A Natural England commissoined verification survey of intertidal sediments within the Thanet Coast rMCZ. Phase I Biotope mapping was carried out across the rMCZ for broad scale habitats. The data was used to produce a EUNIS Level 3 boradscale habitat map of the Thanet Coast rMCZ.

AbstractThis is a spatial dataset that predicts the distribution of broad-scale marine habitats (EUNIS Level 3 classification) within across the Holderness coast nearshore region, produced through the interpretation of geophysical datasets combined with existing benthic sample data.Why is it important that NE publishes this data?The Holderness coast is a unique and diverse marine ecosystem, but it is sensitive to increasing infrastructure and development applications in the region. This broad-scale habitat map is an important addition to Natural England's evidence base and will help to guide our advice on marine and coastal development in the area. advice. It also likely to be a useful resource for developers during the planning process, particularly to guide where further survey efforts should be targeted, and may too be of interest to any other stakeholders working along the Holderness coast.ExtentYorkshire Coast: The nearshore area between Spurn Point and the area South of Flamborough Head, encompassing Smithic Sands and Holderness Inshore Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), and parts of Flamborough and Filey Coast Special Protection Area (SPA), Flamborough Head Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Humber Estuary SAC, SPA and SSSILineageA number of data layers from different sources were geo-processed to produce this map layer.The two main data layers used were:(a) Bathymetry mosaic. These data were acquired by the UK Hydrographic Office, on behalf of the UK Civil Hydrography Programme and the Marine Conservation Zones (DEFRA). The British Geological Society (BGS) processed the raw data to form single surface bathymetry mosaics, and it was these mosaic layers that were shared to Natural England via Open Government License, and subsequently passed on to our contractors, Envision.(b) Backscatter layers. These data were collected and processed for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) under the Civil Hydrography Programme. These layers were download directly from the BGS GeoIndex viewer, by our contractors Envision, under Open Government License.Our contractors, Envision, combined both datasets (a) and (b) to create a geophysical dataset for the Project Area, from which parameters such as rugosity and variability were derived, as these are good indicators of heterogenic habitats.Envision then integrated these physical derivatives, with existing benthic sample data (c, d, e), to infer the distribution of habitats across the Project Area. The benthic sample data was sourced from the following national datasets, all available under Open Government License / without limitations of use:(c) Cefas OneBenthic (including data from the Regional Seabed Monitoring Plan)(d) EMODnet Seabed Habitats - collated habitat point data (2019)(d) BGS GeoIndex Sample Data - shallow geology and geophysics data collected as either part of regional or local mapping work, or provided to BGS by third parties.(e) Cefas OneBenthic (including data from the Regional Seabed Monitoring Plan)Quality Assurance of the final map product was carried out by Envision and internally at Natural England.Full metadata can be viewed on environment.data.gov.uk

This service contains various Aquaculture data. This includes Shellfish Production, Optimum Sites of Aquaculture potential (AQ1), Bivalve Classification area and Areas of Future Potential for Aquaculture. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Shellfish Production dataset shows shellfish farm species production data grouped by water body. Water bodies were taken from the water framework directive (WFD) coastal and transitional water bodies database, and joined with the data from CEFAS. Data contains information on species present and production values. This dataset was created by ABPmer under contract to DEFRA (Contract reference MB106). An Excel spreadsheet was supplied to ABPmer by CEFAS which contained a list of waterbodies with the species cultivated per waterbody, production per waterbody and the number of businesses operating for 2007. The production data was joined to a shapefile containing waterbodies based on name of waterbody, and all sites where no shellfish cultivation occurred were removed. The same procedure was repeated with the data of species present. A shapefile containing both number of species grown and tonnes produced per waterbody was created by merging the two datasets based on waterbody name. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Optimum Sites of Aquaculture Potential (AQ1) dataset shows areas identified through GIS modelling of suitable environmental conditions in East Coast Inshore and Offshore Marine Plan Areas favourable for macroalgae culture, Bivalve Bottom Culture, Finfish Cage, Lobster Restocking, Rope Cultured Bivalve Shellfish or Trestle/Bag Culture of Bivalves. This dataset has been derived from of a wider study assessing aquaculture potential in the South and East Marine Plan Areas for the Marine Management Organisation, project MMO1040. It was created using the Natural Resource model which forms part of the MMO project 1040 Spatial Trends in Aquaculture Potential in the South and East Coast Inshore and Offshore Marine Plan Areas. The Natural Resource model is made up of three existing environmental datasets: bathymetry derived from the Department of Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Digital Elevation Model (DEM), predicted seabed sediments and combined seabed energy, both from UKSeaMap 2010 (McBreen, et al., 2010). Suitable environmental conditions applied include - low-moderate seabed energy, any sediment type and 10-25 m water depth for current potential. The depth limitations in this instance are based on the industry current reliance on scuba-divers for maintenance and husbandry. It is anticipated that as the industry develops it will become less reliant on divers and be able to move into deeper waters. Note that although the Natural Resource model used the best environmental data available for use in the study but there are significant limitations and gaps. These are outlined below and are discussed in more detail in the final project report: The model does not contain any measure of water quality (e.g. dissolved oxygen, sediment loading or contaminants) and therefore is likely to overestimate the area deemed suitable for aquaculture developments, particularly fin fish cage culture, rope grown bivalve culture and macroalgae culture. The UKSeaMap 2010 predicted seabed sediment map (McBreen, et al., 2010) is modelled at a coarse scale which has led to inaccuracies in the identification of areas which have potential for aquaculture development. UKSeaMap 2010 is known to under-estimate rock habitats because of the type of sampling data (sediment grabs) used to underpin the model. The MMO is working with JNCC to develop these data to lead to improvements in future models. The UKSeaMap 2010 combined seabed energy map included in the model (McBreen, et al., 2010) provides an approximation of the environmental conditions that are likely to limit aquaculture development (e.g. strong currents and large waves) but more accurate results could be obtained by using more precise component datasets such as the maximum wave height and tidal current range, where these datasets are available and the precise limitations of the aquaculture activities of interest are known. The dataset shows potential based on current technologies as defined in Table 10 of the MMO1040 Aquaculture Potential Final Report which is published on the MMO website's evidence pages. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Bivalve Classification dataset classifies where the production of shellfish can be commercially harvested. All areas listed are designated for species that may be harvested as well as the classification of the shellfish waters. Classification of harvesting areas is required and implemented directly in England and Wales under European Regulation 854/2004. The co-ordination of the shellfish harvesting area classification monitoring programme in England and Wales is carried out by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth (Cefas) on behalf of the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Cefas will make recommendations on classification according to an agreed protocol with the FSA making all final classification decisions and setting out the overall policy. Shellfish production areas are classified according to the extent to which shellfish sampled from the area are contaminated with E. coli. The Classification Zones/Production areas delineate areas where shellfish may be commercially harvested. Coordinates for the zone boundaries are calculated during a sanitary (ground) survey of the production area and where appropriate they are based on the OS Mastermap Mean High Water Line (coordinate accuracy <10m). The maps/zones are correct at time of publication but are updated when necessary depending on hygiene testing results. The current maps (jpgs) are available from the Cefas website ( https://www.cefas.co.uk/publications-data/food-safety/classification-and-microbiological-monitoring/england-and-wales-classification-and-monitoring/classification-zone-maps ) or a listing is available from the FSA website ( http://www.food.gov.uk/enforcement/monitoring/shellfish/shellharvestareas ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Current Aquaculture Potential layer highlights areas identified through GIS modelling of suitable environmental conditions in the South and East Marine Plan Areas favourable for macroalgae culture, Bivalve Bottom Culture, Finfish Cage, Lobster Restocking, Rope Cultured Bivalve Shellfish or Trestle/Bag Culture of Bivalves in the South and East Coast Marine Plan Areas. This dataset forms part of a wider study assessing different aquaculture potential in the South and East Marine Plan Areas for the Marine Management Organisation, project MMO1040. This dataset was created using the Natural Resource model which forms part of the MMO project 1040 Spatial Trends in Aquaculture Potential in the South and East Coast Inshore and Offshore Marine Plan Areas. The Natural Resource model is made up of three existing environmental datasets: bathymetry derived from the Department of Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Digital Elevation Model (DEM), predicted seabed sediments and combined seabed energy, both from UKSeaMap 2010 (McBreen, et al., 2010). Suitable environmental conditions applied include - low-moderate seabed energy, any sediment type, 10-25 m water depth for current potential and 25-50 m water depth for near future potential). The depth limitations in this instance are based on the industry current reliance on scuba-divers for maintenance and husbandry. It is anticipated that as the industry develops it will become less reliant on divers and be able to move into deeper waters. Note that although the Natural Resource model used the best environmental data available for use in the study, there are significant limitations and gaps. These are outlined below and are discussed in more detail in the final project report: The Natural Resource model does not contain any measure of water quality (e.g. dissolved oxygen, sediment loading or contaminants) and therefore is likely to overestimate the area deemed suitable for aquaculture developments, particularly fin fish cage culture, rope grown bivalve culture and macroalgae culture. The UKSeaMap 2010 predicted seabed sediment map (McBreen, et al., 2010) is modelled at a coarse scale which has led to inaccuracies in the identification of areas which have potential for aquaculture development. UKSeaMap 2010 is known to under-estimate rock habitats because of the type of sampling data (sediment grabs) used to underpin the model. It is recommended that this component of the model is supplemented or replaced by higher resolution sediment maps where they are available for the region of interest. The UKSeaMap 2010 combined seabed energy map included in the model (McBreen, et al., 2010) provides an approximation of the environmental conditions that are likely to limit aquaculture development (e.g. strong currents and large waves) but more accurate results could be obtained by using more precise component datasets such as the maximum wave height and tidal current range, where these datasets are available and the precise limitations of the aquaculture activities of interest are known. The potential for development for the feature is "Current" (0-5 years), "Near Future" (5-10 years) or "Future" (10-20 years), the definitions of which are presented in Table 13 within the main report.

This geophysical survey was carried out under contract for the Marine Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund (MALSF) as part of a Regional Environmental Characterisation, the survey took place from the 8th March to the 18th March 2010. This project is to extend the mapped coverage of the Eastern English Channel Marine Habitat Map (EECMHM) to include the coastal platform from Saltdean east to Dungeness and provide an integrated map dataset covering this extension area The geophysical data was acquired using Surface Tow Boomer and Sidescan sonar equipment. Technical detail of the survey are contained in BGS Open Report OR/10/052.

This dataset details the potential locations for future beneficial use of dredged material within the South marine plan area. Records have been digitised for specific stretches of coast in the South marine plan area from analysis of the SMPs, SSSI condition lists and CCO coastal squeeze analysis. Data outputs from the MMO 1073 project. The aim of this project is to develop data and maps to describe existing sites of coastal works (replenishment, defence, creation), and future sites of requirement and opportunity in the South marine plan areas. The evidence gathered will assist with developing text or a policy and supporting map for the South marine plans that promotes holistic, integrated and sustainable management of the marine area.

These are the boundaries for Marine Conservation Zones, and Highly Protected Marine Areas, which are both designated under the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009). They protect nationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology and geomorphology. Sites were selected in English inshore and offshore waters to protect not just rare and threatened marine wildlife and habitats, but also the range of biodiversity across biogeographic regions. The Highly Protected Marine Areas project followed the recommendations of the Benyon review in 2022 and sites were selected to achieve the full recovery of the marine ecosystem within the site, including the biotic and abiotic elements of the seabed, water column and surface of the sea.This data layer is composed of boundaries for both Marine Conservation Zones and Highly Protected Marine Areas. These boundary polygons were developed by Natural England and JNCC through a process which involved a number of different stages including the gathering and assessment of evidence, site proposals, consultations and refining of boundaries before final site designation. The boundaries have been drawn using the wide variety of evidence which went into this process. Where inshore sites follow the shoreline, they are usually drawn to follow OS Mastermap MHW.Full metadata can be viewed on data.gov.uk.

Natural England's focus areas for each Area Team. The focus areas are typically where Natural England (NE) are targeting more than one delivery programme. So these areas are the key opportunities for Natural England to integrate its delivery to achieve better outcomes. The focus areas are the best picture NE have about where we need to concentrate effort in order to achieve our biodiversity, landscape, access, engagement and other land management objectives. They show where we currently focus more effort. The focus areas are also the best overview we have of future priorities, but this is not yet a perfect picture. We expect this map to evolve. The focus areas are not intended to represent the views or priorities of all the organisations which contribute to natural environment outcomes. However, we have taken account of other Defra partners‟ delivery programmes and also those of some other key partners. We want to have more discussions with partners and stakeholders to hear whether our local delivery offer makes sense in the context of what we are all jointly trying to achieve. The focus areas are a broad guide as to where we anticipate focusing more effort in future; but it should not be interpreted too precisely. We can adjust boundaries locally as makes sense to our delivery programmes or customers. The focus areas capture the majority of our geographically targeted work and especially where different programmes overlap, but each programme will continue to target some of its delivery elsewhere. We want to focus proportionately more of our resource in focus areas and Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs) over time, to maximise the benefits of our limited resource, and make a big difference in certain places, rather than not enough difference everywhere. This is a strong steer, but not a moratorium on projects that are outside focus areas. Small scale investment outside the focus areas, which act as a catalyst or lever for others‟ investment, may be legitimate. We have limited this approach to our terrestrial delivery at the moment. However, we have included many coastal stretches and have taken particular account of where the coast abuts a potential marine designation, to encourage integration with our marine work and to take account of the links with offshore processes such as sediment flow. While the current priority for marine work is the site designation process, we would aspire to develop marine spatial priorities over time.Full metadata can be viewed on data.gov.uk.