encouraged not to tie up to the buoy in choppy conditions to avoid unnecessary wear to the rope and loss of the marker.

4.3.14 Oil Project: RH07/01 Watching brief No major pollution incidents were reported in 2002/3 although a small amount of oil came ashore in March 2003 and the NNR warden reported some seals with light patches on their fur.

4.3.15 Water Quality Project: RP63/03 Staff time: Estimated 18 Actual: 0 Bathing water quality data for Martins Haven continues to be obtained from Pembrokeshire County Council (see Table 4.1).

TABLE 4.1 WATER QUALITY DATA FOR MARTIN’S HAVEN 2002 Total Coliforms Faecal Coliforms Faecal Strepptococci Date Sampled cfu/100ml cfu/100ml cfu/100ml 1/5/02 <10 <10 <1 8/5/02 <10 <10 <1 13/5/02 <10 <10 43 20/5/02 <10 <10 <1 27/5/02 <10 <10 <1 5/6/02 <10 <10 <1 10/6/02 18 <10 2 17/6/02 <10 18 2 24/6/02 <10 <10 <1 1/7/02 <10 <10 <1 8/7/02 <10 <10 <1 15/7/02 <10 <10 <1 22/7/02 <10 <10 <1 29/7/02 <10 <10 <1 5/8/02 <10 <10 <1 12/8/02 <10 <10 <1 19/8/02 <10 <10 <1 28/8/02 <10 <10 <1 2/9/02 <10 36 <1 9/9/02 <10 <10 <1 Excellent Quality= less than 500 total coliforms and less than 100 faecal coliforms per 100ml of water. EC guidance standard = 80% achievement.

15

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

5 VISITORS AND USE OF THE MNR 5.1. COMMERCIAL USE Project: RH90/01 Staff time: Estimated 14.0 Actual: 34.6 Commercial fishing activity in Skomer MNR was recorded as in previous years by recording fishing vessels observed operating in the MNR and by weekly mapping of pot marker buoy distribution. In 2002 18 pot maps were produced using GPS positions and these have been transferred to the GIS mapping system MapInfo. A report has been completed that collates all records of potting activities in the Reserve from 1989 to 2002. Annual fishing pot data (1989–2002) has been entered into spreadsheets that are linked to GIS MapInfo maps. These can be used to track changes in fishing intensity throughout the Reserve. The number of boats operating and the effort contributed by each boat to overall potting intensity was also recorded. A summary of the report is shown in Appendix 5.

Fishing boats operating in the MNR during 2002 were recorded as Mizpah (M162), Lydon (M1050), Iris May (SE44), Mi Amor (P227), Solo (M32), Storm (P933) and SH205. The table below shows the number of boats fishing in the MNR from 1990 - 2002: Year 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 No. 13 6 6 11 8 9 16 17 7 5 6 7 boats (Note no boats in 1996 due to Sea Empress fishery closure)

5.2 RECREATIONAL USE Project: RH33/01 Staff time: Estimated 7.0 Actual: 1.6 (data entry) Types and numbers of visitors recorded for the year ending 31 March 2003 are summarised in Table 5.1 and Figures 5.1 to 5.4. Except for the routine sailings of the Dale Princess, figures include all vessels using the MNR to transport passengers to Skomer Island i.e. Dale Fort FSC's Lord Hurcomb. Figures do not include Dale Sea Safaris or Shearwater Safaris trips to Skomer. Records kept by MNR Honorary Wardens and the Skomer Warden and staff have again been most valuable.

5.3 CASUALTY ASSISTANCE The MNR team rescued two canoeists from Pigstone Bay, responding to a coastguard radio request, Little Haven lifeboat crew also attended the incident. One diver was evacuated by helicopter from Martins Haven after being transported there by a dive boat following a

16

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002 diving incident around Skokholm.

5.4 NOTABLE VISITS AND EVENTS Iolo Williams and BBC Wales visited the MNR in September to film underwater scenes for ‘Iolo’s special Reserves’, which is due to be shown during 2003. SA4 ‘Telescope filming’ also visited the MNR in September filming to seal survey work.

17

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

TABLE 5.1 RECORDED RECREATIONAL USE OF SKOMER MNR

1987 1988 1989 1991* 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997** 1998# 1999# 2000# 2001# 2002# Diver visits (diver days) 2727 2827 3334 2368 2327 2379 2730 2192 1745 2934 2287 2893 2008 3360 2310 Shore dives @ Martins Haven 418 511 662 34 436 678 848 537 482 814 817 500 537 537 539 Dive boat visits 358 410 477 341 293 325 394 354 247 361 254 378 278 349 271 Total yachts 147 139 237 203 99 155 213 299 173 218 183 221 232 266 121 Total motot boats - 37 65 70 47 95 129 65 39 70 87 95 93 153 70 Canoes - 80 91 27 74 62 84 98 79 63 48 38 Total recreational craft 505 666 779 614 439 666 763 792 521 733 622 773 333 779 593 Total people on board boats 470 460 939 905 380 273 883 1041 612 874 868 1075 1051 1435 1075

Shore anglers 383 216 300 199 437 766 735 600 331 630 433 386 501 476 458 Boat anglers - 108 73 43 93 199 347 173 81 30 89 60 72 18 70 Total anglers 383 324 373 242 530 965 1082 773 412 660 522 446 573 494 528

* Part of 1991 only ** Figures are for Jan 97 to end of March 98 # Figures are for financial year April to end of March Dive charter figures not yet received for 2002

18

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Figure 5.1 Recorded Recreational Use Skomer MNR

4000 450

400 3500

350 3000 300 2500

250 2000

Numbers 200 Days at sea

1500 150

1000 100

500 50

0 0 1987 1988 1989 1991* 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997** 1998# 1999# 2000# 2001# 2002#

Diver visits Year Total recreational craft People on board boats and yachts Total anglers MNR staff days at sea

19

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Figure 5.2 Skomer MNR 2002 SCUBA Divers

900 30

800 25 700

600 20

500 15 400

300 10 MNR days at Sea Nos. of Individuals

200 5 100

0 0 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

Nos. Divers Nos Dive Boats MNR Days at Sea

MNR Days at Sea Nos. Divers Nos. Dive Boats Total Records April 8 73 2 18 May 14 401 46 47 June 22 823 92 100 July 20 317 40 44 August 17 434 57 62 September 22 262 34 34 October 4 0 0 0 November 1 0 0 0 December 0 0 0 0 January 2 0 0 0 February 0 0 0 0 March 0 0 0 0 Total 110 2310 271 305

20

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Figure 5.3 Skomer MNR 2002 Recreational Craft

100 30

90 25 80

70 20 60

50 15

Nos. of boats 40 MNR days at sea 10 30

20 5 10

0 0 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

Yachts M-boats Diving boats Canoeist MNR Days at Sea

MNR Days at Diving Sea Yachts M-boats Canoeist boats Est. POB* POB** April 8 3 1 1 2 14 0 May 14 10 11 1 46 100 80 June 22 16 16 8 92 98 47 July 20 31 12 1 40 147 130 August 17 46 19 26 57 202 161 September 22 12 6 1 34 62 31 October 4 0 1 0 0 3 0 November 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 December 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 January 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 February 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 March 0 3 4 0 0 0 Total 110 121 70 38 271 626 449

**POB = Total of people aboard yachts and motor-boats - actual observations *Est POB = Total of people aboard yachts and motor boats estimated for all vessels using mean below Mean POB Yts & MBs = 3.4

21

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Figure 5.4 Skomer MNR 2002 Anglers

90 30

80 25 70

60 20

50 15 40

30 10 MNR days at sea Nos. of individuals

20 5 10

0 0 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

NMPE M Haven west W'tack Bay-Deer Pk Offshore MNR Days at Sea

MNR Days at Sea NMPE M Haven west W'tack Bay-Deer Pk Offshore April 8 2 0 0 0 May 14 20 2 9 4

June 22 72 10 45 21 July 20 85 13 55 19 August 17 41 5 28 20 September 22 28 12 28 6

October 4 0 3 0 0 November 1 0 0 0 0 December 0 0 0 0 0 January 2 0 0 0 0

February 0 0 0 0 0 March 0 0 0 0 0 Total 110 248 45 165 70

*NMPE = North Marloes Peninsula East

22

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

6 LIAISON AND ADVISORY COMMITTEES 6.1 ADVISORY COMMITTEE Project: AP80/01 Staff time: Estimated 20 Actual: 14.8 The annual Advisory Committee meeting was held in May 2002, and a meeting of the Research and Education subcommittee was held in October 2002 (see Section 8.1). Dr Robin Crump was accepted as the new chairman of the main committee, and PN and KL acted as secretariat.

6.2 WILDLIFE TRUST WEST WALES Project: ML30/02 Staff time: Estimated 6.5 Actual: 2.5 Liaison with Skomer Island NNR staff and Wildlife Trust West Wales continued throughout the year on an informal basis and via the MNR Advisory Committee. Practical support of the Skomer Island NNR included helping to launch and recover boats. PN also represented Skomer and Skokholm Wardens over plans for a marine code of practice for commercial tourist boats (see Section 6.7). See also Section 8.3 for interpretative projects. MNR staff are grateful to the Skomer NNR staff for their observations and records of visitors to the MNR, particularly on days when MNR staff are not on the water. Project: ML80/04 Staff time: Estimated 1.5 Actual: 0 No Skomer MNR staff attended Skomer and Skokholm committee meetings.

6.3 SOUTH WALES SEA FISHERIES COMMITTEE Project: ML40/02 Staff time: Estimated 1.1 Actual: 1.5 Informal liaison has continued with Phil Coates, SWSFC director, and with local Fisheries Officers and with the crew of the FPV Cranogwen. Liaison is also maintained via the Skomer MNR Advisory Committee.

Reports of fishery byelaw infringements have been passed on to SWSFC (see Section 4.3.4). At the end of 2002 a joint SWSFC and MNR poster, explaining the scallop byelaw was produced (see Section 4.3.4 and Appendix 8).

6.4 PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK Project: ML40/03 Staff time: Estimated 0.8 Actual: 0.8 Close liaison continues with: Χ Jane Hodges, Advisory Committee member and HW;

23

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Χ Steve Drinkwater: Research and Education subcommittee member; Χ Ian Meopham, Ranger; Χ Malcolm Cullen, Ranger, Χ Charles Mathieson, Recreation Management Officer. KL contributed to "Coast to coast" magazine article ‘The Humble Urchin’ (see Appendix 6). The MNR was also involved in the PCNPA 50th Anniversary programme of events, which were unfortunately cancelled due to bad weather.

6.5 NATIONAL TRUST Project: ML30/03 Staff time: Estimated 1.2 Actual: 0.1 Skomer MNR staff continued to liase with National Trust. Informal liaison is maintained with Warden Debbie Kearsley through the Advisory Committee and visits to Martin's Haven. NT car park attendants at Martins Haven served as HW's (see Section 2.2 and 8.2) and assisted MNR staff with opening and closing the MNR exhibition and distributing ‘Seal Watching’ leaflets (see Section 4.3.7 and Appendix 7).

6.6 OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS Liaison with a wide range of organisations and individuals has continued. Whilst much of this liaison has been with members of the Advisory Committee it has also included: Project: ML30/01 Staff time: Estimated 0.6 Actual: 0 Project: ML50/01 Staff time: Estimated 0.3 Actual: 0.1 Liaison with Skomer MNR neighbours at West Hook and Treehill farms continued on an informal basis, as does liaison with other members of the local community. Project: ML40/01 Staff time: Estimated 0.2 Actual: 0 Skomer MNR liaison with local authorities continued via the MNR Advisory Committee, the Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter group and through local officers responsible for beach signs. MNR staff also liaised with PCC to obtain water quality results for Martins Haven (see section 4.3.15) and in organizing Pembrokeshire Fish Week events.

Project: ML60/01 Staff time: Estimated 1.2 Actual: 0.5 Contact with HM Coastguard is maintained during fieldwork and on an informal basis. In 2002 the MNR were also able to supply an MCA shipping survey project with shipping movement data for St Bride’s Bay. PN has also been in contact with MCA officials with regard to the certification of Skalmey under the small workboat regulations.

24

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Project: ML80/02 Staff time: Estimated 1.5 Actual: 0 Liaison with commercial fishermen using Skomer MNR was continued. A local fisherman also continued to serve as an Honorary Warden. His presence on the water for many days of the year is invaluable for maintaining a watching brief for incidents. He has also been helping MNR staff to trial methods for recording commercial species statistics for the MNR area. See Section 7.

Project: ML80/03 Staff time: Estimated 1.2 Actual: 2.7 Skomer MNR liaison with recreational bodies continued. This included sending dive information to diving groups, and liaising with local commercial dive charter operators. Information was also provided to the Eco-tourism operators ‘Shearwater Safari’ and ‘Dale Sea Safari’ and regular liaison established with both operators to ensure that their crews are aware of the MNR byelaws and codes of conduct. PN also gave an illustrated talk to the WASAC conference in February 2003, which was attended by representatives of many Welsh sub-aqua clubs.

Project: ML80/06 Staff time: Estimated 15.0 Actual: 6.0 Skomer MNR liaison with academic and educational bodies continued. This included dealing with individual student enquiries and sending lists of potential projects to Marine Science departments at Bangor, Swansea, Cardiff, Plymouth and Sussex Universities. An ideal venue for forging academic links was the Porcupine Marine Natural History Society conference in March 2003, which was attended by many academic marine scientists (see Section 8.4).

Project: ML80/05 Staff time: Estimated 12.20 Actual: 12.8 Skomer MNR staff continued to liaise with other individuals and groups. These included: Pembrokeshire Marine SAC, Steve Myatt, Dawn Wilde, MCS, Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter, Keep Wales Tidy, Pembrokeshire Fish Week, WWF, DHKD (a Turkish marine NGO), Fugro-Geos, ETS, Cardiff CID, Dyfed Powys Police Special Branch Ports Unit, RSPCA, Marine Strandings Network, WCF, and Trinity House.

6.7 WIDER MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES KL continued as the south and southwest Wales coordinator for Seasearch, a Marine Conservation Society initiative using volunteer divers to conduct >phase 1' style sub-littoral habitat surveys. The Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum have been taking a lead in setting up a Pembrokeshire Marine Code aimed at commercial tourist boat operators, whether taking wildlife cruises around the coasts and islands of Pembrokeshire or taking dive charters. The code is based upon existing legislation and codes for cetacean watching, but expanding it to include seabird and seals. Zone maps have been drawn up for sensitive areas taking the MNR zone map as

25

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

the example. PN has been involved in the planning of the codes, which have been presented to commercial operators and are to be trialed during the coming season.

26

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

7 SCIENCE 7.1 RESEARCH AND EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE One meeting of the Research and Education subcommittee was held in October 2002 to discuss the Skomer MNR interpretative booklet and to review progress on the MNR monitoring programme (see Section 8.1). MB gave an illustrated talk on progress with the work up of past data and refinements to the monitoring programme, including projects started for the first time in 2002.

7.2 CONTRACT SCIENCE A report was received on the 'Grey Seal Breeding Census: Skomer Island, 2001' by Steve Duffield, (see Appendix 5). A sponge survey ‘Establishment of Species lists of sponges and monitoring sites’ was started in October 2002 by Francis Bunker and Jen Jones and is planned to be completed during 2003.

7.3 IN-HOUSE MONITORING Projects currently active and the work undertaken during the year are summarised below and in the Skomer MNR Project Status Report 2002. Seal pupping data for the MNR mainland is included in Appendix 2. Priority 1 projects not completed in 2002 included: RB02/02 Survey species and communities and RM03/02 Monitor epibenthic rock communities: macro-scale.

Priority 2 projects not completed in 2001 included: RB02/01 Survey deep water communities, RB03/03 Monitor rock pool communities, RM53/01 Monitor Pecten population (planned for 2005), RM73/01 Monitor echinus population (planned for 2003), RP42/01 Survey/map substrate distribution, RF43/02 Monitor algal depth limits and RB04/01 Record plankton species/abundance.

See also Skomer MNR Project Status Report 2002 for more detail of results.

Project code: RA01/01 RECORD CETACEANS Priority: 2 Estimated Actual Staff: SS Time: 1.6 2.1 Cetaceans were recorded in Skomer MNR. Species recorded by NNR staff and Dale Princess crew staff included harbour porpoise (1900), common dolphin (137+) and bottlenose dolphin (10). 150-200 common dolphins were additionally recorded 2 miles off Skomer Head bow riding the Irish Ferry.

27

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Project code: RA03/01 MONITOR GREY SEALS Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;CONT;AMCO2;SMNRO;VOL;SS Time: 70.00 81.50 Grey seal pup production on Skomer Island breeding sites was monitored under contract by Wildlife Trust South and West Wales and by MNR staff at mainland sites. Total seal pup births were 128 for Skomer and 48 born on mainland beaches. Mortality on Skomer was approximately 18 per cent (see summary Appendix 5). Mainland pup mortality of those pups observed was approximately 33 percent.

Project code: RA34/01 RECORD ANGLING CATCH RECORDS Priority: 2 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;SMCO;SMNRO Time: 1.00 0.00 No angling catch records were made at Skomer MNR. Recording forms designed for distribution to angling clubs using Skomer MNR have not yet been distributed.

Project code: RB01/01 RECORD VAGRANT & ALIEN SPECIES Priority: 2 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;SMNRO Time: 0.20 0.20 Vagrant and alien species were recorded in Skomer MNR. MNR staff recorded three sightings of sunfish (Mola mola) and there were 38 sightings by the Dale Princess crew. One sighting of a basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) was recorded by the NNR warden in Broad Sound.

Project code: RA33/01 MONITOR TERRITORIAL FISH POPULATIONS Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;SMNRO;SS;VOL Time: 50.00 65.40 Monitoring of territorial fish populations in Skomer MNR was carried out by volunteer diving teams supported by charter vessels funded by CCW. Results for both the 2001 and 2002 surveys have been entered into spreadsheets and distribution maps made using MapInfo GIS software. This data will be used as a baseline for future surveillance.

Project code: RB03 01 MONITOR LITTORAL HABITATS/COMMUNITIES: MACRO- SCALE Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;SMNRO;SS Time: 1.5 0.9 Viewpoint photographs were taken for sites on Skomer and for Deer park and Martins Haven.

28

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Project code: RB03/02 MONITOR LITTORAL COMMUNITIES: MESO-SCALE Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;AMCO2;SMNRO;SS Time: 19.00 12.6 Littoral transects at Skomer MNR were photographed at all six existing sites at Lantern, Wick, South Stream, South Haven, North Haven and part of Double Cliff. The planned littoral monitoring survey contract planned for 2002 was not completed, as insufficient staff time was available for contract management. Trials of new methods designed in 2001 were continued in 2002, these will be incorporated into the specification for the littoral monitoring contract planned for 2003. Closer monitoring of abundance and population/size structure of limpets, trialed in 2001, was continued in 2002. The first population survey of shore clingfish (Lepadogaster lepadogaster) was carried out at Martin's haven.

Project code: RB06/01MAINTAIN SPECIES LIST Priority: 2 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;SMCO;SMNRO Time: 1.50 0.20 Skomer MNR species list was maintained.

Project code: RF23/01 MONITOR ZOSTERA MARINA Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;AMCO2;SMNRO;VOL;SS Time: 32 42.9 Mapping of the Zostera bed in North Haven was started in May by a volunteer diving team supported by a charter vessel funded by CCW. The survey was completed by MNR staff. Maps have been produced using Map Info GIS software and ‘vertical mapping’ software, to show the extent of the bed and the abundance of Zostera. These maps have been compared to the 1997 baseline maps. Preparations for the 2002 volunteer survey were made. Although the area of the Zostera bed has not significantly changed, the Zostera shoot density has had an overall increase over most of the bed, increasing from 104 shoots/m2 in 1997 to 156 shoots/m2 in 2002. A survey report has been completed, see Appendix 5.

Project code: RM03/01 MONITOR EPIBENTHIC ROCK COMMUNITIES: MESO- SCALE Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;AMCO2;SMNRO;SS Time: 8.5 2.7 One dive took place at each site (North Wall and Thorn Rock) for epibenthic rock communities photo monitoring.

Project code: RM03/04 MONITOR SEDIMENT INFAUNA Priority: 2 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO2 Time: 22.5 10.8 Skomer MNR sediment infauna data were studied to inform the design of the 2003 survey.

29

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Data from other studies was also looked at to learn how changes in methodology affect the statistical analysis of results. See Skomer MNR Project Status Report 2003.

Project code: RM03/05 MONITOR BARNACLE & MOLLUSC POPULATIONS Priority: 2 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO Time: 6.00 0 See Project: RB03/02 MONITOR LITTORAL COMMUNITIES: MESO-SCALE for details.

Project code: RM13/01 MONITOR SPONGE POPULATIONS Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;AMCO2;SMNRO;SS;CONT Time: 11.00 24.50 Photographic transects to monitor sponge populations were carried out at Thorn Rock. Analysis has been continued following methods developed in 2001, where morphological diversity is used as an indicator of species diversity, between which there has been found to be a direct correlation. The method is very simple to follow and offers a tested solution to analysing the Skomer MNR sponge population photographic datasets. Results have been entered into the ‘Primer’ statistical package. A paper summarising the results will, hopefully, be produced in 2003/04. In September 2002 a detailed species survey designed to give the MNR an "inventory" of sponge species present at this site was started and will be completed in the 2003 field season. It is intended that outputs from this contract will help MNR staff identify species and also, by repeating this detailed study every few years, check that the annual morphology method is still representative of the population present.

Project code: RM23/01 MONITOR EUNICELLA: POPULATION Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;OTH;SMCO;SMNRO;VOL Time: 17.00 45.80 Sea fan (Eunicella verrucosa) colonies were relocated and photographed at established MNR sites. Each sea fan is also visually inspected for: damage, epiphytes, entanglement and man- made materials, necrosis (dead areas on branches) and the nudibranch Tritonia nilsodhneri.

South Plateau and Bull Hole were dived to assess the sites suitability for sea fan monitoring and as a result Bull Hole has been established as a new site. At Bull Hole 18 sea fans have been mapped and photographed. This has greatly improved the coverage of the Reserve, but there is still a need to increase the number of sea fans monitored on the south side of the Reserve.

Scanning and registration of slides has been carried out, and analysis using MapInfo GIS

30

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

software to measure the fan area and branch length to assess growth rate has been has been started. For results see Skomer MNR Project Status Report 2003.

Project code: RM24/01 RECORD EUNICELLA: GROWTH RATE Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;SMCO;SMNRO Time: 4.00 0

Stereo photographic samples were taken of four seafan colonies (Eunicella verrucosa) at North Wall site. Photographs of other seafans taken for project RM 23/01 are also used for this project and have been scanned and registered for analysis using MapInfo (see above).

Project code: RM44/01 RECORD COMMERCIAL CRUSTACEAN POPULATIONS Priority: 2 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;SMCO;SMNRO Time: 6.50 1.00 Following trials in 2001 further trials using voice-recording methods were carried out, but found to be impractical. A local fisherman who operates mainly in the MNR has offered to make his catch returns available to the MNR on condition that they treated as confidential.

Project code: RM54/01 RECORD NUDIBRANCH SPECIES DIVERSITY Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;AMCO2;MCOW;SMCO;SMNRO; Time: 27.00 40.90 VOL;OTHER A nudibranch survey was conducted during 2002 with help from individual volunteers. Sites around the whole Reserve were chosen to provide a range of habitat types. Nudibranch species were recorded as a list for each site and overall list for the Skomer MNR. Species were photographed where possible. 32 species were recorded at 16 sites and 16 species were chosen for annual monitoring. A report was completed: Luddington 2002, Skomer MNR Nudibranch Diversity Survey 2002. See Appendix 5.

Project code: RM63/01 MONITOR PENTAPORA POPULATION Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;AMCO2;SS;SMNRO Time: 13.00 5.00

31

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Pentapora foliacea colonies were counted on the Bernies Rocks shallow transects, but no colonies were found at the deep transects again in 2002. These transects will continue to be monitored for new recruitment on an annual basis. New transects were established at North of the Neck (11 colonies) and Waybench (17 colonies). These colonies were mapped and photographed at each site.

Project code: RM64/01 RECORD PENTAPORA GROWTH RATE Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;SMCO;SMNRO Time: 3.00 0.00 See project RM63/01.

Project code: RM23/03 MONITOR ALCYONIUM GLOMERATUM: POPULATION Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;AMCO2;SMNRO;SS;VOL Time: 13.50 10.10 Stereo photographic samples were taken at the three 50 x 40cm quadrats at North Wall (established in 1984). Two new sites were established and marked with pitons: 1. North Wall called ‘A glom’ wall. A series of 5 transects with 50 x 70cm quadrats 2. Thorn Rock. 3 fixed position 50 x 70cm quadrats

The colonies were ‘wafted’ before photographing to make them all retract in an attempt to control the variability in colony size. The photographs were analysed using MapInfo GIS software, % frequency counts were made from 5 x 5cm grids. For full results see Skomer MNR Project Status Report 2003.

Project code: RM23/05 MONITOR PARAZOANTHUS Priority: 2 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;AMCO2;SMNRO;SS;VOL Time: 10.00 25.40 Parazoanthus axinellae colonies were photographed at established MNR sites using the methods developed in 2001. A new site was established an marked with pitons at Waybench , called ‘New Wall’.

Density estimates were made using close up photographs and polyps counted using MapInfo GIS software. Area of colony is estimated using a series of transects through the colony and taking photographs of 70 x 50cm quadrats. The images are analysed by overlaying a 5 x 5cm grid and recording presence/absence of Parazoanthus within the grid squares.

Project code: RM23/03 MONITOR CUP CORALS Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;AMCO2;SMNRO;SS;VOL Time: 9.00 8.60 Balanophyllia regia: Stereo photographic samples were taken at the five 50 x 40cm quadrats at Thorn rock (established in 1984).

32 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

A new site at the Wick was mapped and marked with pitons. Three transects were established and fifty one 50 x 40cm quadrats photographed. Balanophyllia counts have been completed using MapInfo GIS software. Caryophylia smithii: As recommended in 2001 Caryophylia counts were completed by eye from the 2002 ‘sponge monitoring ‘ slides taken at Thorn Rock. In addition Steve Myatt, Pembrokeshire College placement student, started a project to test if the size of individual Caryophylia colonies growing on vertical and horizontal rock faces correlates to the depth of silt present. For full results see Skomer MNR Project Status Report 2003.

Project code: RP04/01 RECORD METEOROLOGICAL FACTORS Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: SMNRO, AMCO2, SS Time: 1.00 2.10 See Section 3.3.2 for details of maintenance of the AWS. Data for January to December 2002. The following data is NOT COMPLETE due to problems mentioned in section 3.3.2: Maximum temperature of 21.58 degrees Celsius was recorded in September. Minimum temperature of 2.28 degrees Celsius was recorded in March. Annual wind speed >22knots (Gale Force 6) frequency 25.97%* Annual Maximum gust, March, 82.62 knots Direction of Maximum gust, 266 degrees Annual sunshine hours 811.65 Annual net radiation, w/m' 501.26 Average monthly net radiation 41.78 Annual rainfall, 890.2mm Monthly average rainfall, 74.18mm * Standardised data to 100% i.e. missing data filled in/estimated

Project code: RP63/01 MONITOR SEAWATER TURBIDITY / SUSPENDED Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;AMCO2;SMNRO;SS Time: 9.5 21.2 Turbidity was measured in Skomer MNR by Secchi disc and by automatic logger. The self- recording suspended sediment probe was deployed throughout 2002 and data stored. Lessons learned from this year about length of deployment before biofouling affects the readings taken and the operation of the probe will be put to full use in 2003. In February 2003 a contractor demonstrated how the probe should be calibrated so that in future MNR staff will be able to carry out most of the process in-house. The calibration also allowed the probe to be set to a more sensitive range for the sediment levels recorded in 2002. 23 measurements of turbidity were made using Secchi disc between April and November 2002. The mean reading from June to September was 5.95 m, which is lower than the previous year, but probably only reflects the fact that readings were taken earlier and later in the season when turbidity could be expected to be high. No water samples to assess suspended sediments were taken. Data was analysed for comparison with changes in features.

33 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Project code: RP63/03 MONITOR SEA WATER CHEMISTRY Priority: 2 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;SMCO;SMNRO Time: 1.5 0 Bathing water quality data for Martins Haven continues to be obtained from Pembrokeshire County Council (see section 4.3.15 for data).

Project code: RP63/04 MONITOR SEABED SEDIMENTATION Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;AMCO2;SMNRO;SS Time: 19.00 6.6

A total of 22 seabed sedimentation samples were collected at Skomer MNR using passive sediment traps at the OMS site and at Thorn Rock. No analysis is intended with the samples that are stored frozen unless episodes of unusually high turbidity are recorded in project RP63/01. Subsamples of these have been sent to Environmental Tracing systems Ltd, who are contracted by the Milford Haven Port Authority to monitor dredge spoil dispersal from the recently licenced site, for analysis for their fluorescent tracer (see Section 7.5).

Project code: RP64/01 RECORD SEAWATER TEMPERATURE Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;SMCO;SMNRO;VOL Time: 6.50 9.6 Seawater temperature data was collected at the Skomer MNR Oceanographic Monitoring Site (OMS) using a Valeport Series 600 MkII conductivity, temperature, depth and salinity probe at depth intervals of 5m from surface to above the seabed. 25 profiles were recorded between April and November 2002 in conjunction with projects to measure turbidity and salinity. By having two Minilog temperature loggers working in relays on the OMS frame we have been able to record continuous hourly seabed temperatures in 2002. Maximum surface temperature of 15.64 degrees Celsius was recorded at the beginning of September, minimum surface temperature of 10.14 degrees Celsius was recorded at the end of April (surface temperature recording in winter months is rare due to weather and sea conditions). Minimum seabed temperature of 8.7 degrees Celsius was recorded during March, and maximum seabed temperature of 15.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in August 2001. Seawater temperature data has been analysed and summarised, to be used in statistical studies of biological communities.

Project code: RP64/02 RECORD SEAWATER SALINITY Priority: 2 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;SMCO;SMNRO;VOL Time: 6.5 6.6 Seawater salinity data was collected at the Skomer MNR Oceanographic Monitoring Site (OMS) using a Valeport Series 600 MkII conductivity, temperature, depth and salinity probe at depth intervals of 5m from surface to above the seabed. 25 profiles were recorded between April and November 2002 in conjunction with projects to measure turbidity and temperature. Salinity varied between 33.88 and 34.84 parts per thousand.

Project code: RP64/04 RECORD TIDAL REGIME Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: SMNRO Time: 3.00 0.2

34 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Tidal height data for Skomer MNR was recorded during the period May to November 2002 by using the depth recording facility of one of the Minilog temperature loggers. Output from a purpose-built tide gauge deployed at Martins haven during the bathymetric survey in 2001 correlates very closely with the Minilog data for the same period. This means that the Minilog can be used as a cheap and cheerful measure of actual tidal height against which soundings taken aboard Skalmey can be corrected. No tidal current data was collected other than notes on slack water times.

"Neptune" tidal prediction software was also purchased to allow tide times to be predicted for fieldwork.

Project code: RV40/01 COLLATE BATHYMETRIC INFORMATION Priority: 2 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;SMCO;SMNRO Time: 6.00 0.00 See project RP32/01.

Project code: RV40/02 MAP MONITORING SITES Priority: 2 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;SMCO;SMNRO;SS Time: 11.0 1.5 Some mapping of Skomer MNR monitoring sites took place: At the Waybench site (WAY) new transects for Pentapora were set up (see RM63/01); At Bull Hole (BHO) more seafans were mapped out (see RM23/01); At Thorn Rock (TRK) rock-mill BB remarked quadrat locators (see RM03/01).

Project code: RP32/01 SURVEY SEABED TOPOGRAPHY Priority: 1 Estimated Actual Staff: AMCO;MCOW;SMCO;SMNRO Time: 21.0 2.9 Some survey of seabed topography was carried out at Skomer MNR using Skalmey's on- board depth sounder with depths corrected by using the depth logging facility of the continuous temperature logger (see project RP64/04). Modifications still need to be made to the logging software on the laptop used to record depths and positions as at present the positional data is not recorded with a high enough degree of precision. In 2002 very few projects have not been done, other than those that are not normally carried out on an annual basis. As can be seen, a relatively small overall increase in staff resource has enabled us to not only increase the amount of fieldwork achieved, but given us the opportunity to carry out long overdue reviews of results and methodologies. As a result many projects have exceeded their planned time. This is also partly due to continued increase in input from volunteers.

7.4 DATA HANDLING DEVELOPMENT Pot map data continues to be recorded using the GPS unit and transferred electronically to the

35 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Geographical Information System based on MapInfo. Data has been worked up to produce fishing intensity maps as in Appendix 7 and a report completed, see Appendix 5. Analysis of monitoring photographs has continued and includes: littoral viewpoint and transect work, sublittoral projects: Eunicella verrucosa, Pentapora foliacea, Parazoanthus axinellae, Alcyonium glomeratum, Balanophylia regia, Caryophylia smithii, epibenthic rock communities, and sponge assemblages. In March 2003 CCW computer support staff re-equipped the MNR office with new computers. This has not only meant a great increase in efficiency when analysing data, but has rectified difficulties with the internal office network that continued to plague us throughout 2002. The new system has also meant that we have Internet access and access to CCW’s internal “Intranet” facility. In February 2003 PN and MB attended the Primer statistics course at Plymouth Marine Laboratories, which provided the MNR with the PRIMER software. This has been put to considerable use in data analysis.

7.5 OTHER WORK During 2002 small clippings were taken from MNR Eunicella colonies for a CCW Species Challenge funded project into the reproductive biology of seafans. Reef Research (Colin and Lexie Munroe) are undertaking the study based on seafan colonies in Devon and at Skomer MNR. MNR clippings have shown what are thought to be eggs and sperm, although at lower levels than the Devon population. Time of spawning in Devon is thought to be during late August. PN has also been involved in the Biodiversity Action Plan reporting process for Eunicella as CCW’s nominated officer. MNR staff were also involved in taking samples for Environmental Tracing Systems. This company was contracted by Milford Haven Port Authority to carry out monitoring of dredge spoil dispersal from the licensed site. Grab samples and subsamples from MNR sediment traps were sent to the company for analysis for fluorescent tracer used during the dredge spoil disposal operation. See also project RP63/01.

36 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

8 EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION 8.1 RESEARCH AND EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE One meeting of the Research and Education subcommittee was held in October to discuss the Skomer MNR interpretative booklet and to review progress on the MNR monitoring programme. Project: MI50/02 Staff time: Estimated 0 Actual: 14.8 MNR liaison with CCW publications staff preparing the MNR booklet continued throughout 2002 culminating in its production in April 2003. Unfortunately the 5000 copies produced had fundamental flaws that prevented them being distributed.

MNR video footage and voice-overs by PN and KL were supplied to contractor Phil Stead of CC4W to produce 12 “monthly” video clips showing a ‘Year in the MNR’ for the children’s section of the CCW website. The MNR obtained a VHS version with sub-titles that can be shown in the Visitor center.

8.2 FISHERMAN'S COTTAGE MNR EXHIBITION Project: MI50/01 Staff time: Estimated 8.0 Actual: 2.4 The MNR exhibition at Martin's Haven was open on 200 days from the end of March 2002 through to the beginning of November. A central display stand was present, (whilst not being used at external sites) and used to display presentations on current work in the MNR, current marine issues in the UK and seasonal displays (e.g. seals in autumn). A new mobile display has been purchased as the old panels were becoming unstable, but it is planned to use the old ones to mount a semi-permanent central display mounted on a timber frame. Uncorrected counts from the logger (break the beam counter) showed the total number of visitors to be approximately 15770 for the period the exhibition was opened. Current totals of seal pup counts were also displayed to inform visitors during the seal pupping season.

8.3 OTHER INITIATIVES A MNR mobile display has been produced with illustrations of marine life in the MNR and presentations on current work in the MNR. The display was used at: • Keep Wales Tidy launch of the ‘Tidy Tackle’ campaign at Stackpole Quay in June; • ‘Pembrokeshire Fish Week’ launch day at Milford docks and at PCNP St Davids Visitor Centre held in June; • Pembrokeshire Darwin Science Festival event held at Pembrokeshire College in September; • MCS conference held in Edinburgh in October; • WASAC conference held in Swansea in February; • Porcupine Marine Natural History Society conference held in Cardiff in March; • Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter workshop held at Pembrokeshire College in March;

37 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

• Pembrokeshire Visitor Centre staff preseason training in March. KL produced a trial ‘Skomer MNR Seal Watching’ leaflet that was distributed at the National Trust Car park, Martins Haven and used by PCNP staff during guided walks and activities (see Appendix 8). PN is involved in the preparation of an integrated interpretation plan for the Skomer/Marloes peninsula area, together with CCW HQ staff, WTSWW, PCNPA, PCC, NT and others.

8.4 TALKS AND PRESENTATIONS Project: MI10/01 Staff time: Estimated 1.6 Actual: 0.2 Visitors to the Martins Haven office were given information about Skomer MNR. Enquiries included the perennial requests for tickets for the boat to Skomer, and enquiries about seals and marine life encountered by divers.

Project: ML80/06 Staff time: Estimated 1 Actual: 1 Skomer MNR liaison with academic and educational bodies continued. This included talks to visiting academic groups and supplying information to students (see Section 6.6). Groups included Pembrokeshire College, Field Studies Council Centres, Cardiff University and Plymouth University.

Project: MI00/01 Staff time: Estimated 1.1 Actual: 2.8 MNR staff had an active year giving presentations to a range of audiences: MB gave a presentation to the Dale Community in May, KL to Bristol University in June, PN to the CCW Honorary Wardens Conference in July, PN at the Pembrokeshire Darwin Science Festival event in September, PN at the WASAC conference in February, MB at the Porcupine Conference in March and KL at the Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter workshop in March.

8.5 MEDIA Project: ML70/01 Staff time: Estimated 1.5 Actual: 7.6 Skomer MNR liaison with the media continued: PN prepared material for an article in ‘The Western Telegraph’: ‘Reserve recognises role of volunteers’ (See Appendix 6). KL prepared material for an article in "Coast to Coast" entitled ‘The Humble Urchin’ (See Appendix 6). KL prepared material for an article in "Adain y Ddraig”: ‘Seagrass survey keeps a health check on unique habitat’. (See Appendix 6). Following a seal pup monitoring trip with MNR staff CCW Senior Director Dr Malcolm Smith wrote an article for the “Sunday Times” about Seal pups in the MNR entitled: Survival of the fittest on a slippery slope’. (See Appendix 6). S4C filmed MNR staff surveying seals on mainland beaches for the S4C programme ‘Gwillt’. Iolo Williams and BBC Wales visited the MNR in September to film MNR staff above and below the water for the programme ‘Iolo’s special reserves’ that is scheduled for broadcast

38 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

some time in 2003.

39 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The MNR staff thank all those who contributed to, or supported in any way the management of the MNR during 2002. Thanks to: < Contributors to the Advisory committees, especially Dr Robin Crump, who chairs both the main committee and, with Dr Chris Wooldridge, the Research and Education subcommittee; < Honorary Wardens; < Juan Brown and Skomer NNR staff; < Steve Myatt for voluntary warden assistance with diving, boat and shore fieldwork; < Nick Jeremy for voluntary assistance with diving; < Miles Bettridge and Lee Watt for their work on the seal disturbance study; < The crew of the Dale Princess; < All our Honorary Wardens for contributing to user records and Mike, Brian and Lionel for making sure the exhibition opened as often as possible; < The volunteer diving teams that were involved in the territorial fish population survey, the eelgrass survey and the nudibranch survey.

With apologies to anyone omitted from above.

40 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

APPENDIX 1

ABBREVIATIONS

AcoP Approved Code of Practice AWS Automatic weather station BS-AC British Sub-Aqua Club BTO British Trust for Ornithology CEFAS Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science CCW Countryside Council for Wales DTI Department of Trade and Industry DEFRA Department of Environment, Fisheries and Rural affairs EA Environment Agency EN English Nature ETS Environmental Tracing Systems EU European Union FPV Fisheries Protection Vessel FSC Field Studies Council FTA Fixed Term Appointment HSC Health and Safety Commission HW Honorary Warden JNCC Joint Nature Conservation Committee MHPA Milford Haven Port Authority MHWEMSG Milford Haven Waterway Environmental Monitoring Steering Group MNR Marine Nature Reserve MCA Marine Coastguard Agency MCO Marine Conservation Officer MCS Marine Conservation Society NCEAG National Coasts and Estuaries Advisory Group NNR National Nature Reserve NT National Trust OMS Oceanographic monitoring site PCC Pembrokeshire County Council PCF Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum PCNP Pembrokeshire Coast National Park PMcSAC Pembrokeshire Marine candidate Special Area of Conservation POCG Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter Group RIB Rigid-hulled inflatable boat RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds RSPCA Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals RYA Royal Yachting Association SDSC Scientific Diving Supervisory Committee SNH Scottish Natural Heritage SWSFC South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee WAG Welsh Assembly Government WTSWW Wildlife Trust South and West Wales

41 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

APPENDIX 2

SKOMER MNR SEAL PUPPING DATA

Seal Pup Production Skomer MNR Mainland 2002

First sighted at No. first sighted Date last Seen to No. Survival at location checked moult assumed* Wooltack Bay Caves 4 7-Oct-2002 2 2 Martins Haven Caves 1 18-Nov-2002 0 1 Jeffery's Haven 3 18-Nov-2002 3 3 Pebbly Beach 16 18-Nov-2002 12 12 Three Doors Cave & Beach 5 1-Nov-2002 2 2 Horseshoe Cave 3 25-Sep-2002 0 2 Boulder Beach & Cave 5 18-Nov-2002 2 2 Little Castle Bay 7 1-Nov-2002 7 7 Victoria Bay 0 1-Nov-2002 0 0 Rainy Rock Beach & Cave 1 1-Nov-2002 0 0 Renny Slip & Cave 1 1-Nov-2002 0 0 West Hook Bay Total 46 28 31

Number of seal pups unaccounted for 9 Mortality assumed 2 Still born 3 RSPCA care 0 Marine strandings 1

Skomer MNR (mainland + island) 1992 - 2002

250

200

150

100

50

0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Year

Pup production Pup survival

42 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

S E DUFFIELD (2003) GREY SEAL BREEDING CENSUS: SKOMER ISLAND 2002.

SUMMARY

One hundred and twenty eight pups were born on Skomer within the period of observation (10th August - 24th November). This is the lowest number since 1990 when there were one hundred and seven births within the season. There were 23 losses giving a survival rate of 82%, slightly below the average for the past twelve years at 84%. The majority of the deaths can be attributed to either abandoned pups or individuals that drowned. Both pup movements and the number of wanderers were notably high, as they were last year.

The peak number of pups born in any seven day period was 22 between 10th and 16th September. There were also 19 births between 8th and 14th October.

The mean age at the onset of moult was 12 days – the lowest recorded. The average duration of moult was conversely, very long at 8.6 days.

Sketches were made of 42 animals of which 14 were re-identified from previous years. SH9 was last seen 19 years ago in 1983 and LS36, 16 years ago in 1986. SK150, “Sooty Brown” was recorded for her ninth year, successfully rearing a pup.

There were at least 18 individuals noted with either monofilament wire or rope netting fast around the neck.

There were two mothers observed feeding pups other than their own.

43 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

APPENDIX 3 SKOMER MNR VISITOR CENTRE NUMBERS 2002 Skomer MNR Exhibition Visitors 2002. total visitors = 15770, days open = 200, mean visitors per day open = 79

120 100 80 60 40

Visitor numbers 20 0

2 2 02 02 02 02 02 02 02 3/02 4/02 0 04/02 0 05/02 05/ 06/02 06/ /07/02 07/ 07/ 08/ 09/ 10/ 11/0 12/0 25/ 08/ 22/ 06/ 20/ 03/ 17/ 01 15/ 29/ 12/08/0226/ 09/09/0223/ 07/10/0221/ 04/11/0218/ 02/ Date

44 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

APPENDIX 4 SEAWATER TEMPERATURE LOGGER RESULTS 2002

Temperature at seabed 2002

16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 Temperature oC 8 7 6 11/05/01 12/25/01 02/13/02 04/04/02 05/24/02 07/13/02 09/01/02 10/21/02 12/10/02 Date

45 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

APPENDIX 5

SKOMER MNR SCIENCE REPORT SYNOPSES

Skomer MNR team (2002) Commercial potting activities in the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve (1989 –2002). CCW West Area Report 19.

REPORT SYNOPSIS

This report collates all records of potting activities in the Skomer MNR from 1989 to 2002. The GIS package MapInfo was used to produce density maps of potting intensity in the Skomer MNR. The number of boats operating in the Reserve, and the effort contributed by each boat to overall potting intensity was also observed. The results showed that all areas suitable for potting were fished regularly from 1989 to 2002. As a consequence, no areas exist within the Reserve that could be used as control sites to study the effects of potting on sub littoral rocky reef communities.

The intensity of potting effort varied considerably over time and area. From 1992 –1995 potting effort declined, whilst in 1996 no potting occurred due to a fishing ban imposed after the Sea Empress oil spill. By comparison, 1997 showed a rapid increase in both number of boats and potting effort within the Skomer MNR. From 1999 to 2001 another decline in effort was observed as the number of fishing boats decreased to the lowest level in the 14- year period. By contrast, potting effort showed a sudden increase in 2002. Although a total of 48 boats were recorded potting within the Skomer MNR 1990-2002, 4-5 boats were responsible for most of the potting effort.

Trends in potting activity were observed between 1989 and 2002, although present monitoring methods under-estimate potting effort. No correlation can be made between potting effort and catch return, as no records exist for the amount of shellfish caught within Skomer MNR. Impacts of potting could be looked for at biological monitoring sites in the Skomer MNR, where observations have been made since 1994 for species such as the pink sea fan (Eunicella verrucosa) and Ross coral (Pentapora foliacea).

46 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Luddington, L (2002) Skomer Marine Nature Reserve, Nudibranch Diversity Survey 2002. CCW West Area Report No. 18.

SYNOPSIS

Nudibranchs are a feature of the Skomer MNR and the diversity of species is of conservation interest. A total of 16 sites representing a range of habitats were surveyed for nudibranch species on 20 dives, resulting in a total of 32 species for the Skomer MNR during 2002. Photographs of 18 species were taken in situ or in an aquarium. The species area curve showed that the cumulative number of new species increased with the number of dives. Other factors that may have affected the number of new species observed include the number of different habitats searched and expertise of the observers. For monitoring purposed, future annual surveys would include a “hit list” of conspicuous species observable in a range of habitats for rare or cryptic species. Detailed searches of all habitats for nudibranch diversity within the Skomer MNR would be repeated every 5 years to monitor species diversity in the long-term.

47 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Lock, K (2003) Skomer Marine Nature Reserve. Distribution and Abundance of Zostera marina in North Haven 2002. CCW West Area Report No. 22.

SYNOPSIS

Divers mapped the boundaries of the Zostera marina bed in North Haven and completed a density map of Zostera shoots occurring within the boundaries. Permanent markers and methods established in the 1997 survey were used and maps compared.

The area of Zostera bed has not significantly changed; in 1997 area was estimated at 6771m2 and in 2002 6700 m2. The 2002 map shows that there has been an overall increase in shoot density and a significant shoot density increase in the southwest and northeast areas of the bed. In 1997 the mean density was 36.2 shoots/m2 , which increased to 54 shoots/m2 in 2002. The percentage frequency of 50 shoots/m2 or greater was 38% in 1997 increasing to 56% in 2002; in 2002 11% of the bed was recorded as 100 shoots/m2 or greater whilst in 1997 this was less than 1%.

The North Haven Zostera bed is currently in favorable condition.

48 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

APPENDIX 6

MEDIA ARTICLES

49 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

50 SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

APPENDIX 7 SEAL WATCHING

LEAFLET Mating takes place as soon as the mother has left her weaned pup, though SEALS AND SEAL PUPS the male seals often harass females while they’re still feeding a pup.

They leave the beaches, but return to shore regularly to The Pembrokeshire coast is home to hundreds of Atlantic After mating, pregnancy is delayed for three months. The gestation period rest. is then nine months. Mature females may have a pup every year. grey seals. The females give birth to their single pups on quiet beaches and in caves, from August through to When not feeding or travelling, grey seals “haul out” on rocks or beaches, or rest in the sea at the surface or underwater. December.

The white, furry pups spend their first three weeks on shore, feeding and sleeping. Some can be quite active. A few go for frequent swims, even when less than a week old. HOW TO TELL A SEAL PUP’S AGE

Mother seals come ashore to feed their pups three or four times a day. Pups must treble their birth weight in their first three weeks, so they need every feed. By the time the pup is weaned, the mother has lost up to a third of

After about threeher weeks,body weight. the pups are left to fend for

themselves. By this time they have shed their white coats. CLASS I (0-5 DAYS) CLASS II (6-10 DAYS) Body shape thin, neck well- Smoother outline. Neck still defined, skin in loose folds visible but no loose folds on around body. Coat may be body. Coat whiter. Very vocal. stained yellowish. Movements (The pup shown has been marked with dye for research purposes). 51 are rather uncoordinated.

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

MALE AND FEMALE SEALS

Female seals (cows) live for about 35 years, males (bulls) for

about 25 years. Both become sexually mature at four to five years. Successful mating males are likely to be 11-16 years old.

Male seals can be recognised by their larger size and the “Roman nose” shape of their muzzle. Females often have a lighter CLASS III (11-15 DAYS) CLASS IV (16-20 DAYS) background colour on the neck. Body rounded or barrel- Shape like III but patches shaped. Neck not visible. of white fur have moulted. Males rarely fight each other but compete through threat gestures and vocalisations. Weaned or near weaning. Dominance hierarchies are only seen during the breeding season.

CLASS V (21 DAYS PLUS) To find out more about seals, join a P White fur fully moulted. walk, listed in the free newspaper “Coast Loses some weight after the address below. weaning. Often segregated from breeding area. embrokeshire Coast National Park guided

to Coast”, or visit the exhibition at

52

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Fisherman’s Cottage Martin’s Haven Marloes Pembrokeshire SA62 3BJ Tel: 01646 636 736

Email: [email protected]

SEAL WATCHING When: August through to December.

around SKOMER MARINE NATURE RESERVE Where: On beaches of the Marloes Peninsula and Skomer Island.

How: Seals are easily disturbed. Please keep as still, A guide to observing seals and quiet and inconspicuous as possible. If viewing from the cliff-top, keep low and take care not to cast your shadow pups on the beach below. Never approach seals close up.

If disturbed, mothers will keep away and the pups will miss feeds. Sometimes the mother may even abandon her pup.

53

SKOMER MNR ANNUAL REPORT 2002

APPENDIX 8

CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SCALLOP WITHIN THE SKOMER MARINE NATURE RESERVE NOTICE TO DIVERS AND FISHERMEN

54