Offshore survey of Dogger Bank Site of Community Importance

On the 17th May 2014 another 20 day JNCC commissioned survey will commence aboard the RV Cefas Endeavour to the Dogger Bank Site of Community Importance (SCI) in English offshore waters.  Dogger Bank is one of the 20 offshore candidate Special Areas of Conservation (cSAC) in UK offshore waters and is located in the Southern North Sea, approximately 150km north east of the Humber Estuary (see map below).

Map displaying the MPA boundary and sandbank feature.
View and download spatial data for this MPA on the JNCC UK MPA interactive map.

The Dogger Bank is the largest sandbank in UK waters and extends into both Dutch and German waters. It is home to a variety of species which live both on and within the sandy sediment. This includes segmented polychaete worms, shrimp like amphipods and small clams which burrow into the sand. Animals like hermit crabs, flatfish and starfish also live on top of the sandbank. Lots of long thin silver sand eels can be found on the sides of the sandbank and are food for many seabirds, whales and dolphins and other fish such as cod. The aim of this 20 day survey will be to gather evidence to help inform monitoring options for the site.