ATLANTIC_CH07_Product_2 / Damage to seafloor to both living and non-living components

The impact of fishing on benthic habitats has previously been investigated however; a conclusive classification of potentially sensitive habitats per gear type does not exist. Currently only qualitative estimates of fishery impact using Broad-scale habitat maps are possible. Here a sensitivity matrix using both fishing pressure (fishing Intensity) and habitat sensitivity is employed to define habitat disturbance categories. The predominant fishing activities associated with physical abrasion of the seafloor area are from bottom contacting towed fishing gear. The swept area of the aforementioned gear in contact with the seabed is generally considered a function of gear width, vessel speed and fishing effort (ICES. 2015). The varying characteristics of fishing gear, their interaction with the sea floor and species being targeted; provide scope for differing interactions with subsurface (infaunal) and surface (epifaunal) dwelling communities. An evaluation of the abrasion pressure and habitat sensitivity split into surface and subsurface pressure allows greater insight to the ecological effects. Fishing intensity was calculated annually and based on the area of sea floor being swept (or swept area ratio SAR) by gear type. Calculations are based on SAR’s of gear types per area, per year. Fishing pressure ranks and habitat sensitivity ranks obtained from WGSFD working group (01 WGSFD - Report of the Working Group on Spatial Fisheries Data 2015) can be incorporated within a GIS environment to existing ICES fisheries data to provide habitat disturbance maps (fishing pressure maps+ habitat sensitivity maps)

ICES. 2015. Report of the Working Group on Spatial Fisheries Data (WGSFD), 8–12

June 2015, ICES Headquarters, Copenhagen, Denmark. ICES CM 2015/SSGEPI:18. 150

pp.

Identification info

Date (Creation): 2018-02-27

Citation identifier: DOI:10.12770/d3c8b0f4-855d-4006-b0f0-77d50ff66acc

Issue identification: Not Applicable

Purpose: Production of map layers showing the extent of the fisheries impact on the sea floor, To evidence the fitness for use of the current available marine datasets, as well as to point out gaps in the current Emodnet Data Collection Framework.

Point of contact

Organisation	Electronic mail address	Role
Marine Institute	Paul.Coleman@marine.ie	Point of contact
EMODnet Atlantic Checkpoint	back-end-atlantic-ckpt@cls.fr	Publisher
Marine Institute	Paul.Coleman@marine.ie	Author

Spatial representation type: Vector

Topic category

Oceans

Extent

Time period: 2009 2015

Vertical element

Minimum value: 0

Maximum value: 1000

Used by challenges

Atlantic - CH07 - Fisheries Impact

Processing level of characteristics

High level analyzed

Production mode

Delayed

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0

Sea regions

Validation

Approved

Resource constraints

Use constraints: Other restrictions

Other constraints: This EMODnet Atlantic Checkpoint data product (the “Product”) is the result of a “challenge” stress test specified by the call for tenders No MARE/2012/11. The challenge partners ( "the producer") were commissioned to perform a number of tests to evaluate marine data according to set user requirements. This product and any resultant data and metadata produced is a consequence of these tests and provided for interest only. The Product is provided on an “as is” basis, and the producer disclaims any and all warranties, conditions, or representations (express, implied, oral or written), relating to the Product or any part thereof, including, without limitation, any and all implied warranties of quality, performance, suitability or fitness for a particular purpose to the full extent permitted by law. The Producer and the Atlantic Checkpoint partners accept no liability for loss suffered or incurred as a result of reliance on the Product or any output of its use. The Producer shall not be liable for any economic loss, loss of profit, loss of business or contract, depletion of goodwill or otherwise, in each case whether direct, or indirect or any indirect loss whatsoever (howsoever caused) including loss or damage suffered as a result of an action brought by any person which arise out of or in connection with the use of the Product or inability to use the Product

Resource constraints

Use limitation: Limited: The product fails in most aspects to meet the objectives but meet some.

Use limitation: This assessment is based on a categorical approach, as quantifiable methodologies describing fisheries impact to the seafloor are under development. A sensitivity matrix was prepared using fishing pressure and habitat sensitivity data; combining both layers into an impact layer. VMS and logbook data requested from ICES member Countries as part of OSPAR’s development of fishing intensity and pressure mapping advice in EU waters. In total 11 countries provided complete data that could be used for assessment. Impact maps can only replicate submitted data; 5 countries failed to submit data, resulting in possible underestimation of intensity where these vessels operate. There are substantial fleets of smaller vessels not equipped with VMS (<12m), or Logbooks (<10m EU fleet) which operate in the coastal zone or near shore waters that are not captured in the data requests. Further investigations are needed as many of these vessels may not employ towed bottom gears. Fishing intensity calculations require fishing hours, vessel speed and gear width in contact with the sea floor. In some cases fishing speed was not always supplied in the logbook entries; resulting in averaged supplied fishing speeds being employed. The surface (<2cm) and subsurface (>2cm) penetration depths are characterised as being equal across all substratum types; care should be taken with this assumption as actual depths may vary with substrate type. Further assessment of FAO fishing areas 21, 31, and 34 (Atlantic Northwest, Atlantic Western Central, and Atlantic Eastern Central) could not be concluded due to a lack of VMS and Log book data. Further investigations of Habitat classifications in these areas were not explored.

Associated resource

Association Type: Cross reference

Initiative Type: specification

Metadata Reference

ATLANTIC_CH07_Specification_2 / Damage to seafloor to both living and non-living components

Associated resource

Association Type: Cross reference

Initiative Type: upstreamData

Metadata Reference

Habitat extent | Distribution of EUNIS Habitats | | Broad-scale habitat map (EUSeaMap) including classified habitat descriptors and confidence (updated 15th June 2017)

Associated resource

Association Type: Cross reference

Initiative Type: upstreamData

Metadata Reference

Fishing effort | High Resolution VMS & ERS (Logbook) Fishing Intensity Data | | OSPAR mapping fishing intensity and effort outputs 2016

Associated resource

Association Type: Cross reference

Initiative Type: upstreamData

Metadata Reference

Fish and shellfish catch statistics | Regional Capture Fisheries Statistics FAO Major Fishing Area 34 | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | Statistical Query Results

Associated resource

Association Type: Cross reference

Initiative Type: upstreamData

Metadata Reference

Fish and shellfish catch statistics | Regional Capture Fisheries Statistics FAO Major Fishing Areas 21&31 | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | Statistical Query Results

Language: English

Character encoding: UTF8

Distribution Information

Distribution format

ESRI Shapefile

OnLine resource: Publication Reports : Data outputs
Data linked to ICES Publication reports

OnLine resource: EMODnet Spatial Data Downloads
Main habitat data products available for download

OnLine resource: DOI of the product
DOI of the product

OnLine resource: CH07_product_02
Product visualization

OnLine resource: Access to the website

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