North Devon case study

Dr Olivia Langmead Marine Biological Association

Focus of the study• Subtidal sediment habitats and

their value in supporting fisheries production

• The valuation research will consider the role of sediment habitats as nursery areas and in sustaining food chains (food supply for fish)

• Scenarios will be developed (with you!) to determine how values might change under different plausible management scenarios

• We anticipate that this work will be of direct benefit for the long term management of the area

Stages of the work

1. Data gathering

2. Valuation

3. Scenarios

4. Implications for governance

Case study Area

Data collectionData have been collected on: Human activities and uses

that affect the seabed – their distribution and intensity in the NDBR marine area

Ecology – seabed species and habitats, nursery and spawning areas for commercially important fish species and reported catch

Management – existing measures including MPAs, fisheries restrictions

Human activities that leave a footprint on the seabed: Industry

Human activities that leave a footprint on the seabed: Fisheries

(1)

Finding Sanctuary Fishermap

Human activities that leave a footprint on the seabed: Fisheries

(2)

Finding Sanctuary Fishermap

Human activities that leave a footprint on the seabed: Fisheries

(3)

Finding Sanctuary Fishermap

Human activities that leave a footprint on the seabed: Fisheries

(4)

Finding Sanctuary Fishermap

Human activities that leave a footprint on the seabed: Fisheries

(5) VMS data still to

come in from MMO

MMO landings data

Fishermap Recreational

angling surveys MMO/NSA

No data on scallop trawling in Finding Sanctuary Fishermap

Ecology: seabed habitats

Ecology: fish stocks

Cefas Beam Trawl Surveys VIIa/Young fish surveys

EA young fish surveys

Cefas gear trial surveys

IFCA potting surveys

RWE potting and trawl surveys

Ecology: nursery and spawning grounds (1)

Ecology: nursery and spawning grounds (2)

Ecology: nursery and spawning grounds (3)

Ecology: nursery and spawning grounds (4)

Management: site based protection

Management: fisheries measures

Management: nutrients in catchment

• These maps show what we know about– human activities– Ecology –Management

• Do they match up to the real life situation?

• What are we missing?• How can our understanding be

improved?

With special thanks to all our partners and funders