Abstract
Objectives 1.To provide information on the distribution, extent and character of potential Habitats Directive Annex I reef habitat within the central English Channel region to facilitate the selection of SACs. 2.To compare and contrast communities of gravel habitats across the central and eastern Channel to underpin regulatory decisions relating to gravel regions likely to be affected by dredging. 3.To facilitate the development of adaptive survey strategies and provide guidance on best practice for surveying hard-substrate reef habitats. Key Customer Purpose There is a pressing need to identify and locate Annex I ‘reef’ habitats in UK offshore waters so they can be assessed against the SAC selection criteria in time to meet the UK’s commitments under the EU Habitats Directive in 2010, which cannot readily be achieved using existing data.
United Kingdom