A Review of the Effects of Recreational Interactions Within UK European Marine Sites
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A review of the effects of recreational interactions within UK European marine sites November 2000 Prepared for the UK Marine SACs Project, Task Manager Sarah Soffe, Countryside Council for Wales Report By: UK CEED Marine in association with Bournemouth University, Centre for Coastal Conservation and Education. Catherine Saunders, Jonathan Selwyn, Sam Richardson Vince May, Carolyn Heeps This report is produced with the financial support of the Environment Agency and as part of the UK Marine SACs Project – a joint venture involving English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage, Countryside Council for Wales, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland and Scottish Association for Marine Science and the financial support of the European Commission’s LIFE – Nature Programme. 1 Acknowledgements Throughout the development of this report considerable support and assistance has been provided by many organisations and individuals. Particular thanks are extended to recreational and industry representatives, especially Jerry Eardley of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and Fergal Quinn of the British Marine Industries Federation (BMIF), who provided essential links with individuals in demonstration areas and enabled the collection of valuable site specific information. The time and effort expended by those who reviewed the report at the various stages of drafting is also appreciated. Thanks are also extended to the Marine Special Areas of Conservation (mSAC) officers in demonstration sites, who provided a valuable insight into the issues associated with management for nature conservation in the field. Particular thanks go to the members of the steering group and to Sarah Soffe, for all their valuable support and assistance during the course of the study. Catherine Saunders July 1999 Citation UK CEED 2000. A review of the effects of recreational interactions within UK European marine sites. Countryside Council for Wales (UK Marine SACs Project) 264 Pages The UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development, Suite E, 3 King’s Parade, Cambridge, CB2 1SJ Email: [email protected] Website: www.ukceed.org 2 Preface The 1990s have witnessed a “call to action” for marine biodiversity conservation. The global Convention on Biodiversity, the European Union’s Habitats Directive and recent developments to the Oslo and Paris Convention have each provided a significant step forward. In each case marine protected areas are identified as having a key role in sustaining marine biodiversity. The Habitats Directive requires the maintenance or restoration of natural habitats and species of European interest at favourable conservation status, with the management of a network of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) being one of the main vehicles to achieving this. Among the habitats and species specified in the Annexes I and II of the Directive, several are marine features and SACs have already been selected for many of these in the UK. But to manage specific habitats and species effectively there needs to be clear understanding of their distribution, biology and ecology and their sensitivity to change. From such a foundation, realistic guidance on management and monitoring can be derived and applied. One initiative now underway to help implement the Habitats Directive is the UK Marine SACs LIFE Project, involving a four year partnership (1996-2001) between: English Nature Scottish Natural Heritage Countryside Council for Wales Environment and Heritage Service, Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and Scottish Association of Marine Science. The overall goal of the Project is to establish management schemes on 12 of the candidate marine SAC sites. A key component of the Project is to assess the interactions that can take place between human activities and the Annex I and II interest features on these sites. This understanding will provide for better management of these features by defining those activities that may have a beneficial, neutral or harmful impact and by giving examples of management measures that will prevent or minimise adverse effects. Seven areas where human activity may impact on marine features were identified for study, ranging from specific categories of activity to broad potential impacts. They are: port and harbour operations recreational user interactions collecting bait and shoreline animals water quality in lagoons water quality in coastal areas aggregate extraction fisheries. These seven were selected on the grounds that each includes issues that need to be considered by relevant authorities in managing many of the marine SACs. In each case, the existing knowledge is often extensive but widely dispersed and needs collating as guidance for the specific purpose of managing marine SACs. The reports from these studies are the result of specialist input and wide consultation with representatives of both the nature conservation, user and interest bodies. They are aimed at staff from the relevant authorities who jointly have the responsibility for assessing activities on 3 marine SACs and ensuring appropriate management. But they will also provide a valuable resource for industry, user and interest groups who have an important role in advising relevant authorities and for practitioners elsewhere in Europe. The reports provide a sound basis on which to make management decisions on marine SACs and also on other related initiatives such as the Biodiversity Action Plans and Oslo and Paris Convention. As a result, they will make a substantial contribution to the conservation of our important marine wildlife. We commend them to all concerned with the sustainable use and conservation of our marine and coastal heritage. Sue Collins Dr Margaret Hill Chair, UK Marine SACs Project Head Maritime and Earth Science Branch Director, English Nature Countryside Council for Wales 4 Contents Acknowledgements.......................................................................................................2 Preface...........................................................................................................................3 Executive Summary .....................................................................................................9 English……………………………………………………………………………..9 Welsh…………………………………………………………………………..…17 1. Introduction .........................................................................................................25 1.1 The Aim of the Guidelines .............................................................................25 1.2 Background to European Marine Sites...........................................................25 1.3 The Scope of the Guidelines...........................................................................28 1.4 Approach to the Study ....................................................................................30 1.5 How to Use this Guide....................................................................................32 1.6 Summary.........................................................................................................35 2. Marine Features and their Sensitivity...............................................................37 2.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................37 2.2 Estuaries..........................................................................................................38 2.3 Mud and Sand Flats Not Covered by Sea Water at Low Tide........................41 2.4 Subtidal Sandbanks.........................................................................................42 2.5 Large Shallow Inlets and Bays .......................................................................43 2.6 Lagoons...........................................................................................................44 2.7 Reefs ...............................................................................................................45 2.8 Submerged or Partly Submerged Sea Caves ..................................................46 2.9 Grey & Common Seal ....................................................................................47 2.10 Bottlenose Dolphins........................................................................................49 2.11 Summary.........................................................................................................50 3. Recreation and the Marine Environment .........................................................53 3.1 The Benefits of Recreation for Nature Conservation .....................................53 3.2 The Importance of Recreation ........................................................................54 3.3 Trends in Recreational and Leisure Participation...........................................54 3.4 Findings from the Questionnaire Surveys ......................................................56 3.5 Summary.........................................................................................................63 4. Potential Effects of Water-based Recreation....................................................65 4.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................65 4.2 Engine Emissions............................................................................................65 4.3 Noise Disturbance...........................................................................................68