Offshore Survey commencing in the English Channel

Today (19^th April 2017), JNCC and Cefas have embarked on a survey of Wight-Barfleur Reef cSAC/SCI (Annex I Reef) and Bassurelle Sandbank cSAC/SCI (Annex I ‘Sandbanks which are slightly covered by seawater all the time’) aboard the RV Cefas Endeavour (CEND0617). A map of these sites is attached below.

Wight-Barfleur Reef cSAC/SCI is characterised by a series of well-defined exposed ridges of bedrock up to 4m high and stony reefs. These habitats support a diverse range of wildlife including sponges, tube worms, anemones and sea squirts. More information about Wight-Barfleur reef cSAC/SCI can be found here; http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-6544.

Bassurelle Sandbank cSAC/SCI is characterised by its thickness of the sediment (up to 25m thick) and elevation above the surrounding area. These sandbanks support communities of a large variety of infaunal species most notably polychaete worms. More information about Bassurelle Sandbank cSAC/SCI can be found here; http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-6528.

Photo from the team this morning en route to site © JNCC.

This survey is aiming to gather evidence to monitor and inform assessment of the designated features of both sites.

At Bassurelle Sandbank cSAC/SCI, our scientists will be collecting a range of data including sediment, epifaunal and infaunal samples. At Wight-Barfleur Reef cSAC/SCI, multibeam echosounder (MBES) and sidescan sonar will be used along with video and still imagery to gather data on the seabed species and habitats that are present at the site. Environmental data, such as temperature and salinity, will also be collected to provide additional important contextual information.

Stay tuned to our blog and JNCC Twitter feed for further updates throughout the survey!

2017 Offshore Seabed Surveys

JNCC has just published a new page on our website with details of our upcoming offshore seabed surveys that are currently planned for 2017. Take a look at the webpage to find our which Marine Protected Areas the surveys will be visiting, who we are collaborating with, the survey dates and the data we hope to collect. The webpage will be updated with new details as the planning progresses.

Link to webpage:
http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-7405