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F I N A L R E P O R T
Contribution of existing protected areas to the MPA network and identification of remaining MPA search feature priorities
For further information on this report please contact:
Morven Carruthers Oliver Crawford-Avis Scottish Natural Heritage Joint Nature Conservation Committee Great Glen House Inverdee House Leachkin Road Baxter Street Inverness, IV3 8NW Aberdeen, AB11 9QA Telephone: 01463 725 018 Telephone: 01224 266587 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
This report should be quoted as:
Carruthers, M., Chaniotis, P.D., Clark, L., Crawford-Avis, O., Gillham, K., Linwood, M., Oates, J., Steel, L., and Wilson, E. 2011. Contribution of existing protected areas to the MPA network and identification of remaining MPA search feature priorities. Internal report produced by Scottish Natural Heritage, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Marine Scotland for the Scottish Marine Protected Areas Project.
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. This report was produced as part of the Scottish MPA Project and the views expressed by the author(s) should not be taken as the views and policies of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Scottish Natural Heritage or Scottish Ministers.
© Scottish Natural Heritage 2011
2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Detailed assessments were completed for each of the MPA search features, based on the data available in GeMS1. These were used as a basis to assess the extent to which MPA search features are represented within the existing network of protected areas.
130 protected areas (including marine SACs, SPA extensions, SSSIs with maritime components, and fisheries areas established for nature conservation purposes) were included in the analysis.
A further eight locations (including Areas of Search for SACs and dSACs) were noted, but not considered in the assessment as part of the existing MPA network.
Eight MPA search features are considered to be well represented within the existing network, either in territorial or offshore waters, or both.
A further five MPA search features are not considered to be useful drivers for the selection of MPAs, in light of the data available.
24 SACs and six fisheries areas established for nature conservation were considered to contribute to the protection of MPA search features.
10 further protected areas could provide an additional contribution to the network if they were enhanced with MPA designation.
31 MPA search features are considered to remain priorities, either in territorial or offshore waters, or both.
The list of MPA search features which will be used to focus options for finalising the MPA network will be refined following the outcome of discussions at the 3rd National Stakeholder workshop and agreement of which areas will be enhanced.
.
1 GeMS - Geodatabase of Marine features in Scotland
3
Contents Page no.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................... 2
1. BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................... 5
2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................... 6
3. METHODS................................................................................................................... 6
4. ASSESSMENT OF MPA SEARCH FEATURE PRESENCE AND PRIORITISATION OF REMAINING MPA SEARCH FEATURES............................................................. 9
5. ASSESSMENT OF OPTIONS FOR ENHANCING EXISTING PROTECTED AREAS ........................................................................................................................ 20
6. NEXT STEPS .............................................................................................................. 27
7. ANNEXES ................................................................................................................... 28
Annex 1 Description of detailed assessments undertaken for MPA search features....................................................................................................... 28
Annex 2 Existing protected areas considered within the analysis ............................ 31
4
List of figures and tables
Page no.
Figure 1 Technical process for identifying Nature Conservation MPAs: how MPA search features will be used to complete the MPA network............................. 5
Table A(i) Contribution of existing SACs to the MPA network .......................................... 9
Table A(ii) Contribution of existing fisheries areas established for nature conservation to the MPA network..................................................................... 12
Table B Representation of MPA search features within existing SACs and fisheries areas established for nature conservation ......................................... 12
Table C MPA search features already well represented within existing protected areas ................................................................................................................ 15
Table D MPA search features which are not well represented within existing protected areas but which are not being considered as drivers for developing the MPA network …. ...................................................................... 15
Table E MPA search features considered to be gaps in the existing network ............... 16
Table F Occurrence of MPA search features within and adjacent to existing protected areas and preferred options for their contribution to the network............................................................................................................. 21
Table G Existing protected areas containing MPA search features identified as gaps, together with reasons for not considering further ................................... 25
5
1. BACKGROUND
The Scottish MPA Selection Guidelines set out the policy and approach for selecting MPAs and developing an ecologically coherent network of MPAs in Scotland’s seas. MPAs are set within the broader context of Scottish Government’s three pillar approach to marine nature conservation comprising site protection, species protection and wider seas policies and measures. Figure 1 is taken from the MPA Selection Guidelines and shows the technical process for identifying MPAs.
Figure 1 Technical process for identifying Nature Conservation MPAs: how MPA search features will be used to complete the MPA network
Step B in the flow chart above incorporates the current analysis as well as other related tasks. Under Initial steps (Section 5.6), the Scottish MPA Selection Guidelines state: For biodiversity, the process began with development of a list of MPA search features 2 and a review of:
The potential contribution that existing (and proposed) Natura sites and other designations could make to the protection of MPA search features.
2 A list of MPA search features is provided in Annex 3 of the Scottish MPA Selection Guidelines
6
This analysis is about recognising what these protected areas can deliver beyond their existing qualifying features and management. Included within this analysis are areas with fisheries restrictions which have been put in place for the purpose of nature conservation.
2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this analysis is to assess which features are already being protected by existing protected areas, which existing protected areas could deliver more to the MPA network through enhancement and therefore identify which MPA search features should remain as priorities in the identification of suitable search locations.
The objectives are to:
i. Assess the distribution of MPA search features within existing protected areas including Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas3, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and fisheries areas established for nature conservation.
ii. Assess the protection of MPA search features within existing protected areas. This assessment is to be based on whether or not the feature is considered to be part of the feature(s) covered by the formal designation or the fisheries management.
iii. Identify existing protected areas which already contribute to the network. Identify and prioritise options for increasing the contribution that existing protected areas could make to the network if they were to be enhanced by a Nature Conservation MPA.
iv. Identify which MPA search features should be considered priorities for selecting new Nature Conservation MPAs in Scotland’s seas.
3. METHODS
The assessment work was carried out in four parts:
A. Detailed assessment of each MPA search feature. B. Assessment of presence of MPA search features in existing protected areas. C. Identification of areas which already contribute to the protection of MPA search
features and those which could deliver more through enhancing the existing protection. D. Review of prioritisation of MPA search features.
The methods used for each are described below.
A. Detailed assessment of each MPA search feature
Annex 1 provides a description of the detailed assessments undertaken for each MPA search feature. The data on which these assessments are based come from GeMS4 (Ver. 1). The assessments have been produced to provide transparent summaries of all the relevant information on these features and allow ready access to the interpreted data without having to rely on direct access to GeMS.
The detailed assessments for all MPA search features are available online5.
3 The main assessment includes the SPA colony extensions only, although a further 56 SPA colonies were
considered specifically in relation to black guillemot and intertidal MPA search features 4 GeMS - Geodatabase of Marine features in Scotland 5 These will be made available at: http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/national-
designations/marine-protected-areas/scottish-mpa-project/
7
B. Assessment of presence of MPA search features in existing protected areas
A review was undertaken of the extent to which the known distribution of MPA search features within Scotland’s seas lie within existing protected areas. Annex 2 contains a list of all the existing protected areas used in the analysis. These included marine SACs, SPA extensions, SSSIs with maritime components, and fisheries areas established for nature conservation purposes. A further 56 SPA colonies were considered specifically for black guillemot and intertidal MPA search features. Eight locations (including dSACs and Areas of Search for SACs) were noted, but not considered in the assessment as part of the existing MPA network.
The review was based on the detailed assessments completed under A. In particular, the distribution and coverage of MPA search features were assessed against Stage 5 of the Scottish MPA Selection Guidelines:
representation - considered to be met if one example is protected and if that reflects the importance of MPA regions for particular features;
replication - considered to be met if more than one example is protected (where relevant);
geographic range and variation - considered to be met if the protected examples broadly reflect the recorded geographic range and variation;
linkages - focus on important locations in the life stages of highly mobile species ; and
resilience - consideration of whether a greater proportion of the features should be protected for particularly threatened and/or declining features.
MPA search features not protected within any existing protected areas are considered to remain search priorities across Scotland’s seas. Features already afforded some protection were reviewed in more detail against Stage 5 of the MPA Selection Guidelines. MPA search features which did not meet all of the Stage 5 guidelines (as bulleted above) are also considered to remain search priorities, either across Scotland’s seas or within particular MPA regions. The Stage 5 guidelines closely reflect the OSPAR principles 6 and so this assessment will also help us to understand our contribution to the OSPAR MPA network.
Although the remaining search priorities have been identified by MPA region, this does not necessarily mean that each MPA search feature needs to be included within an MPA in each MPA region. The agreed approach from the MPA Selection Guidelines is that there will be more than one example of each MPA search feature within the MPA network.
C. Identification of areas which already contribute to the protection of MPA search features and those which could deliver more through enhancing the existing protection
The focus of this stage was identifying those areas which already protect MPA search features and those which could be enhanced to address the remaining priority MPA search features identified in Step B.
In making these assessments a number of factors were taken into account. For example, the boundaries of some protected areas are drawn very closely around Natura habitats and so although other features may be recorded within them, the number of records and / or extent of habitat may be very small.
6 Available through: http://www.ospar.org/content/content.asp?menu=00430109150011_000000_000000
8
There were also occasions when the scale of the protected area was considered to be too small to make a significant contribution to the conservation of the recorded features. This mainly applied to the mobile species (e.g. basking shark and minke whale) but also to a SSSI that represented a very small part of a sea loch. In this case it was felt more appropriate for the assessment against the MPA Selection Guidelines to be carried out over a broader area.
For those existing protected areas where there is considered to be potential to enhance protection, a review of the wider area was also carried out. This considered if there would be a benefit from extending the boundary of a Nature Conservation MPA beyond that of the existing protected area.
D. Review of prioritisation of MPA search features
This stage has not yet been undertaken. It is dependent on agreeing the options for enhancing existing protected areas as well as completing the assessment work on the contribution of other area-based measures and the least damaged/more natural locations.
These options and outcomes will be discussed at the 3rd National Stakeholder Workshop in October 2011. The review will be finalised following this.
9
4.
ASS
ESSM
ENT
OF
MPA
SEA
RC
H F
EATU
RE
PRES
ENC
E A
ND
PR
IOR
ITIS
ATI
ON
OF
REM
AIN
ING
MPA
SEA
RC
H F
EATU
RES
Ann
ex 2
con
tain
s a
list o
f all
the
prot
ecte
d ar
eas
cons
ider
ed w
ithin
this
ana
lysi
s. T
able
s A
(i) a
nd A
(ii) b
elow
pro
vide
det
ail o
n th
e co
ntrib
utio
n th
at
exis
ting
SA
Cs
and
fishe
ries
area
s es
tabl
ishe
d fo
r nat
ure
cons
erva
tion
are
alre
ady
mak
ing
to th
e pr
otec
tion
of M
PA
sea
rch
feat
ures
. Fo
r exa
mpl
e,
with
in th
e B
erw
icks
hire
and
Nor
th N
orth
umbe
rland
Coa
st S
AC
, oce
an q
uaho
g an
d E
urop
ean
spin
y lo
bste
r are
not
nam
ed a
s pa
rt of
the
qual
ifyin
g fe
atur
e bu
t ar
e co
nsid
ered
to
be p
rote
cted
. T
able
B s
how
s th
e le
vel o
f re
pres
enta
tion
of e
ach
MP
A s
earc
h fe
atur
e w
ithin
exi
stin
g S
AC
s an
d fis
herie
s ar
eas
esta
blis
hed
for n
atur
e co
nser
vatio
n.
Tabl
es C
, D a
nd E
sum
mar
ise
the
resu
lts o
f the
ass
essm
ent o
f gap
s an
d pr
iorit
isat
ion
of M
PA
sea
rch
feat
ures
. In
eac
h ta
ble,
feat
ures
are
list
ed in
th
e sa
me
orde
r as
the
orig
inal
MP
A s
earc
h fe
atur
e lis
t in
the
Sco
ttish
MP
A S
elec
tion
Gui
delin
es:
habi
tats
, lo
w o
r lim
ited
mob
ility
spe
cies
and
m
obile
spe
cies
. W
ithin
eac
h ca
tego
ry f
eatu
res
are
then
lis
ted
alph
abet
ical
ly.
The
sec
ond
colu
mn
in T
able
s C
and
D h
ighl
ight
s w
heth
er t
he
asse
ssm
ent
rela
tes
to t
he M
PA
sea
rch
feat
ure
whe
n it
is i
n te
rrito
rial,
offs
hore
wat
ers
or b
oth.
Fo
r so
me
feat
ures
(e.
g. o
cean
qua
hog)
the
pr
iorit
isat
ion
is d
iffer
ent
in o
ffsho
re w
ater
s co
mpa
red
to t
errit
oria
l. T
able
E l
ists
all
the
MP
A s
earc
h fe
atur
es c
onsi
dere
d to
be
prio
ritie
s an
d hi
ghlig
hts
in w
hich
regi
on th
ere
is a
gap
in c
over
age
with
in e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
eas.
The
fina
l col
umn
in T
able
E p
rovi
des
mor
e de
taile
d no
tes
on
the
asse
ssm
ent f
or e
ach
MP
A s
earc
h fe
atur
e in
rela
tion
to th
e ga
ps in
cov
erag
e of
exi
stin
g pr
otec
tion.
Tabl
e A
(i)
Con
tribu
tion
of e
xist
ing
SA
Cs
to th
e M
PA
net
wor
k
Nam
e of
SA
C
Qua
lifyi
ng fe
atur
e of
SA
C
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ure
whi
ch is
pa
rt o
f qua
lifyi
ng fe
atur
e (a
ccor
ding
to A
nnex
1 h
abita
ts a
ccou
nts)
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ures
con
side
red
to b
e pr
otec
ted
by
the
site
(but
not
nam
ed a
s pa
rt of
qua
lifyi
ng fe
atur
e)
Gre
y se
al
O
cean
qua
hog
Inte
rtida
l mud
flats
and
san
dfla
ts
E
urop
ean
spin
y lo
bste
r R
eefs
Se
a ca
ves
Ber
wic
kshi
re a
nd N
orth
N
orth
umbe
rland
Coa
st
Sha
llow
inle
ts a
nd b
ays
Com
mon
sea
l B
lue
mus
sel b
eds
E
stua
ries
Sea
gras
s be
ds
In
terti
dal m
udfla
ts a
nd s
andf
lats
R
eefs
Dor
noch
Firt
h an
d M
orric
h M
ore
Sub
tidal
san
dban
ks
Com
mon
sea
l B
lue
mus
sel b
eds
Oce
an q
uaho
g E
stua
ries
Sea
gras
s be
ds
In
terti
dal m
udfla
ts a
nd s
andf
lats
S
ande
els
Firth
of T
ay a
nd E
den
Est
uary
Sub
tidal
san
dban
ks
10
Nam
e of
SA
C
Qua
lifyi
ng fe
atur
e of
SA
C
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ure
whi
ch is
pa
rt o
f qua
lifyi
ng fe
atur
e (a
ccor
ding
to A
nnex
1 h
abita
ts a
ccou
nts)
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ures
con
side
red
to b
e pr
otec
ted
by
the
site
(but
not
nam
ed a
s pa
rt of
qua
lifyi
ng fe
atur
e)
Gre
y se
al
Isle
of M
ay
Ree
fs
Bot
tleno
se d
olph
in
Sea
gras
s be
ds
Blu
e m
usse
l bed
s S
ubtid
al s
andb
anks
S
ande
els
Hor
se m
usse
l bed
s K
elp
and
seaw
eed
com
mun
ities
on
subl
ittor
al s
edim
ent
Mor
ay F
irth
Oce
an q
uaho
g Fa
ray
and
Hol
m o
f Far
ay
Gre
y se
al
Loch
of S
tenn
ess
Sal
ine
lago
ons
Sea
gras
s be
ds
C
omm
on s
eal
Ree
fs
Mou
sa
Sea
cave
s
R
eefs
P
apa
Sto
ur
Sea
cave
s
C
omm
on s
eal
Sea
gras
s be
ds
Kel
p an
d se
awee
d co
mm
uniti
es o
n su
blitt
oral
sed
imen
t In
terti
dal m
udfla
ts a
nd s
andf
lats
H
orse
mus
sel b
eds
Low
or v
aria
ble
salin
ity h
abita
ts
Ree
fs
San
deel
s Ti
de-s
wep
t alg
al c
omm
uniti
es
San
day
Sub
tidal
san
dban
ks
Sal
ine
lago
ons
Blu
e m
usse
l bed
s K
elp
and
seaw
eed
com
mun
ities
on
subl
ittor
al s
edim
ent
Ree
fs
Hor
se m
usse
l bed
s Ti
de-s
wep
t alg
al c
omm
uniti
es
Sul
lom
Voe
Sha
llow
inle
ts a
nd b
ays
Bur
row
ed m
ud
Oce
an q
uaho
g S
eagr
ass
beds
K
elp
and
seaw
eed
com
mun
ities
on
subl
ittor
al s
edim
ent
M
aerl
beds
Th
e V
adills
S
alin
e la
goon
s
Ti
de-s
wep
t alg
al c
omm
uniti
es
Yel
l Sou
nd C
oast
C
omm
on s
eal
Asc
rib, I
say
and
Dun
vega
n C
omm
on s
eal
Eile
anan
agu
s S
geira
n Li
os m
or
Com
mon
sea
l
Nor
ther
n se
a fa
n an
d sp
onge
com
mun
ities
Tide
-sw
ept a
lgal
com
mun
ities
Eur
opea
n sp
iny
lobs
ter
Firth
of L
orn
Ree
fs
S
helf
deep
s Lo
ch C
rera
n R
eefs
H
orse
mus
sel b
eds
Low
or v
aria
ble
salin
ity h
abita
ts
11
Nam
e of
SA
C
Qua
lifyi
ng fe
atur
e of
SA
C
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ure
whi
ch is
pa
rt o
f qua
lifyi
ng fe
atur
e (a
ccor
ding
to A
nnex
1 h
abita
ts a
ccou
nts)
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ures
con
side
red
to b
e pr
otec
ted
by
the
site
(but
not
nam
ed a
s pa
rt of
qua
lifyi
ng fe
atur
e)
Ree
fs
Blu
e m
usse
l bed
s In
shor
e de
ep m
ud w
ith b
urro
win
g he
art u
rchi
ns
Sha
llow
inle
ts a
nd b
ays
Hor
se m
usse
l bed
s K
elp
and
seaw
eed
com
mun
ities
on
subl
ittor
al s
edim
ent
M
aerl
beds
Lo
w o
r var
iabl
e sa
linity
hab
itats
S
ea lo
ch e
gg w
rack
bed
s
Bur
row
ed m
ud
Mae
rl or
coa
rse
shel
l gra
vel w
ith b
urro
win
g se
a cu
cum
bers
Ti
de-s
wep
t alg
al c
omm
uniti
es
Nor
ther
n fe
athe
r sta
r com
mun
ities
on
mix
ed s
ubst
rata
O
cean
qua
hog
Loch
Lax
ford
Eur
opea
n sp
iny
lobs
ter
Loch
Moi
dart
and
Loch
Shi
el
Woo
ds
Inte
rtida
l mud
flats
and
san
dfla
ts
S
ea lo
ch e
gg w
rack
bed
s
Loch
Roa
g La
goon
s S
alin
e la
goon
s S
eagr
ass
beds
Ti
de-s
wep
t alg
al c
omm
uniti
es
Hor
se m
usse
l bed
s Lo
w o
r var
iabl
e sa
linity
hab
itats
Lo
chs
Dui
ch, L
ong
and
Als
h R
eef
Ree
fs
Ti
de-s
wep
t alg
al c
omm
uniti
es
Inte
rtida
l mud
flats
and
san
dfla
ts
Bur
row
ed m
ud
Kel
p an
d se
awee
d co
mm
uniti
es o
n su
blitt
oral
sed
imen
t S
alin
e la
goon
s M
aerl
beds
R
eefs
S
eagr
ass
beds
M
aerl
or c
oars
e sh
ell g
rave
l with
bur
row
ing
sea
cucu
mbe
rs
Sha
llow
inle
ts a
nd b
ays
Low
or v
aria
ble
salin
ity h
abita
ts
Nor
ther
n se
a fa
n an
d sp
onge
com
mun
ities
Loch
nam
Mad
adh
Sub
tidal
san
dban
ks
Ti
de-s
wep
t alg
al c
omm
uniti
es
Moi
ne M
hor
Inte
rtida
l mud
flats
and
san
dfla
ts
Sea
gras
s be
ds
M
onac
h Is
land
s G
rey
seal
G
rey
seal
R
eefs
N
orth
Ron
a
Sea
cave
s
S
eagr
ass
beds
Oba
in L
och
Eup
hoirt
S
alin
e la
goon
s Lo
w o
r var
iabl
e sa
linity
hab
itats
Mae
rl be
ds
Kel
p an
d se
awee
d co
mm
uniti
es o
n su
blitt
oral
sed
imen
t S
eagr
ass
beds
M
aerl
or c
oars
e sh
ell g
rave
l with
bur
row
ing
sea
cucu
mbe
rs
Sou
nd o
f Aris
aig
(Loc
h A
ilort
to
Loch
Cea
nn T
raig
h)
Sub
tidal
san
dban
ks
O
cean
qua
hog
Sou
th-E
ast I
slay
Ske
rrie
s C
omm
on s
eal
Sou
th U
ist M
acha
ir S
alin
e la
goon
s
12
Nam
e of
SA
C
Qua
lifyi
ng fe
atur
e of
SA
C
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ure
whi
ch is
pa
rt o
f qua
lifyi
ng fe
atur
e (a
ccor
ding
to A
nnex
1 h
abita
ts a
ccou
nts)
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ures
con
side
red
to b
e pr
otec
ted
by
the
site
(but
not
nam
ed a
s pa
rt of
qua
lifyi
ng fe
atur
e)
Ree
fs
N
orth
ern
sea
fan
and
spon
ge c
omm
uniti
es
St K
ilda
Sea
cav
es
E
urop
ean
spin
y lo
bste
r H
orse
mus
sel b
eds
Low
or v
aria
ble
salin
ity h
abita
ts
N
orth
ern
sea
fan
and
spon
ge c
omm
uniti
es
Ti
de-s
wep
t alg
al c
omm
uniti
es
Sun
art
Ree
fs
E
urop
ean
spin
y lo
bste
r G
rey
seal
Tide
-sw
ept a
lgal
com
mun
ities
Tr
eshn
ish
Isle
s R
eefs
In
terti
dal m
udfla
ts a
nd s
andf
lats
B
lue
mus
sel b
eds
Kel
p an
d se
awee
d co
mm
uniti
es o
n su
blitt
oral
sed
imen
t R
eefs
Tide
-sw
ept a
lgal
com
mun
ities
S
hallo
w in
lets
and
bay
s
Oce
an q
uaho
g
Luce
Bay
and
San
ds
Sub
tidal
san
dban
ks
Est
uarie
s B
lue
mus
sel b
eds
In
terti
dal m
udfla
ts a
nd s
andf
lats
S
ande
els
R
eefs
Sol
way
Firt
h
Sub
tidal
san
dban
ks
Dar
win
Mou
nds
Ree
fs
Sta
nton
Ban
ks
Ree
fs
Nor
ther
n fe
athe
r sta
r ag
greg
atio
ns o
n m
ixed
sub
stra
ta
(pen
ding
cur
rent
revi
ew o
f re
cord
s)
Bra
emar
Poc
kmar
k S
ubm
arin
e st
ruct
ures
mad
e by
le
akin
g ga
ses
Sca
nner
Poc
kmar
k S
ubm
arin
e st
ruct
ures
mad
e by
le
akin
g ga
ses
Wyv
ille
Tom
son
Rid
ge
Ree
fs
Nor
th W
est R
ocka
ll B
ank
Ree
fs
13
Table A(ii) Contribution of existing fisheries areas established for nature conservation to the MPA network
Fisheries areas established for nature conservation (inc. to protect Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems7)
MPA search features considered to be protected by the fisheries area
Hatton Bank Burrowed mud Carbonate mound communities Coral gardens (suspected) Offshore deep-sea muds Offshore subtidal sands and gravels
Darwin Mounds Offshore deep sea muds Offshore subtidal sands and gravels
West Rockall Mound Offshore deep sea muds North West Rockall Offshore subtidal sands and gravels Lamlash Bay Fan mussel aggregations
Kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment Maerl beds
East Coast Scotland sandeel closure Sandeels
Table B Representation of MPA search features within existing SACs and fisheries areas established for nature conservation
MPA search feature SACs and fisheries areas established for nature conservation that are contributing to the protection of MPA search feature
Habitats Blue mussel beds Dornoch Firth and Morrich More, Firth of Tay and Eden Estuary,
Moray Firth, Sullom Voe, Loch Laxford, Luce Bay and Sands, Solway Firth
Burrowed mud Sullom Voe, Loch Laxford, Loch nam Madadh, Hatton Bank Carbonate mound communities Hatton Bank Coral gardens Hatton Bank (suspected) Deep sea sponge aggregations Flame shell beds Horse mussel beds Moray Firth, Sanday, Sullom Voe, Loch Creran, Loch Laxford,
Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh Reefs, Sunart Inshore deep mud with burrowing heart urchins
Loch Laxford
Kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment
Moray Firth, Sanday, Sullom Voe, The Vadills, Loch Laxford, Loch nam Madadh, Sound of Arisaig (Loch Ailort to Loch Ceann Traigh), Luce Bay and Sands, Lamlash Bay
Low or variable salinity habitats Sanday, Loch Creran, Loch Laxford, Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh Reefs, Loch nam Madadh, Obain Loch Euphoirt, Sunart
Maerl beds The Vadills, Loch Laxford, Loch nam Madadh, Sound of Arisaig (Loch Ailort to Loch Ceann Traigh), Lamlash Bay
Maerl or coarse shell gravel with burrowing sea cucumbers
Loch Laxford, Loch nam Madadh, Sound of Arisaig (Loch Ailort to Loch Ceann Traigh)
Native oysters Northern sea fan and sponge communities
Firth of Lorn, Loch nam Madadh, St Kilda, Sunart
7 These areas are set up to protect vulnerable deep sea habitats (deep water corals and deep sea sponges).
According to EC Regulation 40 2008 it is prohibited to conduct bottom trawling and fishing with static gear, including bottom set gill-nets and long-lines, within these areas
14
MPA search feature SACs and fisheries areas established for nature conservation that are contributing to the protection of MPA search feature
Offshore deep sea muds Hatton Bank, Darwin Mounds, West Rockall Mound Offshore subtidal sands and gravels
Hatton Bank, Darwin Mounds, North West Rockall
Seagrass beds Dornoch Firth and Morrich More, Firth of Tay and Eden Estuary, Moray Firth, Loch of Stenness, Sanday, The Vadills, Loch Roag Lagoons, Loch nam Madadh, Moine Mhor, Obain Loch Euphoirt, Sound of Arisaig (Loch Ailort to Loch Ceann Traigh)
Sea loch egg wrack beds Loch Laxford, Loch Moidart and Loch Shiel Woods Seamount communities Shallow tide-swept coarse sands with burrowing bivalves
Tide-swept algal communities Sanday, Sullom Voe, The Vadills, Firth of Lorn, Loch Laxford, Loch Roag Lagoons, Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh Reefs, Loch nam Madadh, Sunart, Treshnish Isles, Luce Bay and Sands
Low or limited mobility species Burrowing sea anemone aggregations
Northern feather star communities on mixed substrata
Loch Laxford, Stanton Banks
Fan mussel aggregations Lamlash Bay Heart cockle aggregations Ocean quahog aggregations Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast, Firth of Tay and
Eden Estuary, Moray Firth, Sullom Voe, Loch Laxford, Sound of Arisaig (Loch Ailort to Loch Ceann Traigh), Luce Bay and Sands
Mobile species European spiny lobster Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast, Firth of Lorn,
Loch Laxford, St Kilda, Sunart Blue ling Orange roughy Sandeels Firth of Tay and Eden Estuary, Loch nam Madadh, Moray Firth,
Sanday, Solway Firth, Sound of Arisaig (Loch Ailort to Loch Ceann Traigh), East Coast Scotland sandeel closure8
Basking shark Common skate Minke whale Risso’s dolphin White-beaked dolphin Black guillemot Large-scale features Continental slope Fronts Seamounts Shelf banks and mounds Shelf deeps Firth of Lorn
8 Sandeels are considered well represented within the East MPA region through the East Coast of Scotland
sandeel closure. Although sandeels are also recorded within several SACs, this is based on individual records of sandeel presence, rather than known areas of high concentration. Until further analyses of the level of contribution provided by these SACs is completed, sandeels are not considered well represented in any region.
15
Table C MPA search features already well represented within existing protected areas
MPA search feature Scottish marine area Blue mussel beds Territorial Carbonate mound communities Offshore Kelp and seaweed communities on sublittoral sediment Territorial Maerl or coarse shell gravel with burrowing sea cucumbers Territorial Northern sea fan and sponge communities Territorial Seagrass beds Territorial Sea loch egg wrack beds Territorial Tide-swept algal communities Territorial
Table D MPA search features which are not well represented within existing protected areas but which are not being considered as drivers for developing the MPA network
Following further review of the available data for these species, they were considered not to be useful drivers for developing the MPA network. They may still be considered at Stage 5 to determine whether they could add to the broader representivity of the network.
MPA search feature Scottish marine area Burrowing sea anemone aggregations Territorial European spiny lobster Territorial Fan mussel aggregations Offshore Heart cockle aggregations Territorial Ocean quahog Territorial
16
Tabl
e E
M
PA
sea
rch
feat
ures
con
side
red
to re
mai
n se
arch
prio
ritie
s
This
tabl
e hi
ghlig
hts
thos
e M
PA
sea
rch
feat
ures
whi
ch a
re c
onsi
dere
d to
rem
ain
sear
ch p
riorit
ies.
The
fina
l col
umn
in th
e ta
ble
prov
ides
det
ail o
n ho
w t
his
asse
ssm
ent
was
app
lied
to e
ach
MP
A s
earc
h fe
atur
e.
It sh
ould
be
note
d th
at f
or h
abita
ts a
nd lo
w o
r lim
ited
mob
ility
spe
cies
, M
PA
sear
ch fe
atur
es a
re o
nly
liste
d w
here
ther
e ar
e m
ore
than
one
or t
wo
reco
rds
with
in th
at M
PA
regi
on a
nd w
here
we
have
con
fiden
ce in
the
data
. Fo
r m
obile
spe
cies
, a s
light
ly d
iffer
ent a
ppro
ach
was
take
n w
hich
took
into
acc
ount
are
as c
onsi
dere
d to
be
impo
rtant
to k
ey li
fe s
tage
s w
here
th
ese
wer
e kn
own
and
also
ref
lect
ed is
sues
to d
o w
ith s
cale
and
via
bilit
y.
Ther
efor
e m
obile
spe
cies
are
not
sim
ply
liste
d as
prio
ritie
s w
here
ver
they
hav
e be
en s
ight
ed.
MP
A s
earc
h fe
atur
es h
ighl
ight
ed in
bol
d ar
e co
nsid
ered
to b
e pr
iorit
ies
whe
reve
r the
y ar
e re
cord
ed.
Alth
ough
the
rem
aini
ng s
earc
h pr
iorit
ies
have
bee
n id
entif
ied
by M
PA
regi
on th
is d
oes
not n
eces
saril
y m
ean
that
eac
h M
PA
sea
rch
feat
ure
need
s to
be
incl
uded
with
in a
n M
PA
in e
ach
MP
A re
gion
. Th
e ag
reed
app
roac
h fro
m th
e M
PA
Sel
ectio
n G
uide
lines
is th
at th
ere
will
be
mor
e th
an o
ne
exam
ple
of e
ach
MP
A s
earc
h fe
atur
e w
ithin
the
MP
A n
etw
ork.
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ure
(app
licab
le m
arin
e ar
ea)
SW
regi
on
Wes
t re
gion
Fa
r-w
est
regi
on
Nor
th
regi
on
East
re
gion
C
omm
ents
Hab
itats
B
urro
wed
mud
(bot
h)
R
ecor
ded
in a
ll M
PA
regi
ons.
Clo
se to
the
coas
t, P
achy
ceria
nthu
s m
ultip
licat
us, F
unic
ulin
a qu
adra
ngul
aris
and
the
Meg
Max
bio
tope
are
st
ill co
nsid
ered
a s
earc
h pr
iorit
y. A
way
from
the
coas
t, al
l com
pone
nt
biot
opes
of t
his
sear
ch fe
atur
e re
mai
n a
sear
ch p
riorit
y. O
nly
one
exam
ple
of b
urro
wed
mud
aw
ay fr
om th
e co
ast i
s co
nsid
ered
ad
equa
tely
pro
tect
ed.
Gap
in S
outh
Wes
t, W
est a
nd E
ast M
PA
re
gion
s, h
owev
er g
iven
the
prop
ortio
n of
bur
row
ed m
ud in
the
Eas
t re
gion
offs
hore
it is
of g
reat
est i
mpo
rtanc
e he
re.
Cor
al g
arde
ns (o
ff.)
R
ecor
ded
only
in F
ar W
est M
PA
regi
on w
here
it re
mai
ns a
prio
rity
whi
lst n
otin
g th
e th
at s
uspe
cted
reco
rds
do fa
ll w
ithin
the
Hat
ton
Ban
k Fi
sher
ies
Area
. D
eep
sea
spon
ge
aggr
egat
ions
(off.
)
Con
firm
ed re
cord
s in
the
Nor
th M
PA
regi
on o
nly.
The
re a
re a
lso
susp
ecte
d re
cord
s in
the
Far W
est M
PA
regi
on.
Con
side
red
to h
ave
no e
xist
ing
prot
ectio
n, th
is fe
atur
e re
mai
ns a
sea
rch
prio
rity
in b
oth
appl
icab
le M
PA
regi
ons.
Fl
ame
shel
l bed
s (te
rr.)
M
ain
dist
ribut
ion
in W
est M
PA
regi
on b
ut s
till c
onsi
dere
d a
sear
ch
prio
rity
whe
reve
r it i
s oc
curs
, bec
ause
it is
not
cur
rent
ly p
rote
cted
w
ithin
exi
stin
g ar
eas.
How
ever
, as
only
1 re
cord
exi
sts
outs
ide
the
Wes
t MP
A re
gion
(in
the
Sout
h W
est)
this
has
not
bee
n lis
ted.
H
orse
mus
sel b
eds
(terr
.)
Rec
orde
d in
all
MP
A re
gion
s an
d in
clud
ed w
ithin
som
e ex
istin
g pr
otec
ted
area
s. B
est k
now
n ex
ampl
es o
f hor
se m
usse
l bed
s in
Nor
th
and
Eas
t MPA
regi
ons
are
not w
ithin
exi
stin
g pr
otec
ted
area
s.
17
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ure
(app
licab
le m
arin
e ar
ea)
SW
regi
on
Wes
t re
gion
Fa
r-w
est
regi
on
Nor
th
regi
on
East
re
gion
C
omm
ents
Insh
ore
deep
mud
with
bu
rrow
ing
hear
t urc
hins
(te
rr.)
M
ain
dist
ribut
ion
in W
est M
PA
regi
on a
nd o
nly
prot
ecte
d in
one
ex
istin
g pr
otec
ted
area
. O
nly
1 re
cord
out
side
Wes
t MP
A re
gion
(S
outh
Wes
t).
Low
or v
aria
ble
salin
ity
habi
tats
(ter
r.)
R
ecor
ded
in th
e S
outh
Wes
t, W
est a
nd N
orth
MP
A re
gion
s. W
ell
repr
esen
ted
with
in e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
eas
in th
e W
est b
ut n
ot in
the
Sou
th W
est a
nd N
orth
MP
A re
gion
s.
Mae
rl be
ds (t
err.)
Rec
orde
d in
the
Sou
th W
est,
Wes
t and
Nor
th M
PA
regi
ons
and
incl
uded
with
in s
ome
exis
ting
prot
ecte
d ar
eas.
Stil
l con
side
red
a se
arch
prio
rity
in th
e N
orth
MP
A re
gion
. N
ativ
e oy
ster
s (te
rr.)
M
ain
dist
ribut
ion
in th
e W
est a
nd S
outh
Wes
t MP
A re
gion
s bu
t not
w
ithin
exi
stin
g pr
otec
ted
area
s. H
owev
er, a
s on
ly 2
oth
er re
cord
s ex
ist o
utsi
de th
e W
est a
nd S
outh
Wes
t MP
A re
gion
s (N
orth
), th
ese
have
not
bee
n lis
ted.
N
orth
ern
sea
fan
and
spon
ge c
omm
uniti
es (o
ff.)
R
ecor
ded
in W
est a
nd N
orth
MP
A re
gion
s bu
t not
with
in e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
eas
in o
ffsho
re w
ater
s. H
owev
er th
is fe
atur
e is
like
ly to
be
affo
rded
pro
tect
ion
in th
e fu
ture
if th
e P
obie
Ban
k R
eef b
ecom
es
desi
gnat
ed a
s an
SA
C.
Offs
hore
dee
p se
a m
uds
(off.
)
Rec
orde
d in
all
offs
hore
regi
ons
apar
t fro
m th
e W
est (
pred
omin
antly
in
the
Far W
est a
nd N
orth
MP
A re
gion
s).
Bey
ond
the
cont
inen
tal s
helf
exam
ples
of A
tlant
ic in
fluen
ced
deep
sea
mud
s ar
e co
nsid
ered
to b
e pr
otec
ted
by D
arw
in M
ound
s fis
herie
s ar
ea a
nd th
e W
est R
ocka
ll m
ound
fish
erie
s ar
ea.
How
ever
, Arc
tic in
fluen
ced
deep
sea
mud
s in
th
e no
rth re
gion
incl
udin
g th
ose
of th
e sh
elf a
nd s
lope
, and
the
deep
er
Atla
ntic
influ
ence
d m
uds
are
not c
onsi
dere
d to
be
affo
rded
ade
quat
e pr
otec
tion.
O
ffsho
re s
ubtid
al s
ands
an
d gr
avel
s (o
ff.)
R
ecor
ded
in a
ll of
fsho
re re
gion
s. A
tlant
ic in
fluen
ced
subt
idal
san
ds
and
grav
els
beyo
nd th
e co
ntin
enta
l she
lf in
the
Far W
est r
egio
n ar
e co
nsid
ered
ade
quat
ely
prot
ecte
d; h
owev
er s
lope
reco
rds
are
not
with
in e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
eas.
Arc
tic in
fluen
ced
subt
idal
san
ds a
nd
grav
els
in th
e N
orth
MP
A re
gion
(Far
oe-S
hetla
nd C
hann
el) a
nd s
helf
biot
opes
in th
e E
ast a
nd W
est M
PA
regi
ons
are
not c
onsi
dere
d ad
equa
tely
pre
sent
with
in e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
eas.
Se
amou
nt c
omm
uniti
es
(off.
)
Rec
orde
d on
ly in
Far
Wes
t MP
A re
gion
out
with
exi
stin
g pr
otec
ted
area
s.
18
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ure
(app
licab
le m
arin
e ar
ea)
SW
regi
on
Wes
t re
gion
Fa
r-w
est
regi
on
Nor
th
regi
on
East
re
gion
C
omm
ents
Shal
low
tide
-sw
ept c
oars
e sa
nds
with
bur
row
ing
biva
lves
(ter
r.)
M
ain
dist
ribut
ion
in W
est M
PA
regi
on o
utw
ith e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
eas.
Th
ere
are
unce
rtain
reco
rds
in th
e N
orth
MP
A re
gion
.
Low
or l
imite
d m
obili
ty
spec
ies
Fan
mus
sel a
ggre
gatio
ns
(terr.
)
Mai
n di
strib
utio
n in
Wes
t MP
A re
gion
out
with
exi
stin
g pr
otec
ted
area
s.
All
othe
r rec
ords
(exc
ept o
ne re
cent
reco
rd o
f a s
ingl
e fa
n m
usse
l in
the
Nor
th) a
re c
onsi
dere
d to
be
hist
oric
, par
ticul
arly
offs
hore
. N
orth
ern
feat
her s
tar
com
mun
ities
on
mix
ed
subs
trata
(bot
h)
R
ecor
ded
in W
est M
PA
regi
on o
utw
ith e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
eas.
Oce
an q
uaho
g (o
ff.)
P
redo
min
antly
reco
rded
in th
e N
orth
and
Eas
t MP
A re
gion
s, w
ith o
nly
a fe
w re
cord
s in
the
Wes
t MP
A re
gion
but
out
with
exi
stin
g pr
otec
ted
area
s.
Mob
ile s
peci
es
Bas
king
sha
rk (t
err.)
Mai
n di
strib
utio
n in
Sou
th W
est a
nd W
est M
PA
regi
ons
alth
ough
si
ghtin
gs h
ave
been
reco
rded
in a
ll M
PA re
gion
s bu
t cur
rent
ly
prot
ecte
d w
ithin
exi
stin
g pr
otec
ted
area
s.
Com
mon
ska
te (t
err.)
Mai
n di
strib
utio
n in
Wes
t MP
A re
gion
with
onl
y tw
o re
cord
s re
cord
ed
else
whe
re (N
orth
and
Sou
th W
est).
M
inke
wha
le (t
err.)
Mai
n di
strib
utio
n in
the
Wes
t and
Eas
t MP
A re
gion
s al
thou
gh h
as
been
reco
rded
in a
ll M
PA
regi
ons.
B
lue
ling
(off.
)
Rec
orde
d in
the
Far W
est M
PA
regi
on o
utw
ith a
ny e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
eas.
O
rang
e ro
ughy
(off.
)
Rec
orde
d on
ly in
Far
Wes
t MP
A re
gion
but
dat
a m
ight
not
be
suffi
cien
t. O
rang
e ro
ughy
rem
ains
a p
riorit
y du
e to
its
thre
aten
ed
and/
or d
eclin
ing
stat
us.
Ris
so’s
dol
phin
(ter
r.)
M
ain
dist
ribut
ion
in th
e W
est M
PA
regi
on a
lthou
gh h
as b
een
reco
rded
in
all
MP
A re
gion
s.
San
deel
s (b
oth)
Rec
orde
d in
Wes
t, N
orth
, Eas
t and
Sou
th W
est M
PA
regi
ons
but
effe
ctiv
ely
prot
ecte
d th
roug
h th
e E
ast C
oast
Sco
tland
clo
sure
. C
oast
al s
ande
el p
opul
atio
ns in
the
Wes
t and
Nor
th M
PA
regi
ons
are
smal
ler a
nd m
ore
isol
ated
and
hav
e lim
ited
exis
ting
prot
ectio
n.
Whi
te-b
eake
d do
lphi
n (te
rr.)
M
ain
dist
ribut
ion
in th
e W
est,
Nor
th a
nd E
ast M
PA
regi
ons
alth
ough
ha
s be
en re
cord
ed in
all
MP
A re
gion
s.
19
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ure
(app
licab
le m
arin
e ar
ea)
SW
regi
on
Wes
t re
gion
Fa
r-w
est
regi
on
Nor
th
regi
on
East
re
gion
C
omm
ents
Bla
ck g
uille
mot
(ter
r.)
R
ecor
ded
in W
est,
Nor
th, E
ast a
nd S
outh
Wes
t MP
A re
gion
s.
Col
onie
s ar
e pr
otec
ted
with
in th
ree
SSS
Is (N
orth
and
Wes
t MP
A
regi
ons)
; no
fora
ging
are
as a
re c
onsi
dere
d to
be
prot
ecte
d w
ithin
the
exis
ting
netw
ork.
La
rge-
scal
e fe
atur
es
Con
tinen
tal s
lope
(off.
)
Occ
urs
in th
e N
orth
and
Far
Wes
t MP
A re
gion
s ou
twith
exi
stin
g pr
otec
ted
area
s.
Seam
ount
s (o
ff.)
R
ecor
ded
only
in F
ar W
est M
PA
regi
on o
utw
ith e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
eas.
Fr
onts
(tbc
)
To b
e co
nfirm
ed. F
urth
er w
ork
is u
nder
way
to d
efin
e th
e fro
nts
larg
e-sc
ale
feat
ure.
Unt
il th
is h
as b
een
com
plet
ed, f
ront
s re
mai
n a
sear
ch
prio
rity.
Sh
elf b
anks
and
mou
nds
(bot
h)
O
ccur
s in
the
Wes
t, N
orth
and
Eas
t MPA
regi
ons
outw
ith e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
eas.
Rec
ords
in th
e W
est r
egio
n in
insh
ore
wat
ers
only
. Sh
elf d
eeps
(bot
h)
O
ccur
s in
the
Sou
th W
est,
Wes
t, N
orth
and
Eas
t MP
A re
gion
s. O
nly
the
Cor
ryvr
ecka
n, in
the
Wes
t MP
A re
gion
, is
situ
ated
with
in a
n ex
istin
g pr
otec
ted
area
.
20
5. ASSESSMENT OF OPTIONS FOR ENHANCING EXISTING PROTECTED AREAS
The options for enhancing existing protected areas with Nature Conservation MPAs are presented in Table F. This table provides detail on the MPA search features present within each area, and whether they are considered to be protected through the existing designations, or would benefit from enhancement. The table also considers the wider area within which each existing protected area is located and highlights whether the existing area or an amended one (either larger or smaller) would be most appropriate in terms of addressing remaining search priorities and contributing to the development of the MPA network.
Details of those areas which overlap with MPA search features, but which are considered unlikely to make a significant contribution to the conservation of the MPA search features recorded within them are provided in Table G.
These tables do not take into account the full options for enhancing existing protected areas for black guillemot or large-scale features, which will be presented in separate analyses. In addition, further assessment of the sandeel data is underway to take into account the locations of coastal fishing grounds, which may change some of the recommendations provided in relation to this search feature.
This assessment has been based on the presence of MPA search features. Further work is required to assess the quality including extent of these features within existing protected areas. This is because the focus of monitoring and assessment to date has been on the designated features of protected areas and not on MPA search features.
21
Tabl
e F
Occ
urre
nce
of M
PA
sea
rch
feat
ures
with
in a
nd a
djac
ent t
o ex
istin
g pr
otec
ted
area
s an
d pr
efer
red
optio
ns fo
r th
eir
cont
ribut
ion
to th
e ne
twor
k
Sea
rch
feat
ures
list
ed in
bol
d ha
ve b
een
iden
tifie
d as
a re
mai
ning
sea
rch
prio
rity
in th
at re
gion
. *
Sha
ding
indi
cate
s th
at th
e cu
rren
t bou
ndar
y of
the
SA
C a
nd a
ll th
e fe
atur
es w
ithin
it a
re th
e pr
efer
red
optio
n fo
r co
nsid
erat
ion
of it
s co
ntrib
utio
n to
the
MP
A
netw
ork.
**
Sha
ding
indi
cate
s th
at th
e am
ende
d ar
ea a
s de
scrib
ed in
this
col
umn
and
the
‘Com
men
ts’ c
olum
n is
the
pref
erre
d bo
unda
ry o
ptio
n fo
r fur
ther
con
side
ratio
n.
# P
rote
cted
are
a ov
erla
ps w
ith a
leas
t dam
aged
/mor
e na
tura
l loc
atio
n.
§ Th
ese
two
colo
ny e
xten
sion
s ar
e ad
jace
nt a
nd s
o sh
ould
pro
babl
y be
con
side
red
as o
ne a
rea.
Ex
istin
g pr
otec
ted
area
Type
M
PA s
earc
h fe
atur
es
cons
ider
ed to
be
prot
ecte
d*
Oth
er M
PA s
earc
h fe
atur
es
with
in e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
ea*
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ures
in th
e po
ssib
le a
men
ded
area
**
Com
men
ts
Loch
Cre
ran
SA
C
Hor
se m
usse
l bed
s Lo
w o
r var
iabl
e sa
linity
ha
bita
ts
Kel
p an
d se
awee
d co
mm
uniti
es o
n su
blitt
oral
sed
imen
t B
lue
mus
sel b
eds
Bur
row
ed m
ud
Nat
ive
oyst
ers
Sea
gras
s be
ds
Oce
an q
uaho
g Fl
ame
shel
l bed
s
Ther
e ar
e re
cord
s of
tide
-sw
ept a
lgae
ou
tsid
e of
the
site
bou
ndar
y ou
tsid
e th
e m
outh
of l
och
Site
is c
urre
ntly
a d
iscr
ete
loch
Loch
Sun
art
SA
C
Hor
se m
usse
l bed
s Lo
w o
r var
iabl
e sa
linity
ha
bita
ts
Nor
ther
n se
a fa
n an
d sp
onge
com
mun
ities
Ti
de-s
wep
t alg
al
com
mun
ities
E
urop
ean
spin
y lo
bste
r
Sea
loch
egg
wra
ck b
eds
Nor
ther
n fe
athe
r sta
r ag
greg
atio
ns o
n m
ixed
sub
stra
ta
Blu
e m
usse
l bed
s K
elp
and
seaw
eed
com
mun
ities
on
subl
ittor
al s
edim
ent
Mae
rl be
ds
Nat
ive
oyst
ers
Sea
gras
s be
ds
Bur
row
ed m
ud
Flam
e sh
ell b
eds
Oce
an q
uaho
g B
aski
ng s
hark
C
omm
on s
kate
M
inke
wha
le
Shel
f dee
ps
The
site
is a
djac
ent t
o th
e m
inke
w
hale
bro
ad s
earc
h ar
ea a
nd th
ere
are
smal
l are
as o
f she
lf de
eps
just
ou
tsid
e th
e si
te. R
ecor
ds o
utsi
de th
e si
te in
clud
e lo
ts o
f bas
king
sha
rk
and
com
mon
ska
te, a
long
with
so
me
reco
rds
of b
urro
wed
mud
, no
rthe
rn fe
athe
r sta
r com
mun
ities
on
mix
ed s
ubst
rata
, fan
mus
sel
(thou
gh re
cord
ver
y ol
d), n
ativ
e oy
ster
s, s
ea lo
ch e
gg w
rack
, no
rther
n se
a fa
n an
d sp
onge
co
mm
uniti
es, o
cean
qua
hog,
mae
rl or
coa
rse
shel
l gra
vel w
ith b
urro
win
g se
a cu
cum
bers
, sea
gras
s be
ds, a
nd
kelp
and
sea
wee
d co
mm
uniti
es o
n su
blitt
oral
sed
imen
ts.
The
site
wou
ld n
eed
to b
e si
gnifi
cant
ly la
rger
to b
e ap
prop
riate
in te
rms
of
enab
ling
an M
PA
to m
ake
a co
ntrib
utio
n to
the
cons
erva
tion
of b
aski
ng
shar
k or
min
ke w
hale
. R
esul
ts o
f top
e an
d sp
urdo
g ta
ggin
g sh
ould
al
so b
e co
nsid
ered
for t
his
site
whe
n av
aila
ble.
22
Exis
ting
prot
ecte
d ar
ea
Type
M
PA s
earc
h fe
atur
es
cons
ider
ed to
be
prot
ecte
d*
Oth
er M
PA s
earc
h fe
atur
es
with
in e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
ea*
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ures
in th
e po
ssib
le a
men
ded
area
**
Com
men
ts
Loch
s D
uich
, Lo
ng a
nd
Alsh
#
SA
C
Hor
se m
usse
l bed
s Lo
w o
r var
iabl
e sa
linity
ha
bita
ts
Tide
-sw
ept a
lgal
co
mm
uniti
es
Sea
loch
egg
wra
ck b
eds
Kel
p an
d se
awee
d co
mm
uniti
es o
n su
blitt
oral
sed
imen
t N
orth
ern
feat
her s
tar
aggr
egat
ions
on
mix
ed s
ubst
rata
In
shor
e de
ep m
ud w
ith b
urro
win
g he
art u
rchi
ns
Bur
row
ed m
ud
Mae
rl be
ds
Flam
e sh
ell b
eds
Blu
e m
usse
l bed
s O
cean
qua
hog
Bas
king
sha
rk
Shel
f dee
ps
With
in th
e lo
ch s
yste
m b
ut o
utsi
de
the
site
bou
ndar
y ar
e sm
all a
reas
of
shel
f dee
ps a
long
with
reco
rds
of
burr
owed
mud
, sea
loch
egg
wra
ck
beds
, blu
e m
usse
l bed
s, in
shor
e de
ep m
ud w
ith b
urro
win
g he
art
urch
ins,
oce
an q
uaho
g an
d no
rthe
rn fe
athe
r sta
r com
mun
ities
on
mix
ed s
ubst
rata
. Add
ition
ally
, ju
st o
utsi
de th
e bo
unda
ry o
f the
site
an
d ou
tsid
e of
Loc
h A
lsh
are
reco
rds
of h
orse
mus
sel b
eds,
mae
rl be
ds
and
kelp
and
sea
wee
d co
mm
uniti
es
on s
ublit
tora
l sed
imen
t and
out
side
th
e si
te in
Kyl
e R
hea
are
reco
rds
of
tide-
swep
t alg
al c
omm
uniti
es a
nd
mor
e bu
rrow
ed m
ud.
Con
side
ratio
n sh
ould
be
give
n to
ext
endi
ng th
e bo
unda
ry o
f the
SA
C to
en
com
pass
the
entir
ety
of
the
sea
loch
s w
ithin
a N
C
MP
A. T
he m
ain
feat
ures
th
is w
ould
incl
ude
wou
ld
be b
urro
wed
mud
, ins
hore
de
ep m
ud w
ith b
urro
win
g he
art u
rchi
ns a
nd s
helf
deep
s.
Rum
§ S
PA
N
/A
Hor
se m
usse
l bed
s K
elp
and
seaw
eed
com
mun
ities
on
subl
ittor
al s
edim
ent
Nor
ther
n se
a fa
n an
d de
ep s
pong
e co
mm
uniti
es
Sea
gras
s be
ds
Bur
row
ing
sea
anem
one
(sin
gle
reco
rd)
San
deel
s B
aski
ng s
hark
C
omm
on s
kate
M
inke
wha
le
Fan
mus
sel a
ggre
gatio
ns
Mae
rl be
ds
Oce
an q
uaho
g B
lack
gui
llem
ot
Nor
ther
n fe
athe
r sta
r agg
rega
tions
on
mix
ed s
ubst
rata
Out
side
the
site
bou
ndar
y th
ere
are
man
y re
cord
s of
bas
king
sha
rk
alon
g w
ith re
cord
s of
bur
row
ed
mud
, com
mon
ska
te, E
urop
ean
spin
y lo
bste
r, no
rthe
rn fe
athe
r sta
r ag
greg
atio
ns o
n m
ixed
sub
stra
ta,
north
ern
sea
fan
and
spon
ge
com
mun
ities
, oce
an q
uaho
g an
d m
aerl
beds
. The
site
is a
lso
with
in th
e m
inke
wha
le b
road
sea
rch
area
and
sh
elf d
eeps
spa
n th
e bo
unda
ry.
Unl
ess
the
site
is a
men
ded
to b
e si
gnifi
cant
ly la
rger
th
e sc
ale
of th
e ar
ea /
loca
tion
is u
nlik
ely
to
be a
ppro
pria
te in
term
s of
en
ablin
g an
MP
A to
mak
e a
cont
ribut
ion
to th
e co
nser
vatio
n of
min
ke
wha
le a
nd c
omm
on s
kate
. Th
e si
te c
ould
be
mer
ged
with
Can
na a
nd S
anda
y an
d ex
tend
ed to
a m
uch
bigg
er s
ite to
affo
rd
prot
ectio
n to
the
mob
ile
spec
ies.
23
Exis
ting
prot
ecte
d ar
ea
Type
M
PA s
earc
h fe
atur
es
cons
ider
ed to
be
prot
ecte
d*
Oth
er M
PA s
earc
h fe
atur
es
with
in e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
ea*
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ures
in th
e po
ssib
le a
men
ded
area
**
Com
men
ts
Can
na a
nd
San
day§
SP
A
N/A
H
orse
mus
sel b
eds
Kel
p an
d se
awee
d co
mm
uniti
es o
n su
blitt
oral
sed
imen
t M
aerl
or c
oars
e sh
ell g
rave
l with
bu
rrow
ing
sea
cucu
mbe
rs
Sea
gras
s be
ds
Fan
mus
sel a
ggre
gatio
ns
Eur
opea
n sp
iny
lobs
ter
Sand
eels
B
aski
ng s
hark
M
inke
wha
le
Bur
row
ed m
ud
Mae
rl be
ds
Bla
ck g
uille
mot
Out
side
the
site
bou
ndar
y th
ere
are
man
y re
cord
s of
bas
king
sha
rk
alon
g w
ith re
cord
s of
bur
row
ed
mud
, com
mon
ska
te, E
urop
ean
spin
y lo
bste
r, no
rthe
rn fe
athe
r sta
r ag
greg
atio
ns o
n m
ixed
sub
stra
ta,
north
ern
sea
fan
and
spon
ge
com
mun
ities
, oce
an q
uaho
g an
d m
aerl
beds
. The
site
is a
lso
with
in th
e m
inke
wha
le b
road
sea
rch
area
and
sh
elf d
eeps
spa
n th
e bo
unda
ry.
Unl
ess
the
site
is a
men
ded
to b
e si
gnifi
cant
ly la
rger
th
e sc
ale
of th
e ar
ea /
loca
tion
is u
nlik
ely
to
be a
ppro
pria
te in
term
s of
en
ablin
g an
MP
A to
mak
e a
cont
ribut
ion
to th
e co
nser
vatio
n of
min
ke
wha
le. S
ite c
ould
be
mer
ged
with
Rum
and
ex
tend
ed to
a m
uch
bigg
er
site
to a
fford
pro
tect
ion
to
the
mob
ile s
peci
es.
Hoy
# S
PA
N
/A
Kel
p an
d se
awee
d co
mm
uniti
es o
n su
blitt
oral
sed
imen
t M
aerl
beds
M
aerl
or c
oars
e sh
ell g
rave
l with
bu
rrow
ing
sea
cucu
mbe
rs
Oce
an q
uaho
g E
urop
ean
spin
y lo
bste
r S
ande
els
Bask
ing
shar
k B
lack
gui
llem
ot
Rec
ords
out
side
the
site
bou
ndar
y in
clud
e co
mm
on s
kate
, oce
an
quah
og, k
elp
and
seaw
eed
com
mun
ities
on
subl
ittor
al s
edim
ent,
mae
rl or
coa
rse
shel
l gra
vel w
ith
burr
owin
g se
a cu
cum
bers
, hor
se
mus
sel b
eds
and
Eur
opea
n sp
iny
lobs
ter.
Site
cou
ld b
e ex
tend
ed to
in
clud
e th
e ho
rse
mus
sel
beds
Cop
insa
y# SP
A N
/A
Hor
se m
usse
l bed
s Fa
n m
usse
l B
lack
gui
llem
ot
none
Fetla
r S
PA
N
/A
Hor
se m
usse
l bed
s K
elp
and
seaw
eed
com
mun
ities
on
subl
ittor
al s
edim
ent
Mae
rl be
ds
Shal
low
tide
-sw
ept c
oars
e sa
nd
with
bur
row
ing
biva
lves
O
cean
qua
hog
Bask
ing
shar
k B
lack
gui
llem
ot
Rec
ords
out
side
the
site
bou
ndar
y in
clud
e sa
ndee
ls, b
aski
ng s
hark
, ke
lp a
nd s
eaw
eed
com
mun
ities
, m
aerl
beds
, tid
e sw
ept a
lgal
co
mm
uniti
es, s
eagr
ass
beds
, hor
se
mus
sel b
eds
and
shal
low
tide
-sw
ept c
oars
e sa
nd w
ith b
urro
win
g bi
valv
es.
24
Exis
ting
prot
ecte
d ar
ea
Type
M
PA s
earc
h fe
atur
es
cons
ider
ed to
be
prot
ecte
d*
Oth
er M
PA s
earc
h fe
atur
es
with
in e
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
ea*
MPA
sea
rch
feat
ures
in th
e po
ssib
le a
men
ded
area
**
Com
men
ts
Wyv
ille
Thom
son
Rid
ge
SA
C
Offs
hore
dee
p se
a m
uds
Offs
hore
sub
tidal
san
ds
and
grav
els
nil
Offs
hore
dee
p se
a m
uds
Offs
hore
sub
tidal
san
ds a
nd g
rave
ls
Onl
y a
very
sm
all a
rea
of
Offs
hore
dee
p se
a m
ud
with
in s
ite w
hich
wou
ld n
ot
be c
onsi
dere
d to
be
viab
le.
If ex
tend
ed n
orth
-eas
twar
d it
wou
ld a
lso
cove
r a
prop
ortio
n co
mpo
nent
s of
de
ep s
ea m
ud n
ot
curre
ntly
cov
ered
. M
odel
led
data
, req
uirin
g ve
rific
atio
n.
Hat
ton
Ban
k V
ME
C
losu
re
Car
bona
te m
ound
co
mm
uniti
es
Offs
hore
sub
tidal
san
ds
and
grav
els
Bur
row
ed m
ud
Cor
al g
arde
ns
(sus
pect
ed)
Offs
hore
dee
p-se
a m
uds
Blu
e lin
g sp
awni
ng g
roun
ds
Cor
al g
arde
ns (s
uspe
cted
) O
ffsho
re s
ubtid
al s
ands
and
gra
vels
B
lue
ling
spaw
ning
gro
unds
Cor
al g
arde
ns -
conf
irmat
ion
of p
rese
nce
is
desi
rabl
e. E
xten
ding
sou
th
to c
over
the
Ban
k su
mm
it an
d to
the
Wes
t to
a de
pth
of 1
500
m w
ould
incl
ude
the
rem
aini
ng B
ank
reco
rds.
O
ffsho
re d
eep
mud
s - t
he
area
with
in th
is c
losu
re is
to
o sm
all t
o be
con
side
red
viab
le.
Offs
hore
sub
tidal
san
ds
and
grav
els
- ext
endi
ng
Nor
th W
est w
ould
cov
er
varia
tion
with
cha
ngin
g de
pth
and
subs
trate
. B
lue
ling
- ext
ensi
on s
outh
an
d ea
st c
ould
cov
er m
ore
of th
e sp
awni
ng g
roun
ds.
25
Tabl
e G
E
xist
ing
prot
ecte
d ar
eas
cont
aini
ng M
PA
sea
rch
feat
ures
con
side
red
as p
riorit
es, t
oget
her w
ith re
ason
s fo
r not
con
side
ring
furth
er
Exis
ting
prot
ecte
d ar
ea
Type
M
PA s
earc
h fe
atur
es
cons
ider
ed p
riorit
ies
Rea
son
for n
ot c
onsi
derin
g fu
rthe
r
Luce
Bay
S
AC
B
aski
ng s
hark
W
hils
t the
re a
re s
ight
ings
reco
rds
ther
e ar
e no
effo
rt re
late
d da
ta a
vaila
ble
and
so it
is
diffi
cult
to m
ake
com
paris
ons
betw
een
this
are
a an
d ot
hers
. In
add
ition
, bas
king
sha
rk is
th
e on
ly fe
atur
e co
nsid
ered
to re
mai
n a
prio
rity
for s
earc
h in
this
regi
on a
nd th
ere
is a
qu
estio
n ov
er w
heth
er th
e sc
ale
of th
e ar
ea is
app
ropr
iate
in te
rms
of e
nabl
ing
an M
PA
to
mak
e a
cont
ribut
ion
to th
e co
nser
vatio
n of
this
spe
cies
. A
ilsa
Cra
ig
SP
A
Bas
king
sha
rk
See
Luce
Bay
dis
cuss
ion
abov
e.
Han
da
SP
A
Bas
king
sha
rk, s
ande
els
See
dis
cuss
ion
unde
r Luc
e B
ay fo
r bas
king
sha
rk a
nd u
nder
Rou
say
for s
ande
els.
C
ape
Wra
th
SP
A
Min
ke w
hale
, whi
te-b
eake
d do
lphi
n Th
e on
ly M
PA
sea
rch
feat
ures
con
side
red
as s
earc
h pr
iorit
ies
are
both
mob
ile s
peci
es a
nd
ther
e is
a q
uest
ion
over
whe
ther
the
scal
e of
the
area
is a
ppro
pria
te in
term
s of
ena
blin
g an
MP
A to
mak
e a
cont
ribut
ion
to th
e co
nser
vatio
n of
min
ke w
hale
or w
hite
-bea
ked
dolp
hin.
Thi
s ar
ea is
on
the
edge
of a
Bro
ad S
earc
h A
rea
iden
tifie
d fo
r the
se tw
o sp
ecie
s.
Rou
say
SP
A
San
deel
s Th
e on
ly M
PA
sea
rch
feat
ure
with
in th
is S
PA
col
ony
exte
nsio
n is
san
deel
s. T
he c
olon
y ex
tens
ions
wer
e pu
t in
plac
e to
sup
port
soci
al a
ctiv
ities
(pre
enin
g, lo
afin
g et
c) ra
ther
than
fe
edin
g ac
tivity
. Th
roug
h th
e an
alys
is o
n of
fsho
re a
ggre
gatio
n S
PA
s ot
her a
reas
whi
ch
prov
ide
mor
e im
porta
nt fe
edin
g ha
bita
t for
bird
s m
ay b
e id
entif
ied.
The
re is
als
o an
issu
e ov
er w
heth
er th
e sc
ale
of th
e ar
ea is
app
ropr
iate
in te
rms
of e
nabl
ing
an M
PA
to m
ake
a co
ntrib
utio
n to
the
cons
erva
tion
of th
is s
peci
es. I
n ad
ditio
n, fu
rther
ana
lysi
s of
the
sand
eel
data
is u
nder
way
to ta
ke in
to a
ccou
nt c
oast
al fi
shin
g gr
ound
s, w
hich
may
cha
nge
som
e of
th
e re
com
men
datio
ns in
this
tabl
e.
Fair
Isle
S
PA
S
ande
els
See
Rou
say
disc
ussi
on a
bove
. M
ousa
S
AC
S
ande
els
See
Rou
say
disc
ussi
on a
bove
. N
oss
SP
A
San
deel
s S
ee R
ousa
y di
scus
sion
abo
ve.
Foul
a S
PA
S
ande
els
See
Rou
say
disc
ussi
on a
bove
. M
ingu
lay
and
Ber
nera
y S
PA
S
ande
els
See
Rou
say
disc
ussi
on a
bove
.
Nor
th R
ona
and
Sul
a S
geir
SPA
San
deel
s S
ee R
ousa
y di
scus
sion
abo
ve.
Cap
e W
rath
S
PA
S
ande
els
See
Rou
say
disc
ussi
on a
bove
. S
umbu
rgh
Hea
d S
PA
San
deel
s S
ee R
ousa
y di
scus
sion
abo
ve.
Ulv
a, D
anna
and
th
e M
cCor
mai
g Is
les
SS
SI
Nat
ive
oyst
er
A n
umbe
r of r
emai
ning
MP
A s
earc
h fe
atur
e pr
iorit
ies
occu
r with
in L
och
Sw
een
and
it is
re
com
men
ded
that
ass
essm
ent a
gain
st th
e M
PA
Sel
ectio
n G
uide
lines
is c
arrie
d ou
t at t
he
scal
e of
the
sea
loch
rath
er th
an ju
st w
ithin
the
SS
SI.
26
Exis
ting
prot
ecte
d ar
ea
Type
M
PA s
earc
h fe
atur
es
cons
ider
ed p
riorit
ies
Rea
son
for n
ot c
onsi
derin
g fu
rthe
r
Sta
nton
Ban
ks
SA
C
Bur
row
ed m
ud, o
ffsho
re s
ubtid
al
sand
s an
d gr
avel
s, o
ffsho
re d
eep
mud
s, n
orth
ern
feat
her s
tar
aggr
egat
ions
on
mix
ed s
ubst
rata
(p
endi
ng re
view
of M
PA
sea
rch
feat
ure
stat
us)
Ther
e ar
e fiv
e re
cord
s of
the
seap
ens
and
burr
owin
g m
egaf
auna
bio
tope
of b
urro
wed
mud
an
d a
smal
l am
ount
of o
ffsho
re d
eep-
sea
mud
s w
hich
lie
with
in th
e S
AC
bou
ndar
y.
How
ever
, the
bou
ndar
y fo
r the
SA
C h
as b
een
draw
n ve
ry ti
ghtly
aro
und
the
Ann
ex I
reef
s fe
atur
e. T
here
fore
it is
not
con
side
red
that
enh
anci
ng th
is S
AC
with
a N
C M
PA
wou
ld a
dd
sign
ifica
ntly
to th
e co
nser
vatio
n of
the
MP
A s
earc
h fe
atur
es.
Nor
th W
est R
ocka
ll S
AC
/ VM
E cl
osur
e
A
lthou
gh e
nhan
cem
ent w
as c
onsi
dere
d, e
xten
ding
the
boun
dary
a c
onsi
dera
ble
dist
ance
w
ould
onl
y af
ford
pro
tect
ion
to o
ne p
oint
reco
rd o
f sus
pect
ed c
oral
gar
den
and
off-s
helf
offs
hore
sub
tidal
san
ds a
nd g
rave
ls, t
he la
tter o
f whi
ch is
not
con
side
red
a ga
p in
the
netw
ork.
The
refo
re, t
his
was
not
con
side
red
as a
n ap
prop
riate
enh
ance
men
t opp
ortu
nity
. B
raem
ar p
ockm
arks
S
AC
B
urro
wed
mud
Th
is S
AC
is c
onsi
dere
d to
o sm
all t
o be
con
side
red
as a
via
ble
enha
ncem
ent o
ppor
tuni
ty
for b
urro
wed
mud
in th
e E
ast M
PA
regi
on.
Sca
nner
poc
kmar
k S
AC
B
urro
wed
mud
Th
is S
AC
is c
onsi
dere
d to
o sm
all t
o be
con
side
red
as a
via
ble
enha
ncem
ent o
ppor
tuni
ty
for b
urro
wed
mud
in th
e E
ast M
PA
regi
on.
27
6. NEXT STEPS
The options for enhancing existing protected areas with Nature Conservation MPAs and the provisional prioritisation of MPA search features presented in this draft will be discussed at the 3rd National MPA stakeholder workshop. Following the workshop the results will be reviewed to provide a finalised list of:
existing protected areas that could be enhanced via a Nature Conservation MPA to protect MPA search features; and
remaining MPA search feature priorities which takes account of the contribution of existing protected areas, other area-based measures and least damaged/more natural locations to the MPA network.
This will provide a focus for developing the options for completing the MPA network.
28
7. ANNEXES
Annex 1 Description of detailed assessments undertaken for MPA search features
The detailed assessments for each MPA search feature were based on the records available within GeMS. The total number of records available within GeMS was noted for each feature.
Recorded distribution A short description of the recorded distribution in Scottish offshore and territorial waters, relative to the Scottish MPA regions, was provided for each search feature. The wider distribution of the feature was also noted, where relevant, to place the feature’s Scottish distribution into context. In addition, any known ecological parameters which typically influence the local distribution of the feature were outlined. Occurrence within existing protected areas Within the detailed assessments the term protected areas was used to describe the following types of area:
Special Areas of Conservation (SACs); Special Protection Area - marine extensions (SPAs); and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
Areas with fisheries restrictions were included in the detailed assessments because these assessments were also being used to support work on the contribution of other area-based measures. These areas were referred to as fisheries areas. Each MPA search feature was described in terms of its occurrence within protected areas and fisheries areas and the protection afforded to the feature through presence in these areas. A summary table and illustrative map was compiled for each feature to outline the number and relative proportion of records:
present within protected areas / fisheries areas and considered to be effectively protected either through their qualifying feature or existing management; or
present within protected areas / fisheries areas, but not protected through their qualifying feature or existing management; or
outside any protected areas or fisheries areas. Occurrence within proposed protected areas For the purpose of this report, proposed protected areas were considered to include the following types of area:
draft Special Areas of Conservation (dSACs); Areas of Search for Special Areas of Conservation (AoS SAC); and draft fisheries areas, in the case of offshore waters.
The occurrence of records within a proposed protected area was flagged for information purposes. However, proposed protected areas were not included in the analysis. It was not considered possible to assess the contribution of proposed protected areas to the MPA network, given that it is not certain whether such areas will progress to designation. Therefore, any records falling within proposed protected areas would be categorised as ‘outside any protected areas’ for the purposes of this analysis.
29
Data quality A brief assessment of the quality of the data available through GeMS was provided in terms of the age of existing records and the presence of any known data or knowledge gaps. This was to provide an indication of confidence in the records. Potential contribution to the MPA network Protected areas or fisheries areas which were considered to protect records of a given MPA search feature, either through the qualifying feature or under existing management, have the potential to contribute to the MPA network. In order to further understand the contribution to the network from such areas, those records regarded as protected were assessed against the following stage five MPA selection guidelines:
Representation of features within the network Consideration was given to the representation of each search feature within the existing network. Lists of protected areas and fisheries areas potentially contributing to the network were compiled for each search feature. These areas were considered in the context of the requirements for protection of a viable example of any given search feature (where this information was available through detailed ecological guidance).
Replication of features within the network For each feature, consideration was made against the interpretation provided within the guidelines that if there is more than one example of each search feature within the network in Scottish waters, then the criteria for replication will be met.
Key linkages between relevant features within the network This guideline is intended to focus on important locations in the life stages of highly mobile species and will only be assessed where there is a good understanding of the relationship between the features within different areas. This guideline has therefore only been considered for a limited number of mobile search features.
Range and geographic variation of features within the seas around Scotland Consideration was given to whether the existing protection for each feature approximately reflects the known distribution of each feature. A table was compiled to summarise the number of records for each search feature by region, alongside the number of areas by region which are deemed to afford protection to that search feature. In addition, consideration was given to reflecting any geographic variation within the search feature across Scotland. This was considered at the level of search feature components or, where there was information on known regional differences within a particular species or biotope, at that level.
Resilience The guidelines state that in some cases it may be appropriate to include a greater proportion of some particularly threatened and / or declining features within the overall network. For each feature a summary was compiled outlining conservation status, presence on the OSPAR Threatened and / or Declining list, sensitivity and recoverability information in order to help assess relative resilience.
Potential additional contribution to the MPA network Where records of a given MPA search feature are present within protected areas or fisheries areas, but not currently protected through the qualifying feature or existing management of these areas, there may be potential to enhance these with a MPA in order to achieve additional contribution to the network. In order to further understand what additional contribution might be possible, those records present within existing areas (but not currently protected through the qualifying feature or current management) have been assessed
30
against the Stage 5 guideline which relates to ‘representation of features within the network’ (as described above). Conclusions For each MPA search feature, a table was compiled listing those protected areas and fisheries areas which have potential to contribute to the existing MPA network alongside those with potential to provide additional contribution to the network if enhanced with an MPA. The conclusion was also used to highlight any other key points from the detailed assessment that help interpret the table.
31
Annex 2 Existing protected areas considered within the analysis
Protected area type Protected area name Area of search for SAC9 Anton Dohrn seamount Area of search for SAC East Rockall Bank Area of search for SAC George Bligh Bank Area of search for SAC Pobie Bank Area of search for SAC Solan Bank dSAC10 East Mingulay dSAC Hatton Bank dSAC Sound of Barra SAC Ascrib, Isay and Dunvegan SAC Berwickshire and North Northumberland Coast SAC Braemar Pockmarks SAC Darwin Mounds SAC Dornoch Firth and Morrich More SAC Eileanan agus Sgeiran Lios mor SAC Faray and Holm of Faray SAC Firth of Lorn SAC Firth of Tay and Eden Estuary SAC Isle of May SAC Loch Creran SAC Loch Laxford SAC Loch Moidart and Loch Shiel Woods SAC Loch nam Madadh SAC Loch of Stenness SAC Loch Roag Lagoons SAC Lochs Duich, Long and Alsh Reefs SAC Luce Bay and Sands SAC Moine Mhor SAC Monach Islands SAC Moray Firth SAC Mousa SAC North Rona SAC North West Rockall Bank SAC Obain Loch Euphoirt SAC Papa Stour SAC Sanday SAC Scanner Pockmark SAC Solway Firth SAC Sound of Arisaig (Loch Ailort to Loch Ceann) SAC South Uist Machair SAC South-East Islay Skerries SAC Stanton Banks SAC St Kilda SAC Sullom Voe SAC Sunart
9 Areas of search were not considered to afford protection to MPA search features as these are
currently proposed protected areas, however where they occur these areas have been noted. 10 dSACs were not considered to afford protection to MPA search features as these are currently
proposed protected areas, however where they occur these areas have been noted.
32
Protected area type Protected area name SAC The Vadills SAC Treshnish Isles SAC Wyville Thomson Ridge SAC Yell Sound Coast SPA Ailsa Craig SPA Buchan Ness to Collieston Coast SPA Calf of Eday SPA Canna and Sanday SPA Cape Wrath SPA Copinsay SPA East Caithness Cliffs SPA Fair Isle SPA Fetlar SPA Flannan Isles SPA Forth Islands SPA Foula SPA Fowlsheugh SPA Handa SPA Hermaness, Saxa Vord and Valla Field SPA Hoy SPA Marwick Head SPA Mingulay and Berneray SPA North Caithness Cliffs SPA North Rona and Sula Sgeir SPA Noss SPA Rousay SPA Rum SPA Shiant Isles SPA St Abb's Head to Fast Castle SPA St Kilda SPA Sule Skerry and Sule Stack SPA Sumburgh Head SPA Troup, Pennan and Lion's Heads SPA West Westray SSSI Ballochmartin Bay SSSI Balranald Bog and Loch nam Feithean SSSI Berwickshire Coast (Intertidal) SSSI Bogside Flats SSSI Bridgend Flats SSSI Cree Estuary SSSI Cromarty Firth SSSI Dornoch Firth SSSI East Sanday Coast SSSI Eden Estuary SSSI Eynhallow SSSI Faray and Holm of Faray SSSI Firth of Forth SSSI Gruinart Flats SSSI Howmore Estuary, Lochs Roag and Fada SSSI Isle of May SSSI Kames Bay
33
Protected area type Protected area name SSSI Kentra Bay and Moss SSSI Loch an Duin SSSI Loch Bee SSSI Loch Fleet SSSI Loch Moidart SSSI Loch nam Madadh SSSI Loch Obisary SSSI Loch Siadar SSSI Lochs at Clachan SSSI Lochs of Harray and Stenness SSSI Longman and Castle Stuart Bays SSSI Luskentyre Banks and Saltings SSSI Montrose Basin SSSI Mound Alderwoods SSSI Mousa SSSI Muckle and Little Green Holm SSSI Munlochy Bay SSSI North Fetlar SSSI North Rona and Sula Sgeir SSSI Northton Bay SSSI Obain Loch Euphoirt SSSI Oronsay and South Colonsay SSSI Papa Stour SSSI Pool of Virkie SSSI Rosehearty to Fraserburgh Coast SSSI Sandness Coast SSSI Small Seal Islands SSSI Sunart SSSI Taynish Woods SSSI Tayport - Tentsmuir Coast SSSI The Vadills SSSI Tob Valasay SSSI Tong Saltings SSSI Treshnish Isles SSSI Ulva, Danna and the McCormaig Isles SSSI Upper Solway Flats and Marshes SSSI Whiteness Head Inshore Fishing Order Lamlash Bay Sea Fisheries Order East Coast Scotland Fisheries area for VMEs Darwin mounds Fisheries area for VMEs Hatton Bank Fisheries area for VMEs North West Rockall Fisheries area for VMEs West Rockall Mound
In addition to the protected areas listed above, a further 56 SPA colonies were considered specifically for black guillemot and intertidal MPA search features. The results of the black guillemot analysis are presented in a separate document. No SPA colonies were considered to have potential to address gaps in protection for intertidal MPA search features.
