DOCSLIB.ORG

An Assessment of the Conservation Importance of Benthic Epifaunal

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
An Assessment of the Conservation Importance of Benthic Epifaunal Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 507 An assessment of the conservation importance of benthic epifaunal species and habitats identified during a series of research cruises around NW Scotland and Shetland in 2011 COMMISSIONED REPORT Commissioned Report No. 507 An assessment of the conservation importance of benthic epifaunal species and habitats identified during a series of research cruises around NW Scotland and Shetland in 2011 For further information on this report please contact: Laura Steel Scottish Natural Heritage Great Glen House INVERNESS IV3 8NW Telephone: 01463 725236 E-mail: [email protected] This report should be quoted as: Moore, C.G. (2012). An assessment of the conservation importance of benthic epifaunal speciesand habitatsidentified during a series of research cruisesaround NW Scotland and Shetland in 2011. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 507 (Project no. 13058). Thisreport,or anypartofit,shouldnotbereproducedwithoutthepermissionofScottishNaturalHeritage.This permissionwillnotbewithheldunreasonably.Theviewsexpressedbytheauthor(s) ofthisreportshouldnotbe takenastheviewsandpoliciesofScottishNaturalHeritage. ©ScottishNaturalHeritage2012 COMMISSIONED REPORT Summary An assessment of the conservation importance of benthic epifaunal species and habitats identified during a series of research cruises around NW Scotland and Shetland in 2011 Commissioned Report No. 507 (Project no. 13058) Contractor: Dr Colin Moore Year of publication: 2012 Background To help target marine nature conservation action in Scotland, SNH and JNCC have generated a focused list of habitats and species of importance in Scottish waters - the PriorityMarine Features(PMFs). A subset of these features(termed MPA search features) will drive the identification of Nature Conservation MPAs. The principal aim of the present investigation was to improve knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of species and habitatsof recognised conservation importance in Scottish waters, especially PMFs, but also taking into consideration other importance measures. Thiswasto be achieved through the analysis of seabed video and still photographic imagery collected during research cruises around Scotland in 2011 by Marine Scotland Science, Scottish Environment Protection Agencyand Scottish Natural Heritage. Imagery was analysed from surveys at 9 locations: around Fetlar and south-west of Scallowayin the Shetland Isles, along the northern mainland coast off Armadale and in Loch Eriboll, in the mouth of Little Loch Broom, in two bank areasin the Minch (Shiant East Bank and The Little Minch), around the Isle of Canna and in the Sound of Sleat including the outer partsof Loch Hourn and Loch Nevis. Main findings Fifteen species and 21 habitats of conservation importance were recorded, which included 17 PMFs, of which 14 were MPA search features. No habitat PMFs were identified at Fetlar, Scalloway and Armadale, the only PMFs observed being sparse recordsof cod at Fetlar and Armadale, and ling at Fetlar. Burrowed mud (SS.SMu.CFiMu.SpnMeg) was widely distributed in the inner part of Loch Eriboll but the characterising seapen populationswere generally sparse or absent. The outer part of the loch isextensivelyfloored with rippled fine sand and thisappeared to be utilised bysandeelsat one station. i Mapping of the aggregationsof northern feather star Leptometra celtica at the mouth of Little Loch Broom revealed a fairly well-defined bed running across the centre of the outer sill. The extent of the bed wasestimated to be of the order of 2 ha, although the north-eastern margin was not precisely determined. Sparse northern sea fans Swiftia pallida were also recorded on the outer sill. The two Minch locations supported ten PMFs. Swiftia pallida (chiefly CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi.LgAs) and deep sponge (CR.HCR.DpSp.PhaAxi) communities were widelydistributed in the Minch, but most instances were atypical examples, being substrates of cobbles and boulders on sediment. Burrowed mud with the tall seapen Funiculina quadrangularis (SS.SMu.CFiMu.SpnMeg.Fun) and sparse fireworks anemonesPachycerianthus multiplicatus were observed off the Shiant East Bank, whilst The Little Minch supported white cluster anemonesParazoanthus anguicomus and fields of Leptometra celtica on mixed substrata at several sites. Eleven PMFswere noted around the Isle of Canna. Swiftia pallida and the associated biotope, CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSwi.LgAs, were widely distributed throughout the survey area, with the community including Parazoanthus anguicomus at a number of sites. CR.HCR.DpSp.PhaAxi was also present, particularly on the margins of the Hyskeir Bank. Burrowed mud wasextensively recorded, particularly to the north of Rum, where the mud supported dense Funiculina quadrangularis and megafaunal crustaceans (SS.SMu.CFiMu.SpnMeg.Fun). Pachycerianthus multiplicatus was also present here. Fields of dense Leptometra celtica on mixed substrata were recorded in the Sound of Canna and to the north and south of the sound. Specimens of the fan mussel Atrina fragilis were observed along five video runsin the Sound of Canna and became common at pointsalong three of them. The video survey suggests that extensive areas of the Sound of Sleat and the outer basins of Loch Hourn and Loch Nevis support densely burrowed mud with rich populations of Funiculina quadrangularis (SS.SMu.CFiMu.SpnMeg.Fun), accompanied by Pachycerianthus multiplicatus in the mouth of Loch Hourn. Fields of Leptometra celtica on mixed substrata were also recorded in Loch Hourn. For further information on this project contact: Laura Steel, Scottish Natural Heritage, Great Glen House, Inverness, IV3 8NW Tel: 01463-725236 For further information on the SNH Research & Technical Support Programme contact: DSU(Policy&AdviceDirectorate),ScottishNaturalHeritage,GreatGlenHouse,Inverness,IV38NW. Tel:[email protected] ii Contents Page no. 1 INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1 2 METHODS .........................................................................................................................2 3 RESULTS ..........................................................................................................................3 3.1 Fetlar ..........................................................................................................................3 3.2 Scalloway ...................................................................................................................5 3.3 Armadale....................................................................................................................5 3.4 Loch Eriboll ................................................................................................................7 3.5 Little Loch Broom.......................................................................................................8 3.6 Shiant East Bank .......................................................................................................9 3.7 The Little Minch........................................................................................................11 3.8 Canna.......................................................................................................................12 3.9 Sound of Sleat, Loch Hourn and Loch Nevis ..........................................................14 4 DISCUSSION...................................................................................................................16 5 REFERENCES.................................................................................................................20 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1 Positional and temporal details of video sequences recorded during the surveys .................................................................................................... ....... 22 Appendix 2 Physical and biological descriptions of the survey sites.................................. 36 Appendix 3 Biotopes recorded with sites of occurrence and illustrative photograph or video frame grab.............................................................................................. 108 LIST OF TABLES Table 1 Survey location details ...................................................................................... 2 Table 2 Species and biotopes, recorded during the surveys, of recognised conservation importance and their frequency of occurrence in each survey location .................................................................................................. 17 iii LIST OF FIGURES Page no. Figure 1 Distribution of survey locations (blue boxes) and sites (red circles)................ 1 Figure 2 Distribution of biotope records around Fetlar, Shetland Isles .......................... 4 Figure 3 Distribution of biotope records off Scalloway, Shetland Isles .......................... 5 Figure 4 Distribution of biotope records off Armadale .................................................... 6 Figure 5 Distribution of biotope records in Loch Eriboll.................................................. 8 Figure 6 Distribution of biotope records at the mouth of Little Loch Broom, with inset showing the distribution of dense Leptometra celtica on mixed substrates.......................................................................................................... 9 Figure 7 Distribution of biotope records around the Shiant East Bank .......................... 10 Figure 8 Distribution
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Download PDF Version
    MarLIN Marine Information Network Information on the species and habitats around the coasts and sea of the British Isles Fireworks anemone (Pachycerianthus multiplicatus) MarLIN – Marine Life Information Network Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Review Catherine Wilding & Emily Wilson 2008-04-24 A report from: The Marine Life Information Network, Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Please note. This MarESA report is a dated version of the online review. Please refer to the website for the most up-to-date version [https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1272]. All terms and the MarESA methodology are outlined on the website (https://www.marlin.ac.uk) This review can be cited as: Wilding, C. & Wilson, E. 2008. Pachycerianthus multiplicatus Fireworks anemone. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. (eds) Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on- line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.17031/marlinsp.1272.2 The information (TEXT ONLY) provided by the Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales License. Note that images and other media featured on this page are each governed by their own terms and conditions and they may or may not be available for reuse. Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available here. Based on a work at www.marlin.ac.uk (page left blank) Date: 2008-04-24 Fireworks anemone (Pachycerianthus multiplicatus) - Marine Life Information Network See online review for distribution map Individual with out-stretched tentacles.
    [Show full text]
  • Fine Structure of the Podia in Three Species of Paxillosid Asteroids of the Genus Lu/Dia (Echinodermata)
    Belg. J. Zool. - Volume 125 (1995) - issue 1 - pages 125-134 - Brussels 1995 FINE STRUCTURE OF THE PODIA IN THREE SPECIES OF PAXILLOSID ASTEROIDS OF THE GENUS LU/DIA (ECHINODERMATA) by PATRICK FLAMMANG * La boratoire de Biologie Marine, Université de Mons-Hainaut, 19 av. Maistriau, B-7000 Mons, Belgium SUMMARY lndividuals of the paxillosid asteroid genus Luidia use their podia in locomotion a nd burrowing. Each podium in the three considered species consists of a stem wi tb a pointed knob at its tip. The knob consists of four tissue layers that are, from the inside to the outside, a mesothelium, a connective ti ss ue layer, a nerve plexus, and an epidermis. The latter is made up of four cell categories : secretory cells, neurosecretory cells, non-secretory cili ated cell s, and support cells. The epidermal cells of the podial knob are presumabl y fun ctioning as a duo­ gland adhesive system in which adhesive secretions would be produced by secretory cell s wh ile de-adhesion, on the other band, would be due to neurosecretory cell secretions. Although the podia of the three considered species of Luidia share numerous simjlarities, there are nevertheless severa! important morphological differences between, on the one band, the podia of L. ciliaris and L. maculata, and, on the other band, the podia of L. penangensis. These dif­ ferences stress that carefulness is required when ge n e r a lj zat ion ~, drawn from the morphology of a single species, are applied to related species havin g the sa me ]jfe style ; but also that the gem1s Luidia needs to be re-exa mined from a taxonomjc p-o int of view.
    [Show full text]
  • Coll Survey June 2003 Summary Report
    Coll Survey kelp forest June 2003 3-bearded rockling Summary Report nudibranch Cuthona caerulea bloody Henry starfish and elegant anemones snake pipefish and sea cucumber diver and soft corals North-west Coast SS Nevada Sgeir Bousd Cairns of Coll Sites 22-28 were exposed, rocky offshore reefs reaching a seabed of The wreck of the SS Nevada (Site 14) lies with the upper Sites 15-17 were offshore rocky reefs, slightly less wave exposed but more Off the northern end of Coll, the clean, coarse sediments at around 30m. Eilean an Ime (Site 23) was parts against a steep rock slope at 8m, and lower part on current exposed than those further west. Rock slopes were covered with kelp Cairns (Sites 5-7) are swept by split by a narrow vertical gully from near the surface to 15m, providing a a mixed seabed at around 16m. The wreck still has some in shallow water, with dabberlocks Alaria esculenta in the sublittoral fringe at very strong currents on most spectacular swim-through. In shallow water there was dense cuvie kelp large pieces intact, providing homes for a variety of Site 17. A wide range of animals was found on rock slopes down to around states of the tide, with little slack forest, with patches of jewel and elegant anemones on vertical rock. animals and seaweeds. On the elevated parts of the 20m, including the rare seaslug Okenia aspersa, and the snake pipefish water. These were very scenic Below 15-20m rock and boulder slopes had a varied fauna of dense soft wreck, bushy bryozoans, soft corals, lightbulb seasquirts Entelurus aequorius.
    [Show full text]
  • Phlebobranchia of CTAW
    PHLEBOBRANCHIA PHLEBOBRANCHIA The suborder Phlebobranchia (order Enterogona) is characterised by having unpaired gonads present only on the same side of the body as the gut. As in Stolidobranchia, the body is not divided into different sections (such as thorax, abdomen and posterior abdomen) as the gut is folded up in the parietal body wall outside the pharynx and the large branchial sac occupies the whole length of the body. Usually the branchial sac (which is flat, without folds) has internal longitudinal vessels (although only vestiges remain in Agneziidae). Epicardial sacs do not persist in adults as they do in Aplousobranchia, although excretory vesicles (nephrocytes) embedded in the body wall over the gut are known to originate from the embryonic epicardium in Ascidiidae and Corellidae. Most phlebobranchs are solitary. However, Plurellidae Kott, 1973 includes both solitary and colonial forms, and Perophoridae Giard, 1872 are all colonial. Replication in Perophoridae is from ectodermal epithelium (rather than endodermal or mesodermal tissue the mesodermal tissue of the vascular stolon (rather than the endodermal tissue as in most as in Aplousobranchia). The process of replication has not been investigated in Plurellidae. Phlebobranch taxa occurring in Australia are documented in Kott (1985). Family level taxa are characterised principally by the size and form of the branchial sac including the number of branchial vessels and form of the stigmata; the form, size and position of the gonads; and the habit (colonial or solitary) of the taxon. Berrill (1950) has discussed problems in assessing the phylogeny of Perophoridae. References Berrill, N.J. (1950). The Tunicata. Ray Soc. Publs 133: 1–354 Giard, A.M.
    [Show full text]
  • (Echinoidea, Echinidae) (Belgium) by Joris Geys
    Meded. Werkgr. Tert. Kwart. Geol. 26(1) 3-10 1 fig., 1 tab., 1 pi. Leiden, maart 1989 On the presence of Gracilechinus (Echinoidea, Echinidae) in the Late Miocene of the Antwerp area (Belgium) by Joris Geys University of Antwerp (RUCA), Antwerp, Belgium and Robert Marquet Antwerp, Belgium. Geys, J., & R. Marquet. On the presence of Gracilechinus (Echinoidea, in the of — Echinidae) Late Miocene the Antwerp area (Belgium). Meded. Werkgr. Tert. Kwart. Geol., 26(1): 00-00, 1 fig., 1 tab., 1 pi. Leiden, March 1989. Some well-preserved specimens of the regular echinoid Gracilechinus gracilis nysti (Cotteau, 1880) were collected in a temporary outcrop at Borgerhout-Antwerp, in sandstones reworked from the Deurne Sands (Late Miocene). The systematic status of this subspecies is discussed. The present state of knowledge of the Echinidae from the Neogene of the North Sea Basin is reviewed. Prof. Dr J. Geys, Dept. of Geology, University of Antwerp (RUCA), Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium. Dr R. Marquet, Constitutiestraat 50, B-2008 Antwerp, Belgium, Contents — 3 Introduction, p. 4 Systematic palaeontology, p. 6 Discussion, p. Echinidae in the Neogene of the North Sea Basin—some considerations on 8 systematics, p. 10. References, p. INTRODUCTION extensive excavations the of E17-E18 indicated E3 Because of along western verge motorway (also as ‘Kleine and Ring’) at Borgerhout-Antwerp (Belgium), a remarkable outcrop of Neogene Quaternary beds accessible from The was March to November 1987. outcrop was situated between this motorway and the and extended from the the both ‘Singel’-road, ‘Stenenbrug’ to ‘Zurenborgbrug’, on sides 4 of the exit.
    [Show full text]
  • Settlement Patterns in Ascidians Concerning Have Been Patchily
    Larval settlement behaviour in six gregarious ascidians in relation to adult 2 distribution 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Marc Rius1,2,*, George M. Branch2, Charles L. Griffiths1,2, Xavier Turon3 18 19 20 1 Centre for Invasion Biology, Zoology Department, University of Cape Town, 21 Rondebosch 7701, South Africa 22 23 2 Marine Biology Research Centre, Zoology Department, University of Cape Town, 24 Rondebosch 7701, South Africa 25 26 3 Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB, CSIC), Accés Cala St. Francesc 14, 27 17300 Blanes (Girona), Spain 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 * Corresponding author: Marc Rius 35 Centre for Invasion Biology, Zoology Department, University of Cape Town, 36 Rondebosch 7701, South Africa 37 E-mail: [email protected] 38 Telephone: +27 21 650 4939 39 Fax: +27 21 650 3301 40 41 Running head: Settlement patterns of gregarious ascidians 42 43 44 1 45 ABSTRACT 46 Settlement influences the distribution and abundance of many marine organisms, 47 although the relative roles of abiotic and biotic factors influencing settlement are poorly 48 understood. Species that aggregate often owe this to larval behaviour, and we ask 49 whether this predisposes ascidians to becoming invasive, by increasing their capacity to 50 maintain their populations. We explored the interactive effects of larval phototaxis and 51 geotaxis and conspecific adult extracts on settlement rates of a representative suite of 52 six species of ascidians that form aggregations in the field, including four aliens with 53 global distributions, and how they relate to adult habitat characteristics.
    [Show full text]
  • DEEP SEA LEBANON RESULTS of the 2016 EXPEDITION EXPLORING SUBMARINE CANYONS Towards Deep-Sea Conservation in Lebanon Project
    DEEP SEA LEBANON RESULTS OF THE 2016 EXPEDITION EXPLORING SUBMARINE CANYONS Towards Deep-Sea Conservation in Lebanon Project March 2018 DEEP SEA LEBANON RESULTS OF THE 2016 EXPEDITION EXPLORING SUBMARINE CANYONS Towards Deep-Sea Conservation in Lebanon Project Citation: Aguilar, R., García, S., Perry, A.L., Alvarez, H., Blanco, J., Bitar, G. 2018. 2016 Deep-sea Lebanon Expedition: Exploring Submarine Canyons. Oceana, Madrid. 94 p. DOI: 10.31230/osf.io/34cb9 Based on an official request from Lebanon’s Ministry of Environment back in 2013, Oceana has planned and carried out an expedition to survey Lebanese deep-sea canyons and escarpments. Cover: Cerianthus membranaceus © OCEANA All photos are © OCEANA Index 06 Introduction 11 Methods 16 Results 44 Areas 12 Rov surveys 16 Habitat types 44 Tarablus/Batroun 14 Infaunal surveys 16 Coralligenous habitat 44 Jounieh 14 Oceanographic and rhodolith/maërl 45 St. George beds measurements 46 Beirut 19 Sandy bottoms 15 Data analyses 46 Sayniq 15 Collaborations 20 Sandy-muddy bottoms 20 Rocky bottoms 22 Canyon heads 22 Bathyal muds 24 Species 27 Fishes 29 Crustaceans 30 Echinoderms 31 Cnidarians 36 Sponges 38 Molluscs 40 Bryozoans 40 Brachiopods 42 Tunicates 42 Annelids 42 Foraminifera 42 Algae | Deep sea Lebanon OCEANA 47 Human 50 Discussion and 68 Annex 1 85 Annex 2 impacts conclusions 68 Table A1. List of 85 Methodology for 47 Marine litter 51 Main expedition species identified assesing relative 49 Fisheries findings 84 Table A2. List conservation interest of 49 Other observations 52 Key community of threatened types and their species identified survey areas ecological importanc 84 Figure A1.
    [Show full text]
  • Ascidiacea (Chordata: Tunicata) of Greece: an Updated Checklist
    Biodiversity Data Journal 4: e9273 doi: 10.3897/BDJ.4.e9273 Taxonomic Paper Ascidiacea (Chordata: Tunicata) of Greece: an updated checklist Chryssanthi Antoniadou‡, Vasilis Gerovasileiou§§, Nicolas Bailly ‡ Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece § Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece Corresponding author: Chryssanthi Antoniadou ([email protected]) Academic editor: Christos Arvanitidis Received: 18 May 2016 | Accepted: 17 Jul 2016 | Published: 01 Nov 2016 Citation: Antoniadou C, Gerovasileiou V, Bailly N (2016) Ascidiacea (Chordata: Tunicata) of Greece: an updated checklist. Biodiversity Data Journal 4: e9273. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.4.e9273 Abstract Background The checklist of the ascidian fauna (Tunicata: Ascidiacea) of Greece was compiled within the framework of the Greek Taxon Information System (GTIS), an application of the LifeWatchGreece Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) aiming to produce a complete checklist of species recorded from Greece. This checklist was constructed by updating an existing one with the inclusion of recently published records. All the reported species from Greek waters were taxonomically revised and cross-checked with the Ascidiacea World Database. New information The updated checklist of the class Ascidiacea of Greece comprises 75 species, classified in 33 genera, 12 families, and 3 orders. In total, 8 species have been added to the previous species list (4 Aplousobranchia, 2 Phlebobranchia, and 2 Stolidobranchia). Aplousobranchia was the most speciose order, followed by Stolidobranchia. Most species belonged to the families Didemnidae, Polyclinidae, Pyuridae, Ascidiidae, and Styelidae; these 4 families comprise 76% of the Greek ascidian species richness. The present effort revealed the limited taxonomic research effort devoted to the ascidian fauna of Greece, © Antoniadou C et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Marlin Marine Information Network Information on the Species and Habitats Around the Coasts and Sea of the British Isles
    MarLIN Marine Information Network Information on the species and habitats around the coasts and sea of the British Isles Ophiothrix fragilis and/or Ophiocomina nigra brittlestar beds on sublittoral mixed sediment MarLIN – Marine Life Information Network Marine Evidence–based Sensitivity Assessment (MarESA) Review Eliane De-Bastos & Jacqueline Hill 2016-01-28 A report from: The Marine Life Information Network, Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Please note. This MarESA report is a dated version of the online review. Please refer to the website for the most up-to-date version [https://www.marlin.ac.uk/habitats/detail/1068]. All terms and the MarESA methodology are outlined on the website (https://www.marlin.ac.uk) This review can be cited as: De-Bastos, E.S.R. & Hill, J., 2016. [Ophiothrix fragilis] and/or [Ophiocomina nigra] brittlestar beds on sublittoral mixed sediment. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. (eds) Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.17031/marlinhab.1068.1 The information (TEXT ONLY) provided by the Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales License. Note that images and other media featured on this page are each governed by their own terms and conditions and they may or may not be available for reuse. Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available here.
    [Show full text]
  • SNH Commissioned Report
    Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 574 Biological analyses of underwater video from research cruises in Lochs Kishorn and Sunart, off the Mull of Kintyre and islands of Rum, Tiree and Islay, and in the Firth of Lorn and Sound of Mull approaches COMMISSIONED REPORT Commissioned Report No. 574 Biological analyses of underwater video from research cruises in Lochs Kishorn and Sunart, off the Mull of Kintyre and islands of Rum, Tiree and Islay, and in the Firth of Lorn and Sound of Mull approaches For further information on this report please contact: Laura Steel Scottish Natural Heritage Great Glen House INVERNESS IV3 8NW Telephone: 01463 725236 E-mail: [email protected] This report should be quoted as: Moore, C. G. 2013. Biological analyses of underwater video from research cruises in Lochs Kishorn and Sunart, off the Mull of Kintyre and islands of Rum, Tiree and Islay, and in the Firth of Lorn and Sound of Mull approaches. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 574. This report, or any part of it, should not be reproduced without the permission of Scottish Natural Heritage. This permission will not be withheld unreasonably. The views expressed by the author(s) of this report should not be taken as the views and policies of Scottish Natural Heritage. © Scottish Natural Heritage 2013. COMMISSIONED REPORT Summary Biological analyses of underwater video from research cruises in Lochs Kishorn and Sunart, off the Mull of Kintyre and islands of Rum, Tiree and Islay, and in the Firth of Lorn and Sound of Mull approaches Commissioned Report No.: 574 Project no: 13879 Contractor: Dr Colin Moore Year of publication: 2013 Background To help target marine nature conservation in Scotland, SNH and JNCC have generated a focused list of habitats and species of importance in Scottish waters - the Priority Marine Features (PMFs).
    [Show full text]
  • Kilkieran Bay and Islands SAC (Site Code: 2111)
    NPWS Kilkieran Bay and Islands SAC (site code: 2111) Conservation objectives supporting document - marine habitats and species Version 1 January 2014 Introduction Kilkieran Bay and Islands SAC is designated for the Annex I qualifying interests of Large shallow inlets and bays, Mudflats and sandflats not covered by seawater at low tide and Reefs (Figures 1, 2 and 3) and the Annex II species Phoca vitulina (harbour seal, also known as the common seal). The Annex I habitat Large shallow inlets and bays is a large physiographic feature that may wholly or partly incorporate other Annex I habitats including mudflats and sandflats and reefs within its area. Intertidal and subtidal surveys of Kilkieran Bay and Islands SAC were undertaken in 2001 and 2002 (SSI, 2003) and 2010 (APEM, 2011; Aquafact, 2011a; Aquafact, 2011b). In 2005, a dive survey was carried out to map the sensitive communities at this site (MERC, 2005). All of these data, together with data from the BioMar survey carried out in 1997 (Picton & Costello, 1997) and a Marine Institute oyster survey in winter 2010-2011 (Tully & Clarke, 2012), were used to investigate the physical and biological structure of this site. In addition to the records compiled from historical Wildlife Service site visits and regional surveys (Summers et al., 1980; Warner, 1983; Harrington, 1990; Doyle, 2002; Lyons, 2004), a comprehensive survey of the Irish harbour seal population was carried out in 2003 (Cronin et al, 2004). A repeat survey was conducted in the west of Ireland in 2011 and the associated distribution data have been included in this document.
    [Show full text]
  • Marlin Marine Information Network Information on the Species and Habitats Around the Coasts and Sea of the British Isles
    MarLIN Marine Information Network Information on the species and habitats around the coasts and sea of the British Isles Edible sea urchin (Echinus esculentus) MarLIN – Marine Life Information Network Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Review Dr Harvey Tyler-Walters 2008-04-29 A report from: The Marine Life Information Network, Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Please note. This MarESA report is a dated version of the online review. Please refer to the website for the most up-to-date version [https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1311]. All terms and the MarESA methodology are outlined on the website (https://www.marlin.ac.uk) This review can be cited as: Tyler-Walters, H., 2008. Echinus esculentus Edible sea urchin. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. (eds) Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.17031/marlinsp.1311.1 The information (TEXT ONLY) provided by the Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales License. Note that images and other media featured on this page are each governed by their own terms and conditions and they may or may not be available for reuse. Permissions beyond the scope of this license are available here. Based on a work at www.marlin.ac.uk (page left blank) Date: 2008-04-29 Edible sea urchin (Echinus esculentus) - Marine Life Information Network See online review for distribution map Echinus esculentus and hermit crabs on grazed rock.
    [Show full text]