Paul Eastwood, Stuart Rogers, Carla Houghton, Craig Mills, and John Aldridge

Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)Lowestoft, UK

Assessment of Pressure from Human Activities on Marine Landscapes

UK Workshop on the project ‘Mapping European Seabed Habitats (MESH)’19 October 2006, City Conference Centre, London

Human activities

• Diversity of human activities that interact with the seabed in UK offshore waters:

– Oil and gas exploration & drilling

– Marine mineral dredging

– Fishing

– Windfarms

– Dredge material disposal

• Each exerts one or more different types of pressure…

Pressure categoriesCategory Type Example sources

Physical loss Smothering Obstruction

Waste disposal, oil & gas cuttings piles Permanent constructions (oil & gas

infrastructure, windfarms, cables) & wrecks

Physical damage Siltation Abrasion Extraction

Screening plumes from aggregate dredging Windfarm scour pits Aggregate dredging

Non-physical disturbance

Noise Visual

Boat activity, seismic Recreational activity

Toxic contamination

Introduction of synthetic compounds Introduction of non-synthetic

compounds Introduction of radionuclides

Pesticides, antifoulants Heavy metals, hydrocarbons Nuclear energy industry

Non-toxic contamination

Nutrient enrichment Organic enrichment Changes in thermal regime Changes in turbidity Changes in salinity

Agricultural run-off, outfalls Mariculture, outfalls Outfalls, power stations Run-off, dredging Water abstraction, outfalls

Biological disturbance

Introduction of microbial pathogens Introduction of non-native species

and translocations Selective extraction of species

Aquaculture Ballast water

Commercial fishing

Taken from proposal for a EU marine strategy directive

Pressure by marine landscapes

Pressure assessment

• Aim was to estimate direct pressure on the seabed from all major offshore human activities and the extent to which marine landscapes are affected

• Spatial extent = England and Wales waters

• Time period = 2004

• Measure of ‘pressure’ = spatial extent or ‘footprint’ of the activity

• Did not estimate intensity of pressure – presence/absence only

Methodology

1. Obtained spatial data for human activities

2. Where necessary, estimated location of activity

3. Where necessary, estimated spatial extent of associated pressure(s)

MethodologyPhysical damage - extraction

X

X

1. Obtained spatial data for human activities

2. Where necessary, estimated location of activity

3. Where necessary, estimated spatial extent of associated pressure(s)

Methodology

1. Obtained spatial data for human activities

2. Where necessary, estimated location of activity

3. Where necessary, estimated spatial extent of associated pressure(s)

X

Physical damage - siltation

Confidence rating

• Degree to which pressure estimates derived from georeferenced observations or estimates of location and/or extent

1 = estimated location and extent

2 = known location, estimated extent

3 = known location and extent

Spatial extent of pressurePressure

Human activityConfidence

rating

England & Wales

Category Type Area km2 % total area

Physical loss Obstruction Oil and gas fixed infrastructure (platforms, well, and pipelines)

2-3 5.4 <0.1

Cables 2 3.8 <0.1

Windfarm monopiles and scour protection

3 <0.1 <0.1

Wrecks 2 4.3 <0.1

Total 2 13.5 <0.1

Physical loss Smothering Oil and gas cuttings piles 2 923.6 0.4

Waste disposal 2 126.2 <0.1

Total 2 1 049.8 0.4

Physical damage Abrasion Windfarm scour pits 2 0.7 <0.1

Physical damage Extraction Aggregate extraction - direct removal

3 134.5 0.1

Physical damage Siltation Aggregate extraction - plumes 2 2 994.8 1.2

Biological disturbance Selective extraction

Fishing with mobile seabed gear 1-2 13 901.9(55 503.9)

5.4(21.4)

Spatial extent of pressurePressure

Human activityConfidence

rating

England & Wales

Category Type Area km2 % total area

Physical loss Obstruction Oil and gas fixed infrastructure (platforms, well, and pipelines)

2-3 5.4 <0.1

Cables 2 3.8 <0.1

Windfarm monopiles and scour protection

3 <0.1 <0.1

Wrecks 2 4.3 <0.1

Total 2 13.5 <0.1

Physical loss Smothering Oil and gas cuttings piles 2 923.6 0.4

Waste disposal 2 126.2 <0.1

Total 2 1 049.8 0.4

Physical damage Abrasion Windfarm scour pits 2 0.7 <0.1

Physical damage Extraction Aggregate extraction - direct removal

3 134.5 0.1

Physical damage Siltation Aggregate extraction - plumes 2 2 994.8 1.2

Biological disturbance Selective extraction

Fishing with mobile seabed gear 1-2 13 901.9(55 503.9)

5.4(21.4)

Spatial extent of pressurePressure

Human activityConfidence

rating

England & Wales

Category Type Area km2 % total area

Physical loss Obstruction Oil and gas fixed infrastructure (platforms, well, and pipelines)

2-3 5.4 <0.1

Cables 2 3.8 <0.1

Windfarm monopiles and scour protection

3 <0.1 <0.1

Wrecks 2 4.3 <0.1

Total 2 13.5 <0.1

Physical loss Smothering Oil and gas cuttings piles 2 923.6 0.4

Waste disposal 2 126.2 <0.1

Total 2 1 049.8 0.4

Physical damage Abrasion Windfarm scour pits 2 0.7 <0.1

Physical damage Extraction Aggregate extraction - direct removal

3 134.5 0.1

Physical damage Siltation Aggregate extraction - plumes 2 2 994.8 1.2

Biological disturbance Selective extraction

Fishing with mobile seabed gear 1-2 13 901.9(55 503.9)

5.4(21.4)

Spatial extent of pressurePressure

Human activityConfidence

rating

England & Wales

Category Type Area km2 % total area

Physical loss Obstruction Oil and gas fixed infrastructure (platforms, well, and pipelines)

2-3 5.4 <0.1

Cables 2 3.8 <0.1

Windfarm monopiles and scour protection

3 <0.1 <0.1

Wrecks 2 4.3 <0.1

Total 2 13.5 <0.1

Physical loss Smothering Oil and gas cuttings piles 2 923.6 0.4

Waste disposal 2 126.2 <0.1

Total 2 1 049.8 0.4

Physical damage Abrasion Windfarm scour pits 2 0.7 <0.1

Physical damage Extraction Aggregate extraction - direct removal

3 134.5 0.1

Physical damage Siltation Aggregate extraction - plumes 2 2 994.8 1.2

Biological disturbance Selective extraction

Fishing with mobile seabed gear 1-2 13 901.9(55 503.9)

5.4(21.4)

Spatial extent of pressurePressure

Human activityConfidence

rating

England & Wales

Category Type Area km2 % total area

Physical loss Obstruction Oil and gas fixed infrastructure (platforms, well, and pipelines)

2-3 5.4 <0.1

Cables 2 3.8 <0.1

Windfarm monopiles and scour protection

3 <0.1 <0.1

Wrecks 2 4.3 <0.1

Total 2 13.5 <0.1

Physical loss Smothering Oil and gas cuttings piles 2 923.6 0.4

Waste disposal 2 126.2 <0.1

Total 2 1 049.8 0.4

Physical damage Abrasion Windfarm scour pits 2 0.7 <0.1

Physical damage Extraction Aggregate extraction - direct removal

3 134.5 0.1

Physical damage Siltation Aggregate extraction - plumes 2 2 994.8 1.2

Biological disturbance Selective extraction

Fishing with mobile seabed gear 1-2 13 901.9(55 503.9)

5.4(21.4)

Spatial extent of pressurePressure

Human activityConfidence

rating

England & Wales

Category Type Area km2 % total area

Physical loss Obstruction Oil and gas fixed infrastructure (platforms, well, and pipelines)

2-3 5.4 <0.1

Cables 2 3.8 <0.1

Windfarm monopiles and scour protection

3 <0.1 <0.1

Wrecks 2 4.3 <0.1

Total 2 13.5 <0.1

Physical loss Smothering Oil and gas cuttings piles 2 923.6 0.4

Waste disposal 2 126.2 <0.1

Total 2 1 049.8 0.4

Physical damage Abrasion Windfarm scour pits 2 0.7 <0.1

Physical damage Extraction Aggregate extraction - direct removal

3 134.5 0.1

Physical damage Siltation Aggregate extraction - plumes 2 2 994.8 1.2

Biological disturbance Selective extraction

Fishing with mobile seabed gear 1-2 13 901.9(55 503.9)

5.4(21.4)

Proportion

0.0001

0.0005

0.001

0.005

0.01

0.05

0.1

0.5

1.0

Smothering

SiltationAbrasionObstruction

ExtractionSelective extraction

Proportion of seabed affected

Areaaffected (%)

0.01

0.1

1.0

10

100

50%

Pressure (%) by landscapeLandscape Name

Selective Extraction Abrasion Extraction Obstruction Siltation Smothering

Aphotic rock 1.4 0 0.10 0.01 7.22 0.04Barrier beach 0 0 0 0.02 0 0Bay 0.1 0 0 0.01 0 0.21Canyon 0.3 0 0 0 0 0Embayment 0.1 0 0 0.05 0 0Estuary 0 0 0.12 0.02 4.49 0.51Lagoon 0 0 0 0 0 0Photic rock 2.2 0 0 0.02 0 0Ria 0.1 0 0 0.04 0 0Shallow coarse sediment plain - moderate tide stress 2.1 0 0.33 0.01 6.55 0.48Shallow coarse sediment plain - strong tide stress 1.2 0 0.52 0.01 6.84 0.14Shallow coarse sediment plain - weak tide stress 7.0 0 0.02 0 0.54 0.62Shallow mixed sediment plain - moderate tide stress 2.0 0 0.12 0.01 2.80 0.48Shallow mixed sediment plain - strong tide stress 2.6 0 0 0.01 0.05 0.10Shallow mixed sediment plain - weak tide stress 2.6 0.01 0 0.01 0 0.70Shallow mud plain 0.8 0 0 0.01 0.55 0.88Shallow sand plain 4.5 0 0.06 0.01 1.26 0.90Shelf coarse sediment plain - moderate tide stress 3.1 0 0.13 0.01 3.91 0.34Shelf coarse sediment plain - strong tide stress 1.0 0 0.21 0.01 3.52 0.01Shelf coarse sediment plain - weak tide stress 22.9 0 0 0 0 0.09Shelf mixed sediment plain - moderate tide stress 2.1 0 0.06 0.01 4.90 0.04Shelf mixed sediment plain - strong tide stress 1.8 0 0 0 2.55 0.41Shelf mixed sediment plain - weak tide stress 8.0 0 0 0.01 0 0.27Shelf mound or pinnacle 0.7 0 0 0 0 0Shelf mud plain 2.6 0 0 0 0 0.09Shelf sand plain 5.3 0 0 0 0.19 0.34Shelf trough 2.8 0 0 0 0.30 1.11Sound 0 0 0 0.05 0 0Subtidal sediment bank 1.6 0 0 0 0.38 2.28Warm deep-water coarse sediment plain 1.2 0 0 0 0 0Warm deep-water sand plain 0.8 0 0 0 0 0

Total for E&W waters 5.4 <0.1 0.1 <0.1 1.2 0.4

Pressure (%) by landscapeLandscape Name

Selective Extraction Abrasion Extraction Obstruction Siltation Smothering

Aphotic rock 1.4 0 0.10 0.01 7.22 0.04Barrier beach 0 0 0 0.02 0 0Bay 0.1 0 0 0.01 0 0.21Canyon 0.3 0 0 0 0 0Embayment 0.1 0 0 0.05 0 0Estuary 0 0 0.12 0.02 4.49 0.51Lagoon 0 0 0 0 0 0Photic rock 2.2 0 0 0.02 0 0Ria 0.1 0 0 0.04 0 0Shallow coarse sediment plain - moderate tide stress 2.1 0 0.33 0.01 6.55 0.48Shallow coarse sediment plain - strong tide stress 1.2 0 0.52 0.01 6.84 0.14Shallow coarse sediment plain - weak tide stress 7.0 0 0.02 0 0.54 0.62Shallow mixed sediment plain - moderate tide stress 2.0 0 0.12 0.01 2.80 0.48Shallow mixed sediment plain - strong tide stress 2.6 0 0 0.01 0.05 0.10Shallow mixed sediment plain - weak tide stress 2.6 0.01 0 0.01 0 0.70Shallow mud plain 0.8 0 0 0.01 0.55 0.88Shallow sand plain 4.5 0 0.06 0.01 1.26 0.90Shelf coarse sediment plain - moderate tide stress 3.1 0 0.13 0.01 3.91 0.34Shelf coarse sediment plain - strong tide stress 1.0 0 0.21 0.01 3.52 0.01Shelf coarse sediment plain - weak tide stress 22.9 0 0 0 0 0.09Shelf mixed sediment plain - moderate tide stress 2.1 0 0.06 0.01 4.90 0.04Shelf mixed sediment plain - strong tide stress 1.8 0 0 0 2.55 0.41Shelf mixed sediment plain - weak tide stress 8.0 0 0 0.01 0 0.27Shelf mound or pinnacle 0.7 0 0 0 0 0Shelf mud plain 2.6 0 0 0 0 0.09Shelf sand plain 5.3 0 0 0 0.19 0.34Shelf trough 2.8 0 0 0 0.30 1.11Sound 0 0 0 0.05 0 0Subtidal sediment bank 1.6 0 0 0 0.38 2.28Warm deep-water coarse sediment plain 1.2 0 0 0 0 0Warm deep-water sand plain 0.8 0 0 0 0 0

Total for E&W waters 5.4 <0.1 0.1 <0.1 1.2 0.4

Pressure (%) by landscape

Pressure (%)

>0

100

No pressure

Selective extraction pressure onShelf coarse sediment plain - weak tide stress

Summary

• Geospatial data for human activities can be used to estimate pressure on marine landscapes

• Understanding pressures by landscapes could help in:

– designing MPA networks

– setting management objectives

• Next steps:

– pressure intensity

– time series assessment