015 Coastal and Marine

7/30/2019 015 Coastal and Marine

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STATUS & ECOLOGYThe Edinburgh coastline, which extends for 26 km from South Queensferry eastward to Joppa, is an extremely important partof the Firth of Forth. This Plan covers all those habitats which are directly influenced by the sea: subtidal areas, intertidal

mudflats and sandflats, rocky shores and islands are notable but saltmarsh, sand dunes and coastal grassland are poorly

represented in Edinburgh, largely because they have been lost to development.

The Firth of Forth is perhaps best known for its bird populations.The Forth is of international importance for its wintering wildfowl

and waders, ranking 7th of the UK estuaries for its wildfowl, 14th

for its waders and 11th overall in terms of total numbers. Several

species for which the Forth is of international or national importance,

such as great crested grebe, eider, redshank, knot and bar-tailedgodwit are concentrated in Edinburghs coastal habitats. The Forth

is also of international importance for its breeding seabirds and

some important colonies are in Edinburgh.

This importance to birds has been recognised in the notification ofalmost the entire coastline as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The total area of coastal SSSIs within Edinburgh is 902 ha with only

50 ha of Edinburghs intertidal land lying outwith these. On account

of their bird populations these coastal SSSIs are also included as part

of the Firth of Forth potential Special Protection Area (SPA) andpotential Ramsar site, whose boundaries are still to be determined.

Inchmickery SSSI is part of the Forth Islands SPA.

Comparatively little is known about the subtidal biodiversity off Edinburgh. Most of the Inner Firths subtidal habitat consists

of soft sediments, chiefly shallow muds that may have a shelly surface layer. A large part of the inner Firth has an impoverishedfauna of deposit feeding communities includingAbra nitida (a bivalve mollusc) with the scale wormPholoe inornata, and a

number of polychaete worms. Fish populations are diverse. Approximately fifty species which use the Firth as either an over-wintering or nursery ground, or are permanently resident here. The commercial fishery targets exclusively shellfish, including

lobster, velvet crabs, edible crabs and prawn. The edible mussel is collected from the intertidal areas of Cramond and Granton

as stock for on-growing in other coastal areas. There is a creel fishery for common whelk in parts of the estuary not characterisedby hard, rocky seabed.

Rocky habitats, confined mainly to the coastal fringes and to the islands such as Inchmickery, are much higher in species

diversity, with a predominance of filter feeding sedentary organisms and macroalgae. However, little information exists on the

biodiversity associated with the Forths islands.

The following Edinburgh Biodiversity Action Plan species can be found in Coastal & Marine habitats:Animals: knot,

great crested grebe, roseate tern, common tern, river lamprey, Atlantic salmon, six-spot burnet, henbane flea beetle,Glyphipterix minorella (a micromoth). Plants: sea rocket, autumn gentian, common centaury and eelgrass.

Distribution ofCoastal & Marine habitats

along Edinburghs coastline

There is a perpetual mystery and excitement inliving on the seashore, which is in part a return tochildhood...the child sees the bright shells, the vividweeds and red sea anemones of the rock pools withwonder and the childs eye for minutiae.

Gavin Maxwell

Coastal and Marine


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ThreatsFurther proposals for coastal landclaim

are under consideration at Granton andLeith. This is of particular concern given

the likelihood of sea level rise and the

probable associated calls for sea defence

strengthening. Sea level rise is now

considered a significant issue in the Firthof Forth. If so, habitats will change and

saltmarsh and sand dunes may not

translocate up the land/sea interface as

seawalls and built development will

prevent this from happening. Thiscoastal squeeze is liable to be

particularly significant in Edinburgh, as

only westward of the River Almond is the

capitals coastline not protected by sea

defences. Increased storminess is anotherprediction from global climate change

and this may increase the erosion of

mudflats and saltmarsh as well as fragile

communities below low water mark.

Marine sand extraction proposals are also

currently being considered. Increased

turbidity, the removal of benthic

organisms and a proliferation of

scavenging creatures attracted by theavailability of dead and dying organisms

are potential effects.

Contaminated groundwater, particularly

by agricultural run-off, is a major cause

of nutrient enrichment in the upper Forthestuary and the Firth of Forth. Urban

run-off, particularly from the surfacedrainage of roads, also enters the Firth

along the Edinburgh coastline with

relatively unknown impact on the coastaland marine habitat.

The fishing industry has had an enormous

influence on the Forths habitats and

wildlife populations. Overexploitationled to the complete demise of the herring

fishery and others, such as the haddock

fishery, are severely restricted by

regulation to protect remaining stocks.

The Firth also once supported Scotlandslargest oyster fishery, but no live oysters

are to be found today. Virtually the only

fishing that still takes place within the

Forth is trawling for Norwegian lobster

and creel fishing for lobsters and crabs.Imbalances in fish predator-prey

relationships may have had a knock-on

effect on seabirds and seals and the seabed

has been profoundly altered in places by

repeated trawling.

The effects in the Firth of Forth of hormone-disrupting chemicals are unknown,

although elsewhere they have been shown to induce sex changes in fish and other

organisms. They enter the ecosystem via sewage and industrial discharges. The

introduction, deliberate or accidental, of alien species to coastal and marineenvironments is an ever-present threat. Alien species of phytoplankton, which may

be introduced by shipping traffic through discharge of ballast water, are of particular

concern at Hound Point. Some of the highest levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning

in Scotland are found within the Forth.

A sandeel fishery has recently opened on the Wee Bankie and has been cited as the

main cause for the decline in numbers and breeding success of terns, which depend

on sandeels to feed their chicks. This fishery could also affect other seabirds, seals,

cetaceans and other commercial fish species, which feed on sandeels. Proposals forits seasonal closure to protect breeding seabirds have been made by the UKGovernment but have yet to be accepted by the EU. Bait and shellfish collection

may also be increasing since restrictions have been placed on collecting from many

sites in north-east England.

Public attitudes to coastal and marine habitats are important. Mudflats are frequently

perceived as being smelly, dangerous, unattractive and worthless habitats that lackvegetation and whose animal inhabitants are hidden or unseen. Marine habitats

are often viewed as homogeneous and extensive, so that loss or deterioration in

quality of a small part may be thought of as insignificant, whereas the cumulative

impacts of many small losses may be considerable.

ImpactsSignificant areas of coastal habitats have been lost over the last 300 years as a result

of human activity, usually to land claim such as at Leith Docks where an estimated

450ha of habitat has been lost. Changes in habitat type or quality may also result

from trawling, dredging, trenching or laying of pipelines on the sea bed, dumping

of material and mechanical beach-cleaning.

Edinburgh Sewage Treatment Works discharges primary treated effluent through

a long sea outfall at Seafield and is the largest source of sewage effluent to the firth.

The quantity of sewage effluent discharged into the Firth of Forth has risen withincreasing population. However, monitoring has shown little environmental impact

from the sewage treatment works on the seabed in recent years, and only minor

effects on the size and composition of phytoplankton blooms in the Inner Forth.

Levels of dissolved oxygen only fall below environmental quality standards in the

upper Forth Estuary during periods of low river f low in the summer.

Industrial discharges have also had a significant impact in the past but are now less

important - spent grain from breweries, piped directly into the Forth, once supported

huge numbers of sea-ducks. Chronic oil pollution is still found at all ports and busyshipping routes but serious oil spill incidents are made less likely by strict legalcontrols. Litter is another persistent problem. The prevalence of slowly degrading

plastic waste is a recent development - these can act as traps for wildlife, can

contribute to the chemical load in the water and can exacerbate physical processes

such as accretion on saltmarshes and sand dunes.

FACTORS CAUSING LOSS OR DECLINE


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TargetsIncrease understanding and awareness of the extent and quality of Edinburghs

coastal and marine habitats, the natural processes on which they depend and the

threats to their conservation. Achieve legal protection for all important intertidal

habitats and prevent their further loss or damage. Maintain and enhance dune

grassland. Identify and maintain major bird roost sites as suitable and free fromdisturbance.

ACTION PLAN OBJECTIVES & TARGETSObjectiveTo maintain and enhance the extent and

quality of Edinburghs coastal and marinehabitats through targeted conservation

action.

CURRENT ACTIONNature conservation designations and associated planning policies afford

a measure of protection from damaging development through the

development control process and by imposing obligations on site ownersto manage their land in certain ways. Below low water mark the CrownEstate, as owners of the seabed, issue licences for activities such as minerals

dredging or pipeline installation. A prerequisite to the issue of a licence

is a favourable Government View issued by the Scottish Executive.

Government has announced plans to change these arrangements.

Responsibility for pollution control rests with the Scottish Environment

Protection Agency. Discharges to the sea have been reduced considerably

in recent years and East of Scotland Water Authority have embarked upon

a programme of upgrading all sewage outfalls and treatment works in line

with the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.

The RSPB and Forth Seabird Group monitor seabird colonies. Non-

breeding wildfowl and waders are counted as part of the Wetland BirdSurvey (WeBS) and Beached Bird Surveys are co-ordinated by the RSPB.

The Forth Estuary Forum, a non-statutory voluntary partnership, has

produced an integrated management strategy to help guide present and

future activities. This will be of particular importance in helping to

understand, maintain and enhance coastal and marine habitats in Edinburghas well as helping to reconcile the multiple, and often conflicting, uses of

the estuarine waters.


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THE CITY O F EDINBURGH CO UNCILHE CITY O F EDINBURGH CO UNCIL

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Key ContactsForth Estuary Forum Mark Jennison

Scottish Natural Heritage Julie DewarScottish Executive Cameron Easton

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Peter Gordon

Scottish Conservation Projects Fran Keith

City of Edinburgh Council (Recreation) Carol Huston

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ActionsctionsActions

CHAMPIONS

Progress the designation of the potential Special Protection Area (pSPA)and supporting Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the Firth of

Forth where appropriate, from Winter 2000.(Actioned by: Scottish Executive & Scottish Natural Heritage)

Review existing information on the location, importance and threats tobird roost sites along Edinburghs coastline by Autumn 2000,

introducing management actions as necessary.(Actioned by: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds & Scottish Natural Heritage)

Interpret the importance and biodiversity of coastal and marinehabitats through ranger activities and the production of

interpretative material, from Spring 2002.(Actioned by: City of Edinburgh Council Recreation Department & Forth Estuary Forum)

Prepare and publish an audit of current and ongoing research in theFirth of Forth by Summer 2002 and a GIS-based inventory of the extent

and quality of Edinburghs coastal and marine habitats by Autumn 2004.(Actioned by: Forth Estuary Forum)

Prevent damage to the dune grassland at Hound Point and Silverknowesthrough the introduction of appropriate management by Winter 2003.

(Actioned by: Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Conservation Projects & City of Edinburgh Council)

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015 Coastal and Marine