Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report

Contract Reference: MB0120 Report Number: 44 Version 4 February 2017

Project Title: Marine Protected Areas Data and Evidence Coordination Report No 44. Title: Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report Defra Project Code: MB0120 Defra Contract Manager: Carole Kelly

Funded by:

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Marine Science and Evidence Unit Marine Directorate Nobel House 17 Smith Square London SW1P 3JR

Authorship

Matthew Curtis Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) [email protected]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Keith Weston and Christopher Barrio Frojan (Cefas) for reviewing earlier drafts of this report.

Disclaimer: The content of this report does not necessarily reflect the views of Defra, nor is Defra liable for the accuracy of information provided, or responsible for any use of the reports content. Although the data provided in this report have been quality assured, the final products - e.g. habitat maps – may be subject to revision following any further data provision or once they have been used in SNCB advice or assessments. Cefas Document Control

Title: Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report

Submitted to: Marine Protected Areas Survey Co-ordination & Evidence Delivery Group Date submitted: February 2017 Project Manager: David Limpenny Report compiled by: Matthew Curtis Quality control by: Christopher Barrio, Keith Weston Approved by & date: Keith Weston (02/02/2017) Version: V4

Version Control History Author Date Comment Version Matthew Curtis 24/07/2015 First draft 1 Matthew Curtis 01/10/2015 Update after external reviewers’ comments 2 Matthew Curtis 08/12/2015 Update after external reviewers’ comments 3 Matthew Curtis 19/12/2016 Update after external reviewers’ comments 4

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ...... i List of Tables ...... iii List of Figures ...... iv 1 Executive Summary: Report Card ...... 1 1.1 Features proposed in the SAD for inclusion within the rMCZ designation ..... 1 1.2 Features observed but not proposed in the SAD for inclusion within the rMCZ designation ...... 2 1.3 Evidence of human activities occurring within the rMCZ ...... 2 2 Introduction ...... 3 2.1 Location of the rMCZ ...... 3 2.2 Rationale for site position and designation ...... 4 2.3 Rationale for prioritising this rMCZ for additional evidence collection ...... 5 2.4 Survey aims and objectives ...... 5 3 Methods ...... 7 3.1 Acoustic data acquisition ...... 7 3.2 Ground truth sample acquisition ...... 7 4 Results ...... 9 4.1 Site Assessment Document habitat map ...... 9 4.2 Broadscale habitats identified ...... 9 4.3 Correspondence of the newly acquired survey data with the SAD habitat map ...... 11 4.4 Habitat FOCI identified ...... 12 4.5 Species FOCI identified ...... 13 4.6 Observations of human impacts on the seabed ...... 14 4.7 Quality Assurance and Quality Control ...... 14 5 Conclusions ...... 16 5.1 Presence of broadscale habitats ...... 16 5.2 Presence of habitat FOCI ...... 16 5.3 Presence and distribution of species FOCI ...... 16 5.4 Evidence of human activities impacting the seabed ...... 16 References ...... 17 Data sources ...... 19 Annexes ...... 20 Annex 1. Broadscale habitat features listed in the ENG...... 20 Annex 2. Habitat FOCI listed in the ENG...... 21 Annex 3. Low or limited mobility species FOCI listed in the ENG...... 21

South of Portland rMCZ Post-survey Site Report i Annex 4. Highly mobile species FOCI listed in the ENG...... 23 Annex 5. Video and stills processing protocol...... 24 Appendices ...... 26 Appendix 1. Survey metadata (CEND0812) ...... 26 Appendix 2. Outputs from acoustic survey ...... 28 Appendix 3. Evidence of human activities within the rMCZ ...... 30 Appendix 4. Species list ...... 31 Appendix 5. Analyses of sediment samples: classification and composition ...... 37 Appendix 6. BSH/EUNIS Level 3 descriptions derived from video and stills ...... 39 Appendix 7. Example images from survey for broadscale habitats ...... 40 Appendix 8. Example images from survey for habitat FOCI ...... 42

South of Portland rMCZ Post-survey Site Report ii List of Tables

Table 1. Broadscale habitats for which this rMCZ was proposed for designation. .... 4 Table 2. Habitat FOCI for which this rMCZ was proposed for designation...... 5 Table 3. Species FOCI for which this rMCZ was proposed for designation...... 5 Table 4. Broadscale habitats identified in this rMCZ...... 11 Table 5. Broadscale habitats identified from PSA and their correspondence with the SAD habitat map...... 12 Table 6. Broadscale habitats identified from video and stills analysis and their correspondence with the SAD habitat map...... 12 Table 7. Habitat FOCI identified in this rMCZ...... 13 Table 8. Species FOCI identified in this rMCZ...... 14

South of Portland rMCZ Post-survey Site Report iii List of Figures

Figure 1. Location of the Holderness Offshore rMCZ. Bathymetry is from the Defra Digital Elevation Model (Astrium, 2011)...... 4 Figure 2. Location of ground truth sampling sites in the Holderness Offshore rMCZ. Bathymetry displayed is from Defra’s Digital Elevation Model (Astrium, 2011). . 7 Figure 3. Habitat map from the Site Assessment Document for Holderness Offshore rMCZ...... 9 Figure 4. Broadscale habitats identified from PSA overlaid on the SAD habitat map...... 10 Figure 5. Broadscale habitats identified from video and stills analysis overlaid on the SAD habitat map...... 11 Figure 6. Habitat FOCI identified overlaid on the SAD habitat map...... 13 Figure 7. Location of point records of species FOCI overlaid on SAD habitat map. 14

Corrigendum

In July 2015 Defra declared the following amendments to reporting of Features of Conservation Importance (FOCI) in MPAG reports to reflect changes described within Defra MCZ consultation and designation material:

• The habitat FOCI ‘Subtidal Sands and Gravels’ is considered to be adequately protected by its component broadscale habitat features, subtidal sand and/or subtidal coarse sediment, and is no longer included within MCZ designations. • The species FOCI ‘Stalked jellyfish (Haliclystus auricula)’ is now referred to as ‘Haliclystus species’ for the purpose of MCZ protection, to account for potential presence of Haliclystus octoradiatus that has not been consistently differentiated within scientific records. The species are therefore considered jointly as an MCZ feature. • The species FOCI ‘Fan mussel (Atrina pectinata)’ should be correctly referred to as ‘Fan mussel (Atrina fragilis)’. • MCZs are no longer considered to be an appropriate tool for the protection of the species FOCI ‘European eel (Anguilla anguilla)’. They have been identified as habitat generalists for which it is particularly difficult to identify unique nursery or foraging grounds due to their wide distribution across coastal and freshwater zones. Conservation and management of European eels is considered to be more effectively achieved through the Eel Regulations and Eel Management Plans. • The species FOCI ‘Sea snail (Paludinella littorina)’ has been removed from Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. This means that it is no longer a FOCI so has been removed as a feature for MCZ designation.

In August 2015 Defra declared the following amendments to reporting of Features of Conservation Importance (FOCI) in MPAG reports to reflect changes described within Defra MCZ consultation and designation material:

• The habitat FOCI ‘Mud Habitats in Deep Water’ is considered to be adequately protected by its component broadscale habitat features, subtidal mud, and is no longer included within MCZ designations.

Whilst the agreed changes will be reflected in MCZ Post-survey Site Reports written after the declaration, those reports produced prior to August 2015 may still contain references to the above FOCI as they appeared in the original Ecological Network Guidance document (NE & JNCC, 2010).

South of Portland rMCZ Post-survey Site Report iv 1 Executive Summary: Report Card This report details the findings of a dedicated seabed survey at the Holderness Offshore recommended Marine Conservation Zone (rMCZ). The site is being considered for inclusion in a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in UK waters, designed to meet conservation objectives under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Prior to the dedicated survey, the site assessment had been made on the basis of best available evidence, drawn largely from historical data, modelled habitat maps and stakeholder knowledge of the area. The purpose of the survey was to provide direct evidence of the presence of the broadscale habitats (BSH) that had been detailed in the original Site Assessment Document (SAD) (Net Gain, 2011). A systematic dedicated acoustic survey was not undertaken at this site, consequently an updated habitat map has not been produced for this site. This Executive Summary is presented in the form of a Report Card comparing the characteristics predicted in the original SAD with the new sample data that result from a vessel-based survey of the site conducted by Cefas in May 2012. The comparison covers broadscale habitats only; no habitat or species features of conservation importance (FOCI) were proposed.

1.1 Features proposed in the SAD for inclusion within the rMCZ designation Presence according Accordance between Presence according to newly acquired SAD and newly Feature to SAD survey data acquired data Broadscale Habitats A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment 536.45 km2 24 Point Records  A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments 610.36 km2 25 Point Records  Habitat FOCI None proposed N/A N/A N/A Species FOCI None proposed N/A N/A N/A

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 1 1.2 Features observed but not proposed in the SAD for inclusion within the rMCZ designation Presence Presence according Accordance between according to to newly acquired SAD and newly Feature SAD survey data acquired data Broadscale Habitats A4.1 High energy circalittoral rock N/A 3 Point Records*  A4.2 Moderate energy circalittoral rock N/A 5 Point Records**  A5.2 Subtidal sand Not given 3 Point Records  A5.3 Subtidal mud N/A 1 Point Record  Habitat FOCI Subtidal Sands and Gravels Not given 32 Point Records  Ross Worm (Sabellaria spinulosa) Reefs Not given Not observed N/A Species FOCI Ocean Quahog (Arctica islandica) N/A 1 Point Record  * Identified from still images only. ** Two point records from still images only.

1.3 Evidence of human activities occurring within the rMCZ There is limited evidence from the underwater video and still images of litter/fishing gear present on the seabed within the boundaries of the rMCZ.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 2 2 Introduction In accordance with the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, the UK is committed to the development and implementation of a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The network will incorporate existing designated sites (e.g., Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas) along with a number of newly designated sites which, within the English territorial waters and offshore waters of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, will be termed Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). In support of this initiative, four Regional MCZ Projects were set up to select sites that could contribute to this network because they contain one or more features specified in the Ecological Network Guidance (ENG; Natural England and the JNCC, 2010). The Regional MCZ Projects proposed a total of 127 recommended MCZs (rMCZs) and compiled a Site Assessment Document (SAD) for each site, summarising what evidence was available for the presence and extent of the various habitat, species and geological features specified in the ENG and for which the site was being recommended. Due to the scarcity of survey-derived seabed habitat maps in UK waters, these assessments were necessarily made using best available evidence, which included historical data, modelled habitat maps and stakeholder knowledge of the areas concerned. It became apparent that the best available evidence regarding features for which some sites had been recommended as MCZs was of variable quality. Consequently, Defra initiated a number of measures aimed at improving the evidence base, one of which took the form of a dedicated survey programme, implemented and coordinated by Cefas, to collect and interpret new survey data at selected rMCZ sites. This report provides an interpretation of the survey data collected by Cefas at the Holderness Offshore rMCZ site during May 2012.

2.1 Location of the rMCZ The Holderness Offshore rMCZ is located approximately 11 km off the Holderness Coast on the East Yorkshire coast of England (Figure 1).

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 3

Figure 1. Location of the Holderness Offshore rMCZ. Bathymetry is from the Defra Digital Elevation Model (Astrium, 2011).

2.2 Rationale for site position and designation The Holderness Offshore rMCZ was included in the proposed network because of its contribution to Ecological Network Guidance (ENG) criteria to broadscale habitats (BSHs), and its added ecological importance. For a detailed site description see Final Report and Recommendations for Marine Conservation Zones 2011 (Net Gain, 2011) and The Marine Conservation Zone Project: Ecological Network Guidance (Natural England and the JNCC, 2010).

2.2.1 Broadscale habitats proposed for designation Two broadscale habitats were included in the recommendations for designation at this site (Table 1). See Annex 1 for the full list of broadscale habitat features listed in the ENG.

Table 1. Broadscale habitats for which this rMCZ was proposed for designation. Broadscale Habitat (& EUNIS code) Spatial extent according to the SAD A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment 536.45 km2 A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments 610.36 km2

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 4 2.2.2 Habitat FOCI proposed for designation No habitat FOCI were included in the recommendations for designation at this site (Table 2). Annex 2 presents the habitat FOCI listed in the ENG.

Table 2. Habitat FOCI for which this rMCZ was proposed for designation. Habitat FOCI Spatial extent according to SAD None proposed N/A

2.2.3 Species FOCI proposed for designation No ‘Low or limited mobility species’ or ‘Highly mobile species’ FOCI were included in the recommendations for designation of this rMCZ (Table 3). The full list of species FOCI is presented in Annexes 3 and 4.

Table 3. Species FOCI for which this rMCZ was proposed for designation. Species FOCI Records Low or limited mobility species FOCI None proposed N/A Highly mobile species FOCI None proposed N/A

2.3 Rationale for prioritising this rMCZ for additional evidence collection Prioritisation of rMCZ sites for further evidence collection was informed by a gap analysis and evidence assessment. The prime objective was to elevate the confidence status for as many rMCZs as feasible, to support the designation in terms of the amount and quality of evidence for the presence and extent of BSH features and habitat FOCI and, where possible, species FOCI. The confidence status was originally assessed in the SADs according Technical Protocol E (Natural England and the JNCC, 2012). The confidence score for the presence and extent of BSHs and habitat FOCI reported for the Holderness Offshore rMCZ was considered Low/Moderate (Net Gain, 2011; JNCC and Natural England, 2012). This site was therefore prioritised for additional evidence collection.

2.4 Survey aims and objectives Primary Objectives

 To collect dedicated survey data which could be used to improve the evidence for the presence and distribution of broadscale habitats and habitat FOCI within the rMCZ. The newly acquired survey data will be used to validate the predicted distribution of BSH and habitat FOCI as described and illustrated in the relevant SAD.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 5 Secondary Objectives

 To provide evidence, where possible, of the presence of species FOCI listed within the ENG within the rMCZ.

 To report evidence of human activity occurring within the rMCZ during the course of the survey. It should be emphasised that surveys were not primarily designed to address the secondary objectives under the current programme of work. Whilst the newly collected data will be utilised for the purposes of reporting against the primary objectives of the current programme of work (given above), it is recognised that these data will be valuable for informing the assessment and monitoring of condition of given habitat features in the future.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 6 3 Methods

3.1 Acoustic data acquisition Acoustic data were acquired opportunistically on the transits between ground truth stations during the survey of the Holderness Offshore rMCZ, conducted in 2012, thus providing only a very limited coverage of the site (Appendix 2). This limited acoustic data was not deemed adequate for the production of an updated habitat map and therefore updated extent values for both BSHs and habitat FOCI identified on the survey could not be calculated. For further detail on the acoustic data acquired during the survey see the 2012 Holderness Offshore rMCZ survey report (Ware, 2013).

3.2 Ground truth sample acquisition Owing to existing biological data being available for the southern portion of the site, collected during the Humber Regional Environmental Characterisation (Tappin et al., 2011), ground truth samples were only collected from the northern portion of the rMCZ. Ground truth samples were collected from 43 stations which were positioned using a triangular lattice grid overlaid on the Site Assessment Document (SAD) habitat map. Benthic grabs were used at 40 of these stations to collect sediments and infauna. An underwater camera system was deployed at 25 of the stations to collect video and still images of the seabed (Figure 2; Appendix 1).

Figure 2. Location of ground truth sampling sites in the Holderness Offshore rMCZ. Bathymetry displayed is from Defra’s Digital Elevation Model (Astrium, 2011).

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 7 Sampling equipment comprised a 0.1 m2 mini Hamon grab fitted with a video camera, the combined gear being known as a HamCam. This allowed an image of the undisturbed seabed surface to be obtained immediately before each grab sample was taken. On recovery, the grab contents were emptied into a large plastic bin and a representative sub-sample of sediment (approx. 0.5 litres) taken for Particle Size Analysis (PSA). The remaining sample was photographed and sieved over a 1 mm mesh sieve to collect the benthic fauna. Fauna were preserved in buffered 4% formaldehyde for later processing ashore. A drop down camera frame was used to collect video and still images at a subset of stations. Set-up and operation followed the MESH Recommended Operating Guidelines (ROG) for underwater video and photographic imaging techniques (Coggan et al., 2007). Drop camera tows lasted a minimum of 10 minutes, with the drop camera being towed at c. 0.5 knots (c. 0.25 m s-1) across a 100 m ‘bullring’ centred on the sampling station. Still images were captured at regular one minute intervals and opportunistically if specific features of interest were encountered. Video and still images were analysed following an established protocol developed and used by Cefas (Coggan and Howell, 2005, JNCC, in prep.; see Annex 5). For further detail on ground truth sample collection see the Holderness Offshore rMCZ Survey Report (Ware, 2013).

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 8 4 Results A summary of the PSA results is given in Appendix 5. Of the 40 stations where a sample was obtained, subtidal coarse sediment was recorded at 12 stations, subtidal sand at two stations, subtidal mud at one station and subtidal mixed sediments at 25 stations. Results from the analysis of the seabed video and stills are summarised in Appendix 6. Example images of the BSHs and habitat FOCI recorded in the video analysis are given in Appendices 6 and 7, respectively. The list of benthic taxa found in the grab and video samples is presented in Appendix 4; a total of 187 infaunal and 66 epifaunal taxa were recorded.

4.1 Site Assessment Document habitat map The SAD habitat map (Figure 3) was produced using modelled data from the UKSeaMap (McBreen et al., 2011) , together with data collected by The Humber Regional Environmental Characterisation (Tappin et al., 2011). For further detail see Final Report and Recommendations for Marine Conservation Zones 2011 (Net Gain, 2011).

Figure 3. Habitat map from the Site Assessment Document for Holderness Offshore rMCZ.

4.2 Broadscale habitats identified Six subtidal broadscale habitats were identified from the 2012 dedicated survey of this rMCZ: ‘A.4.1 High energy circalittoral rock’, ‘A4.2 Moderate energy circalittoral rock’, ‘A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment’, ‘A5.2 Subtidal sand’, ‘A5.3 Subtidal mud’, and

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 9 ‘A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments’ (Figure 4; Figure 5). The number of point records of each BSH identified is presented in Table 4. The point records of the BSH ‘A4.1 High energy circalittoral rock’ and two of the point records of the BSH ‘A4.2 Moderate energy circalittoral rock’ were derived from stills data only. These point records are not used in Section 4.3.

Figure 4. Broadscale habitats identified from PSA overlaid on the SAD habitat map.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 10

Figure 5. Broadscale habitats identified from video and stills analysis overlaid on the SAD habitat map.

Table 4. Broadscale habitats identified in this rMCZ. Broadscale Habitat Type Presence according Presence according to the (EUNIS Level 3) to the SAD newly acquired data A4.1 High energy circalittoral rock N/A 3 Point Records* A4.2 Moderate energy circalittoral rock N/A 5 Point Records** A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment 536.45 km2 24 Point Records A5.2 Subtidal sand N/A 3 Point Records A5.3 Subtidal mud N/A 1 Point Record A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments 610.36 km2 25 Point Records * Identified from still images only. ** Two point records from still images only.

4.3 Correspondence of the newly acquired survey data with the SAD habitat map The SAD habitat map predicted three BSHs within the MCZ (Figure 3), from which 46 ground truth samples were collected within the predicted ‘A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment’ BSH, 10 within the predicted ‘A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments’ and 9 within the ‘A5.2 Subtidal sand’ BSH (Table 5; Table 6). Of all the ground truth samples collected within the predicted ‘A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment’ BSH (grab and video together), 19 samples (41%) were recorded as ‘A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment’, the remaining samples were recorded as ‘A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments’ (22 records, 48%), ‘A4.2 Moderate energy circalittoral rock’ (3 records, 7%), ‘A5.2 Subtidal sand’ (1 record; 2%), or ‘A5.3 Subtidal mud’ (1 record,

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 11 2%). Within the predicted ‘A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments’ BSH, 5 samples (50%) were recorded as ‘A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments’, with the remaining samples recorded as ‘A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment’ (4 records, 40%), and ‘A5.2 Subtidal sand’ (1 records, 10%). Within the predicted ‘A5.2 Subtidal sand’ BSH, no samples were recorded as ‘A5.2 Subtidal sand’, with the rest recorded as ‘A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment’ (6 records, 67%) and ‘A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments’ (3 records, 33%).

Table 5. Broadscale habitats identified from PSA and their correspondence with the SAD habitat map. BSH on SAD map BSH identified from PSA samples A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment 19 x A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment 1 x A5.2 Subtidal sand 1 x A5.3 Subtidal mud 18 x A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments

A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments 1 x A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment 1 x A5.2 Subtidal sand 4 x A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments

A5.2 Subtidal sand 2 x A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment 3 x A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments

Table 6. Broadscale habitats identified from video and stills analysis and their correspondence with the SAD habitat map. BSH from SAD map BSH identified from analysis of video samples A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment 10 x A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment 1 x A5.2 Subtidal sand 4 x A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments

A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments 3 x A4.2 Moderate energy circalittoral rock 1 x A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment 4 x A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments

A5.2 Subtidal sand 4 x A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment

4.4 Habitat FOCI identified One habitat FOCI, ‘Subtidal Sands and Gravels’, was identified from the 2012 dedicated survey of this MCZ (Figure 6). The number of point records of the habitat FOCI identified is presented in Table 7.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 12

Figure 6. Habitat FOCI identified overlaid on the SAD habitat map.

Table 7. Habitat FOCI identified in this rMCZ. Presence according to the Presence according to the Habitat FOCI SAD newly acquired data Subtidal Sands and Gravels N/A 32 Point Records

4.5 Species FOCI identified One adult specimen of the species FOCI ‘Ocean Quahog (Arctica islandica)’ was recorded from a grab sample taken during the ground truth survey (Figure 7; Table 8). No other species FOCI were found. The list of all taxa identified from grab and video samples collected is presented in Appendix 4.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 13

Figure 7. Location of point records of species FOCI overlaid on SAD habitat map.

Table 8. Species FOCI identified in this rMCZ. Previously recorded Identified from newly Species FOCI within rMCZ acquired survey data Low or Limited Mobility Species Ocean Quahog (Arctica islandica) N/A 1 Point Record Highly Mobile Species None recorded N/A N/A

4.6 Observations of human impacts on the seabed A discarded/lost lobster pot at one station was observed on the video and stills analysis; a snapshot of the gear and a map showing its location are shown in Appendix 3.

4.7 Quality Assurance and Quality Control

4.7.1 PSA of sediments PSA was carried out by Kenneth Pye Associated Ltd following standard laboratory practice and the results checked by specialist Cefas staff following the recommendations of the National Marine Biological Analytical Quality Control (NMBAQC) scheme (Mason, 2011).

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 14 4.7.2 Infaunal samples from grabs Infaunal samples were processed by Seastar Survey Ltd following standard laboratory practices and results checked following the recommendations of the NMBAQC scheme (Worsfold et al., 2010).

4.7.3 Video and still images and analysis Video and photographic stills were processed by Seastar Survey Ltd in accordance with the guidance documents developed by Cefas and the JNCC for the acquisition and processing of video and stills data (Coggan and Howell, 2005; JNCC, in prep.; summarised in Annex 5).

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 15 5 Conclusions

5.1 Presence of broadscale habitats  The 2012 dedicated survey has confirmed the presence of the BSHs ‘A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment’ and ‘A5.4 Subtidal mixed sediments’ that were included in the recommendations made by the SAD for designating this site as an MCZ.

 The 2012 dedicated survey has confirmed the presence of the BSHs ‘A4.1 High energy circalittoral rock’, ‘A4.2 Moderate energy circalittoral rock’, ‘A5.2 Subtidal sand’ and ‘A5.3 Subtidal mud’. These BSHs were not included in the recommendations made by the SAD for designating this site as an MCZ.

5.2 Presence of habitat FOCI  The 2012 dedicated survey has confirmed the presence of the habitat FOCI ‘Subtidal Sands and Gravels’ within the MCZ. This habitat FOCI was not included in the recommendations made by the SAD for designating this site as an MCZ.

5.3 Presence and distribution of species FOCI

5.3.1 Low or limited mobility species  The species FOCI ‘Ocean Quahog (Arctica islandica)’ was recorded at one station close to the northern boundary of the MCZ. This species FOCI was not included in the recommendations made by the SAD for designating this site as an MCZ.

5.3.2 Highly mobile species  No highly mobile species FOCI were recorded at this site by the 2012 dedicated survey. These observations are consistent with the evidence presented in the SAD.

5.4 Evidence of human activities impacting the seabed The only evidence of human activity was observed in the video and stills analysis; this was a lobster pot on the seabed.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 16 References

Astrium (2011). Creation of a high resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the British Isles continental shelf: Final Report. Prepared for Defra, Contract Reference: 13820. 26 pp. Coggan, R., Mitchell, A., White, J. and Golding, N. (2007). Recommended operating guidelines (ROG) for underwater video and photographic imaging techniques (www.searchmesh.net/PDF/GMHM3_video_ROG.pdf) [Accessed 12/06/2015]. Coggan, R. and Howell, K. (2005). Draft SOP for the collection and analysis of video and still images for groundtruthing an acoustic basemap. Video survey SOP version 5. 10 pp. JNCC (in prep.). Video/Stills Camera Standard Operating Procedure for Survey and Analysis: for groundtruthing and classifying an acoustic basemap, and development of new biotopes within the UK Marine Habitat Classification. JNCC Video and Stills Processing SOP v2. 6 pp. JNCC and Natural England (2012). Marine Conservation Zone Project: JNCC and Natural England's advice to Defra on recommended Marine Conservation. Mason, C. (2011). NMBAQC’s Best Practice Guidance Particle Size Analysis (PSA) for Supporting Biological Analysis. McBreen, F., Askew, N., Cameron, A., Connor, D., Ellwood, H. and Carter, A. (2011). UKSeaMap 2010: Predictive mapping of seabed habitats in UK waters. JNCC Report, No. 446. Available online from http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/ukseamap [Accessed 12/06/2015]. Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (2010). The Marine Conservation Zone Project: Ecological Network Guidance. Sheffield and Peterborough, UK. Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (2012). SNCB MCZ Advice Project-Assessing the scientific confidence in the presence and extent of features in recommended Marine Conservation Zones (Technical Protocol E) Net Gain (2011). Final Recommendations Submission to Natural England and JNCC, Version 1.1. 880 pp. Tappin, D.R.; Pearce, B.; Fitch, S.; Dove, D.; Gearey, B.; Hill, J.M.; Chambers, C.; Bates, R.; Pinnion, J.; Diaz Doce, D.; Green, M.; Gallyot, J.; Georgiou, L.; Brutto, D.; Marzialetti, S.; Hopla, E.; Ramsay, E. and Fielding, H. (2011). The Humber Regional Environmental Characterisation. Marine Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund (OR/10/054). 345 pp. Ware, S. (2013). Holderness Offshore rMCZ Survey Report. 38 pp.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 17 Worsfold, T.M., Hall., D.J. and O’Reilly, M. (2010). Guidelines for processing marine macrobenthic invertebrate samples: a processing requirements protocol version 1 (June 2010). Unicomarine Report NMBAQCMbPRP to the NMBAQC Committee. 33 pp. http://www.nmbaqcs.org/media/1175/nmbaqc-inv-prp-v10- june2010.pdf [Accessed 12/06/2015].

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 18 Data sources

All enquiries in relation to this report should be addressed to following e-mail address: [email protected]

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 19 Annexes

Annex 1. Broadscale habitat features listed in the ENG. Broadscale Habitat Type EUNIS Level 3 Code High Energy Intertidal Rock A1.1 Moderate Energy Intertidal Rock A1.2 Low Energy Intertidal Rock A1.3 Intertidal Coarse Sediment A2.1 Intertidal Sand and Muddy Sand A2.2 Intertidal Mud A2.3 Intertidal Mixed Sediments A2.4 Coastal Saltmarshes and Saline Reed Beds A2.5 Intertidal Sediments Dominated by Aquatic Angiosperms A2.6 Intertidal Biogenic Reefs A2.7 High Energy Infralittoral Rock* A3.1 Moderate Energy Infralittoral Rock* A3.2 Low Energy Infralittoral Rock* A3.3 High Energy Circalittoral Rock** A4.1 Moderate Energy Circalittoral Rock** A4.2 Low Energy Circalittoral Rock** A4.3 Subtidal Coarse Sediment A5.1 Subtidal Sand A5.2 Subtidal Mud A5.3 Subtidal Mixed Sediment A5.4 Subtidal Macrophyte Dominated Sediment A5.5 Subtidal Biogenic Reefs A5.6 Deep Sea-bed*** A6 * Infralittoral rock includes habitats of bedrock, boulders and cobble which occur in the shallow subtidal zone and typically support seaweed communities ** Circalittoral rock is characterised by animal dominated communities, rather than seaweed dominated communities *** The deep sea-bed broadscale habitat encompasses several different habitat sub-types, all of which should be protected within the MPA network. The broadscale habitat deep seabed habitat is found only in the south-west of the MCZ project area and MCZs identified for this broadscale habitat should seek to protect the variety of sub-types known to occur in the region.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 20 Annex 2. Habitat FOCI listed in the ENG. Habitat Features of Conservation Importance (FOCI)* Blue Mussel Beds (including intertidal beds on mixed and sandy sediments)** Coldwater Coral Reefs *** Coral Gardens*** Deep-Sea Sponge Aggregations*** Estuarine Rocky Habitats File Shell Beds*** Fragile Sponge and Anthozoan Communities on Subtidal Rocky Habitats Intertidal Underboulder Communities Littoral Chalk Communities Maerl Beds Horse Mussel (Modiolus modiolus) Beds Mud Habitats in Deep Water***** Sea Pen and Burrowing Megafauna Communities Native Oyster (Ostrea edulis) Beds Peat and Clay Exposures Honeycomb Worm (Sabellaria alveolata) reefs Ross Worm (Sabellaria spinulosa) reefs Seagrass Beds Sheltered Muddy Gravels Subtidal Chalk Subtidal Sands and Gravels**** Tide-Swept Channels * Habitat FOCI have been identified from the ‘OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats’ and the ‘UK List of Priority Species and Habitats (UK BAP)’. ** Only includes ‘natural’ beds on a variety of sediment types. Excludes artificially created mussel beds and those which occur on rocks and boulders. *** Coldwater coral reefs, coral gardens, deep sea sponge aggregations and file shell beds currently do not have distributional data which demonstrate their presence within the MCZ project area. **** Subtidal Sands and Gravels are considered to be adequately protected by its component habitat features subtidal sand and/or subtidal coarse sediment, and is no longer included within MCZ designations. ***** ‘Mud Habitats in Deep Water’ is considered to be adequately protected by its component broadscale habitat feature ‘Subtidal mud’ and is no longer included within MCZ designation.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 21 Annex 3. Low or limited mobility species FOCI listed in the ENG. Group Scientific name* Common Name Brown Algae Padina pavonica Peacock’s Tail Red Algae Cruoria cruoriaeformis Burgundy Maerl Paint Weed Grateloupia montagnei Grateloup’s little-Lobed Weed Lithothamnion corallioides Coral Maerl Phymatolithon calcareum Common Maerl Annelida Alkmaria romijni** Tentacled Lagoon Worm** Armandia cirrhosa** Lagoon Sand Worm** Teleostei Gobius cobitis Giant Goby Gobius couchi Couch’s Goby Hippocampus guttulatus Long Snouted Seahorse Hippocampus hippocampus Short Snouted Seahorse Bryozoa Victorella pavida Trembling Sea Mat Cnidaria Amphianthus dohrnii Sea Fan Anemone Eunicella verrucosa Pink Sea Fan Haliclystus auricula**** Stalked Jellyfish**** Leptopsammia pruvoti Sunset Cup Coral Lucernariopsis campanulata Stalked Jellyfish Lucernariopsis cruxmelitensis Stalked Jellyfish Nematostella vectensis Starlet Sea Anemone Crustacea Gammarus insensibilis** Lagoon Sand Shrimp** Gitanopsis bispinosa Amphipod Pollicipes pollicipes Gooseneck Barnacle Palinurus elephas Spiny Lobster Mollusca Arctica islandica Ocean Quahog Atrina pectinata*** Fan Mussel*** Caecum armoricum** Defolin’s Lagoon Snail** Ostrea edulis Native Oyster Paludinella littorina***** Sea Snail***** Tenellia adspersa** Lagoon Sea Slug** * Species FOCI have been identified from the ‘OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats’, the ‘UK List of Priority Species and Habitats (UK BAP)’ and Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. ** Those lagoonal species FOCI may be afforded sufficient protection through coastal lagoons designated as SACs under the EC Habitats Directive. However, this needs to be assessed by individual regional projects. *** Fan mussel should be correctly described as Atrina fragilis. **** The stalked jellyfish Haliclystus auricula is now referred to as Haliclystus species for the purpose of MCZ protection to account for potential presence of Haliclystus octoradiatus that has not been consistently differentiated within scientific records. The species are therefore considered jointly as an MCZ feature. ***** The sea snail (Paludinella littorina) has been removed from Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. This means that it is no longer a Feature of Conservation Importance (FOCI) so has been removed as a feature for MCZ designation.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 22 Annex 4. Highly mobile species FOCI listed in the ENG. Group Scientific name* Common Name Teleostei Osmerus eperlanus Smelt Anguilla anguilla** European Eel** Elasmobranchii Raja undulata Undulate Ray * Species FOCI have been identified from the ‘OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats’, the ‘UK List of Priority Species and Habitats (UK BAP)’ and Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. ** MCZs are no longer considered to be an appropriate tool for the protection of European eels. They have been identified as habitat generalists for which it is particularly difficult to identify unique nursery or foraging grounds due to their wide distribution across coastal and freshwater zones. Conservation and management of European eels is considered to be more effectively achieved through the Eel Regulations and Eel Management Plans.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 23 Annex 5. Video and stills processing protocol. The purpose of the analysis of the video and still images is to identify what habitats exist in a video record, provide semi-quantitative data on their physical and biological characteristics and to note where one habitat changes to another. A minimum of 10% of the videos should be re-analysed for QA purposes. Video Analysis

 The video record is initially viewed rapidly (at approximately 4x normal speed) in order to segment it into sections representing different habitats. The start and end points of each segment are logged, and each segment subsequently subject to more detailed analysis. Brief changes in habitat type lasting less than one minute of the video record are considered as incidental patches and are not logged.

 For each segment, note the start and end time and position from the information on the video overlay. View the segment at normal or slower than normal speed, noting the physical and biological characteristics, such as substrate type, seabed character, species and life forms present. For each taxon record an actual abundance (where feasible) or a semi quantitative abundance (e.g. SACFOR scale).

 Record the analyses on the video pro-forma provided (paper and/or electronic), which is a modified version of the Sublittoral Habitat Recording Form used in the MNCR surveys.

 When each segment has been analysed, review the information recorded and assign the segment to one of the broadscale habitat (BSH) types or Habitat FOCI listed in the Ecological Network Guidance (as reproduced in Annexes 1 and 2 above). Note also any species FOCI observed (as per Annex 3 above). Stills analysis

 Still images should be analysed separately, to supplement and validate the video analysis, and provide more detailed (i.e. higher resolution) information than can be extracted from a moving video image.

 For each segment of video, select three still images that are representative of the BSH or FOCI to which the video segment has been assigned. For each image, note the time and position it was taken, using information from the associated video overlay.

 View the image at normal or greater than normal magnification, noting the physical and biological characteristics, such as substrate type, seabed character, species and life forms present. For each taxon record an actual abundance (where feasible) or a semi quantitative abundance (e.g. SACFOR scale).

 Record the analysis on the stills pro-forma provided (paper and/or electronic), which is a modified version of the Sublittoral Habitat Recording Form used in the MNCR surveys. Assign each still image to the same BSH or Habitat FOCI as its ‘parent’ segment in the video.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 24 Taxon identification In all analyses, the identification of taxa should be limited to a level that can be confidently achieved from the available image. Hence, taxon identity could range from the ‘life form’ level (e.g. sponge, hydroid, anemone) to the species level (e.g. Asterias rubens, Alcyonium digitatum). Avoid the temptation to guess the species identity if it cannot be determined positively from the image. For example, Spirobranchus sp. would be acceptable, but Spirobranchus triqueter would not, as the specific identification normally requires the specimen to be inspected under a microscope.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 25 Appendices

Appendix 1. Survey metadata (CEND0812) Key: DC – Drop Camera; HC - HamCam

Date Cruise Stn No. Stn Code Gear Latitude Longitude 23/05/2012 CEND0812 616 HO_C1 HC 54.01671 0.00349 23/05/2012 CEND0812 617 HO_C1 SOL DC 54.01639 0.00367 23/05/2012 CEND0812 617 HO_C1 EOL DC 54.01714 0.00297 23/05/2012 CEND0812 619 HO_MX5 HC 53.99602 0.039072 23/05/2012 CEND0812 620 HO_MX5 SOL HC 53.99582 0.03885 23/05/2012 CEND0812 620 HO_MX5 EOL HC 53.99670 0.03907 23/05/2012 CEND0812 624 HO_C2 HC 53.95513 0.01821 23/05/2012 CEND0812 625 HO_C2 SOL DC 53.95529 0.01825 23/05/2012 CEND0812 625 HO_C2 EOL DC 53.96038 0.07874 23/05/2012 CEND0812 628 HO_C4 SOL DC 53.96067 0.07869 23/05/2012 CEND0812 628 HO_C4 EOL DC 53.95991 0.07928 23/05/2012 CEND0812 630 HO_C9 HC 53.96519 0.1385173 23/05/2012 CEND0812 632 HO_C6 HC 53.9901 0.1575 23/05/2012 CEND0812 633 HO_C6 SOL DC 53.9902 0.1572 23/05/2012 CEND0812 633 HO_C6 EOL DC 53.99013 0.15852 23/05/2012 CEND0812 635 HO_C13 HC 53.96975 0.19908 23/05/2012 CEND0812 637 HO_S3 HC 53.96823 0.27652 23/05/2012 CEND0812 639 HO_S3 SOL DC 53.96827 0.27653 23/05/2012 CEND0812 639 HO_S3 EOL DC 53.969 0.27662 23/05/2012 CEND0812 641 HO_S2 HC 53.95546 0.26827 23/05/2012 CEND0812 643 HO_C24 HC 53.95088 0.3577 23/05/2012 CEND0812 644 HO_C24 SOL DC 53.95071 0.35766 23/05/2012 CEND0812 644 HO_C24 EOL DC 53.95153 0.35706 23/05/2012 CEND0812 646 HO_S5 HC 53.93435 0.44609 23/05/2012 CEND0812 648 HO_S6 HC 53.92371 0.46025 23/05/2012 CEND0812 649 HO_S6 SOL DC 53.92342 0.46037 23/05/2012 CEND0812 649 HO_S6 EOL DC 53.92416 0.45965 23/05/2012 CEND0812 651 HO_S7 HC 53.9095 0.47894 23/05/2012 CEND0812 653 HO_C26 HC 53.92213 0.42889 23/05/2012 CEND0812 655 HO_C20 HC 53.94441 0.30921 23/05/2012 CEND0812 657 HO_C22 HC 53.91785 0.33469 23/05/2012 CEND0812 658 HO_C22 SOL DC 53.91810 0.33472 23/05/2012 CEND0812 658 HO_C22 EOL DC 53.91741 0.33526 23/05/2012 CEND0812 660 HO_C18 HC 53.91117 0.28745 24/05/2012 CEND0812 662 HO_C16 HC 53.94133 0.23686 24/05/2012 CEND0812 664 HO_C11 HC 53.93668 0.17645 24/05/2012 CEND0812 665 HO_C11 SOL DC 53.93696 0.17618 24/05/2012 CEND0812 665 HO_C11 EOL DC 53.93637 0.1772 24/05/2012 CEND0812 667 HO_C14 HC 53.90804 0.21356 24/05/2012 CEND0812 669 HO_C10 HC 53.90326 0.15344 24/04/2012 CEND0812 670 HO_C10 SOL DC 53.903 0.15307 24/04/2012 CEND0812 670 HO_C10 EOL DC 53.90371 0.15363 24/05/2012 CEND0812 672 HO_C7 HC 53.93136 0.11575

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 26 Date Cruise Stn No. Stn Code Gear Latitude Longitude 24/05/2012 CEND0812 674 HO_C3 HC 53.92633 0.05572 24/05/2012 CEND0812 675 HO_C3 SOL DC 53.926 0.05556 24/05/2012 CEND0812 675 HO_C3 EOL DC 53.9271 0.05547 24/05/2012 CEND0812 677 HO_C5 HC 53.8983 0.09331 24/05/2012 CEND0812 679 HO_C8 HC 53.86972 0.13058 24/05/2012 CEND0812 680 HO_C8 SOL DC 53.87035 0.13008 24/05/2012 CEND0812 680 HO_C8 EOL DC 53.87035 0.13008 24/05/2012 CEND0812 682 HO_C12 HC 53.87524 0.1908354 24/05/2012 CEND0812 684 HO_MX3 HC 53.89188 0.20204 24/05/2012 CEND0812 686 HO_MX4 HC 53.89348 0.22491 24/05/2012 CEND0812 687 HO_MX4 SOL DC 53.89367 0.22536 24/05/2012 CEND0812 687 HO_MX4 EOL DC 53.89301 0.22449 24/05/2012 CEND0812 689 HO_C17 HC 53.87998 0.25089 24/05/2012 CEND0812 690 HO_C17 SOL DC 53.88018 0.25126 24/05/2012 CEND0812 690 HO_C17 EOL DC 53.87943 0.25055 24/05/2012 CEND0812 692 HO_C21 HC 53.88469 0.31101 24/05/2012 CEND0812 693 HO_C21 DC 53.88409 0.31159 24/05/2012 CEND0812 693 HO_C21 DC 53.88409 0.31159 24/05/2012 CEND0812 695 HO_C25 HC 53.88965 0.37155 24/05/2012 CEND0812 698 HO_C28 HC 53.89973 0.45023 24/05/2012 CEND0812 699 HO_C28 SOL DC 53.90002 0.45007 24/05/2012 CEND0812 699 HO_C28 EOL DC 53.89929 0.45103 24/05/2012 CEND0812 701 HO_C30 HC 53.86588 0.46911 24/05/2012 CEND0812 703 HO_C29 HC 53.84765 0.45192 24/05/2012 CEND0812 704 HO_C29 SOL DC 53.84774 0.45149 24/05/2012 CEND0812 704 HO_C29 EOL DC 53.84775 0.45305 24/05/2012 CEND0812 706 HO_C27 HC 53.84682 0.39041 24/05/2012 CEND0812 708 HO_C23 HC 53.8562 0.34888 24/05/2012 CEND0812 709 HO_C23 SOL DC 53.85593 0.34889 24/05/2012 CEND0812 709 HO_C23 EOL DC 53.85670 0.34834 24/05/2012 CEND0812 711 HO_MX1 HC 53.82798 0.37536 24/05/2012 CEND0812 712 HO_MX1 SOL DC 53.82770 0.37528 24/05/2012 CEND0812 712 HO_MX1 EOL DC 53.82851 0.37505 24/05/2012 CEND0812 714 HO_S4 HC 53.8404 0.29481 24/05/2012 CEND0812 715 HO_S4 SOL DC 53.84015 0.29478 24/05/2012 CEND0812 715 HO_S4 EOL DC 53.84101 0.29426 24/05/2012 CEND0812 717 HO_C19 HC 53.85139 0.28826 20/05/2012 CEND0812 718 HO_C19 SOL DC 53.85149 0.28779 20/05/2012 CEND0812 718 HO_C19 EOL DC 53.85151 0.28927 24/05/2012 CEND0812 720 HO_MX7 HC 53.84791 0.27324 24/05/2012 CEND0812 722 HO_MX2 HC 53.84914 0.25804 24/05/2012 CEND0812 723 HO_MX2 SOL DC 53.84904 0.25817 24/05/2012 CEND0812 723 HO_MX2 EOL DC 53.84826 0.25888 24/05/2012 CEND0812 726 HO_C15 SOL DC 53.84673 0.22808 24/05/2012 CEND0812 726 HO_C15 EOL DC 53.84599 0.22877 25/05/2012 CEND0812 729 HO_S1 SOL DC 53.83328 0.20439 25/05/2012 CEND0812 729 HO_S1 EOL DC 53.83261 0.2053

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 27 Appendix 2. Outputs from acoustic survey

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 28

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 29 Appendix 3. Evidence of human activities within the rMCZ

.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 30 Appendix 4. Species list Species list for grab samples (Species FOCI indicated by grey shading). Percentage occurrence was calculated as the ‘Number of samples where the species occurs / total number of samples x 100’.

Taxa % Occurrence HYDROIDS, CORALS, JELLYFISH, ANEMONES Edwardsia claparedii 13 Cerianthus lloydii 5 FLATWORMS Platyhelminthes 3 RIBBON WORMS Nemertea 80 PEANUT WORMS Sipuncula 28 Phascolion strombus 5 SEGMENTED WORMS Glycera lapidum 78 Scoloplos armiger 75 Goniada maculata 73 Lumbrineris gracilis 73 Polynoidae 68 Pholoe assimilis 65 Polycirrus medusa 60 Ophelia borealis 43 Melinna cristata 40 Owenia fusiformis 40 Laonice bahusiensis 38 Scalibregma celticum 38 Magelona johnstoni 35 Spiophanes kroyeri 33 Amphicteis gunneri 30 Aonides paucibranchiata 30 Chaetozone gibber 30 Eumida bahusiensis 28 Poecilochaetus serpens 28 Galathowenia oculata 25 Mediomastus fragilis 23 Pista cristata 23 Sabellaria spinulosa 23 Nephtys cirrosa 20 Aricidea 15 Exogone verugera 15 Nephtys caeca 15 Notomastus latericeus 15 Protodorvillea kefersteini 15 Sabellidae 15 Tharyx killariensis 15 Euchone rubrocincta 13 Eunereis longissima 13 Marphysa bellii 13

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 31 Taxa % Occurrence Pseudopolydora antennata 13 Scalibregma inflatum 13 Glycera alba 10 Glyphohesione klatti 10 Myriochele heeri 10 Phyllodocidae 10 Terebellides stroemi 10 Ampharete lindstroemi 8 Aricidea suecica 8 Chaetozone zetlandica 8 Lagis koreni 8 Levinsenia gracilis 8 Spio martinensis 8 Spiophanes bombyx 8 Amphictene auricoma 5 Drilonereis filum 5 Lanice conchilega 5 Magelona alleni 5 Ophelina cylindricaudata 5 Sabellidae 5 Thelepus cincinnatus 5 Travisia forbesii 5 Anaitides groenlandica 3 Cirratulus cirratus 3 Eteone longa 3 Eulalia bilineata 3 Laonice sarsi 3 Magelona filiformis 3 Maldanidae 3 Nephtys hombergii 3 Nephtys longosetosa 3 Nephtys pente 3 Nereimyra punctata 3 Nicomache lumbricalis 3 Ophelina acuminata 3 Pherusa plumosa 3 Phyllodoce mucosa 3 Podarkeopsis capensis 3 Prionospio cirrifera 3 Sphaerodorum gracilis 3 Spiophanes wigleyi 3 Syllidae 3 Trichobranchus roseus 3 SEA SPIDERS Nymphon brevirostre 28 Achelia echinata 25 Callipallene brevirostris 15 Anoplodactylus petiolatus 5 CRUSTACEANS Urothoe elegans 63

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 32 Taxa % Occurrence Cheirocratus 40 Galathea intermedia 38 Ampelisca tenuicornis 35 Leptocheirus hirsutimanus 33 Bodotria scorpioides 30 Cheirocratus intermedius 30 Gnathia oxyuraea 28 Pisidia longicornis 25 Upogebia stellata 25 Urothoe marina 25 Nototropis vedlomensis 20 Liocarcinus pusillus 18 Gnathia 15 Bathyporeia elegans 13 Dyopedos porrectus 13 Pseudoprotella phasma 13 Tanaopsis graciloides 13 Gammaropsis maculata 10 Paguridae 10 Amphilochus manudens 8 Callianassidae 8 Ebalia cranchii 8 Leucothoe incisa 8 Pontocrates altamarinus 8 Sarsinebalia typhlops 8 Abludomelita obtusata 5 Ampelisca 5 Ampelisca spinipes 5 Bathyporeia 5 Cheirocratus assimilis 5 Decapoda 5 Ebalia tuberosa 5 Haploops tubicola 5 Iphimedia obesa 5 Munna minuta 5 Othomaera othonis 5 Perioculodes longimanus 5 Pseudocuma simile 5 Thoralus cranchii 5 Westwoodilla caecula 5 Acidostoma neglectum 3 Diastyloides biplicatus 3 Eudorellopsis deformis 3 Harpinia crenulata 3 Hemilamprops rosea 3 Hippomedon denticulatus 3 Melitidae 3 Parapleustes bicuspis 3 Photis longicaudata 3 Photis pollex 3

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 33 Taxa % Occurrence Pilumnus hirtellus 3 Tmetonyx cicada 3 Unciola crenatipalma 3 MOLLUSCS Dosinia lupinus 58 Abra nitida 48 Jupiteria minuta 38 Timoclea ovata 35 Mya truncata 28 Kurtiella bidentata 25 Leptochiton asellus 20 Thracia villosiuscula 18 Phaxas pellucidus 15 Bivalvia 13 Moerella pygmaea 13 Parvicardium pinnulatum 13 Spisula elliptica 13 Hiatella arctica 10 Chamelea striatula 8 Euspira nitida 8 Gastropoda 8 Nucula sulcata 8 Clausinella fasciata 5 Gari fervensis 5 Onchidoris muricata 5 Tridonta elliptica 5 Abra prismatica 3 Arctica islandica 3 Cylichna cylindracea 3 Eulima bilineata 3 Loripes lucinalis 3 Modiolus 3 Philine aperta 3 Thracia 3 Thyasira flexuosa 3 Trochidae 3 Vitreolina philippi 3 HORSESHOE WORMS Phoronis muelleri 13 SEA STARS, URCHINS, SEA CUCUMBERS Amphiura 53 Echinocyamus pusillus 43 Amphiura filiformis 35 Ophiuridae 25 Ophiura sarsi 20 Ophiuroidea 18 Psammechinus miliaris 8 Asterias rubens 5 Brissopsis lyrifera 3 Ophiura 3

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 34 Taxa % Occurrence Thyone fusus 3 ACORN WORMS Glossobalanus marginatus 3

Species list for video samples (Species FOCI indicated by grey shading). ‘Number of video samples where the species occurs / total number of video samples x 100’.

Taxa % Occurrence SPONGES Porifera 16 HYDROIDS, CORALS, JELLYFISH, ANEMONES Hydrozoa 96 Alcyonium digitatum 88 Anthozoa 88 Urticina 76 Nemertesia 56 Tubularia indivisa 48 Abietinaria abietina 44 Hydrallmania falcata 44 Nemertesia ramosa 24 Sertularia cupressina 12 Kirchenpaueria pinnata 12 Thuiaria thuja 8 Nemertesia antennina 4 Cerianthus lloydii 4 Sagartia elegans 4 SEGMENTED WORMS Spirobranchus 96 Polychaeta 80 Sabellaria spinulosa 8 Sabellidae 8 CRUSTACEANS Liocarcinus depurator 40 Liocarcinus 40 Cancer pagurus 32 Caridea 28 Galatheidae 28 Necora puber 28 Brachyura 28 Paguridae 28 Galatheidae 12 Majidae 8 Munida rugosa 8 MOLLUSCS Calliostoma zizyphinum 24 Gastropoda 12 Buccinidae 8 Flabellinidae 8 Pecten maximus 8

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 35 Taxa % Occurrence Nudibranchia 4 Pectinidae 4 Pelecypoda 4 BRYOZOANS Flustra foliacea 100 Securiflustra securifrons 68 Alcyonidium diaphanum 56 Bryozoa 44 Crisia 20 Cellaria 4 Vesicularia spinosa 4 SEA STARS, URCHINS, SEA CUCUMBERS Asterias rubens 92 Asteroidea 80 Echinus esculentus 36 Henricia 20 Crossaster papposus 16 Ophiura albida 16 Ophiura 12 Henricia 8 Ophiuroidea 4 FISH Teleostei 24 Pholis gunnellus 12 Pleuronectidae 12 Agonus cataphractus 8 Callionymus lyra 8 Gobiidae 4 Triglidae 4 ALGAE Rhodophyta 8

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 36 Appendix 5. Analyses of sediment samples: classification and composition Stn No. Stn Code Latitude Longitude Sediment Description EUNIS Level 3/BSH Gravel (%) Sand (%) Silt/clay (%) 616 HO_C1 54.01671 0.0034873 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 62.24 30.43 7.33 624 HO_C2 53.95513 0.0182081 coarse sediment A5.1 - Subtidal coarse sediment 51.22 44.01 4.77 674 HO_C3 53.92633 0.0557234 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 64.67 31.46 3.88 677 HO_C5 53.89839 0.0933087 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 55.58 39.78 4.64 632 HO_C6 53.9901 0.1574995 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 32.04 56.79 11.17 672 HO_C7 53.93136 0.1157453 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 59.41 13.27 27.33 679 HO_C8 53.86982 0.1305045 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 40.64 15.54 43.82 630 HO_C9 53.96519 0.1385173 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 45.15 47.08 7.77 669 HO_C10 53.90326 0.1534432 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 18.15 53.14 28.71 664 HO_C11 53.93668 0.1764536 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 44.85 44.02 11.12 682 HO_C12 53.87524 0.1908354 sand and muddy sand A5.2 - Subtidal sand 2.64 97.33 0.03 635 HO_C13 53.96975 0.1990756 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 19.66 20.98 59.36 667 HO_C14 53.90804 0.2135747 mud and sandy mud A5.3 - Subtidal mud 0.70 78.71 20.59 662 HO_C16 53.94133 0.2368583 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 36.52 50.95 12.53 689 HO_C17 53.87998 0.2508942 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 29.62 52.88 17.50 660 HO_C18 53.91117 0.2874508 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 18.68 62.59 18.73 717 HO_C19 53.85139 0.2882639 coarse sediment A5.1 - Subtidal coarse sediment 57.86 40.42 1.72 655 HO_C20 53.94441 0.309214 coarse sediment A5.1 - Subtidal coarse sediment 8.97 85.65 5.38 692 HO_C21 53.88469 0.3110075 coarse sediment A5.1 - Subtidal coarse sediment 39.43 56.87 3.70 657 HO_C22 53.91785 0.3346921 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 20.69 65.05 14.26 708 HO_C23 53.8562 0.3488769 coarse sediment A5.1 - Subtidal coarse sediment 26.86 68.97 4.17 643 HO_C24 53.95088 0.3577019 coarse sediment A5.1 - Subtidal coarse sediment 38.62 57.16 4.22 695 HO_C25 53.88965 0.3715523 coarse sediment A5.1 - Subtidal coarse sediment 35.80 63.00 1.20 653 HO_C26 53.92213 0.4288871 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 27.29 50.21 22.50 706 HO_C27 53.84682 0.3904056 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 32.97 58.14 8.89 698 HO_C28 53.89973 0.4502272 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 21.81 18.71 59.48 703 HO_C29 53.84765 0.4519225 coarse sediment A5.1 - Subtidal coarse sediment 47.76 50.30 1.95 701 HO_C30 53.86588 0.4691134 coarse sediment A5.1 - Subtidal coarse sediment 37.67 60.06 2.27 711 HO_Mx1 53.82798 0.3753616 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 32.93 59.67 7.40

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 37 Stn No. Stn Code Latitude Longitude Sediment Description EUNIS Level 3/BSH Gravel (%) Sand (%) Silt/clay (%) 722 HO_Mx2 53.84914 0.2580429 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 35.47 56.92 7.61 684 HO_Mx3 53.89188 0.2020383 sand and muddy sand A5.2 - Subtidal sand 0.81 99.19 0.01 686 HO_Mx4 53.89348 0.2249138 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 15.89 52.16 31.96 619 HO_Mx5 53.99602 0.039072 coarse sediment A5.1 - Subtidal coarse sediment 58.96 38.17 2.87 720 HO_Mx7 53.84791 0.273237 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 45.78 47.53 6.69 641 HO_S2 53.95546 0.2682681 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 17.79 21.20 61.01 637 HO_S3 53.96823 0.2765247 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 14.99 62.78 22.23 714 HO_S4 53.8404 0.2948061 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 46.20 48.33 5.46 646 HO_S5 53.93435 0.4460911 coarse sediment A5.1 - Subtidal coarse sediment 24.43 71.71 3.86 648 HO_S6 53.92371 0.4602451 coarse sediment A5.1 - Subtidal coarse sediment 56.18 40.22 3.60 651 HO_S7 53.9095 0.4789384 mixed sediments A5.4 - Subtidal mixed sediments 55.51 13.14 31.34

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 38 Appendix 6. BSH/EUNIS Level 3 descriptions derived from video and stills Station No. Station Code Latitude Longitude Habitat No. EUNIS Level 3/BSH MNCR Code 617 HO_C1 54.0164 0.0036656 1 A5.4 - Subtidal Mixed Sediments SS.SMx 620 HO_MX5 53.9958 0.0388544 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 625 HO_C2 53.9553 0.0182482 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 628 HO_C4 53.9607 0.0786873 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 633 HO_C6 53.9902 0.1572037 1 A5.4 - Subtidal Mixed Sediments SS.SMx 639 HO_S3 53.9683 0.2765327 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 644 HO_C24 53.9507 0.3576598 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 649 HO_S6 53.9234 0.4603676 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 658 HO_C22 53.9181 0.3347244 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 665 HO_C11 53.937 0.1761792 1 A5.4 - Subtidal Mixed Sediments SS.SMx 670 HO_C10 53.903 0.153071 1 A5.4 - Subtidal Mixed Sediments SS.SMx 750 HO_C3 53.926 0.0555631 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 800 HO_C8 53.8695 0.1304731 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 687 HO_MX4 53.8937 0.2253584 1 A5.4 - Subtidal Mixed Sediments SS.SMx 690 HO_C17 53.8802 0.2512582 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 693 HO_C21 53.8849 0.3110234 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 699 HO_C28 53.9 0.4500705 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 704 HO_C29 53.8477 0.4514941 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 709 HO_C23 53.8559 0.3488876 1 A4.2 - Moderate Energy Circalittoral Rock CR.MCR 715 HO_S4 53.8402 0.2947839 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 712 HO_MX1 53.8277 0.3752766 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 718 HO_C19 53.8515 0.2877941 1 A4.2 - Moderate Energy Circalittoral Rock CR.MCR 723 HO_MX2 53.849 0.2581728 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 726 HO_C15 53.8467 0.2280777 1 A4.2 - Moderate Energy Circalittoral Rock CR.MCR 726 HO_C15 53.8461 0.22865 2 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS 726 HO_C15 53.846 0.2287667 3 A4.2 - Moderate Energy Circalittoral Rock CR.MCR 729 HO_S1 53.8333 0.204387 1 A5.1 - Subtidal Coarse Sediment SS.SCS

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 39 Appendix 7. Example images from survey for broadscale habitats Broadscale Habitats Description Example Image taken during survey A4.1 High energy Deeper water rock, circalittoral rock subject to very strong waves and currents

A4.2 Moderate energy Deeper water rock, circalittoral rock subject to moderate waves and currents

A5.1 Subtidal coarse Coarse sediments sediment including coarse sand, gravel, pebbles, shingle and cobbles which are often unstable due to tidal currents and/or wave action.

A5.2 Subtidal sand Clean medium to fine sands or non-cohesive slightly muddy sands on open coasts, offshore or in estuaries and marine inlets.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 40 Broadscale Habitats Description Example Image taken during survey A5.3 Subtidal mud Sublittoral mud and No image available cohesive sandy mud extending from the extreme lower shore to offshore, circalittoral habitats. A5.4 Subtidal mixed Sublittoral mixed sediments (heterogeneous) sediments found from the extreme low water mark to deep offshore circalittoral habitats.

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 41 Appendix 8. Example images from survey for habitat FOCI Habitat FOCI Description Example Image taken during survey Subtidal Sands and Sand and gravel Gravels seabeds widespread around the UK

Holderness Offshore rMCZ Post-survey Site Report 42

© Crown Copyright 2017