Entec to Investigate Potential Marine SACs for Natural England

Entec is working with Natural England to investigate potential marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in the UK, broadly within the 0-12 nautical mile zone off England. There are seven areas of search currently under investigation, of which Entec is specifically looking at two, the Outer Wash sandbanks and the Greater Thames Estuary. Entec is supported in this work by Envision, a specialist marine survey and mapping company.

The project involves collating existing site data from previous surveys and undertaking new survey work for areas where the data is sparse. Using GIS and the habitat data available, Entec and Envision are modelling the habitats of the areas of search in order to identify areas which have the potential to be designated as SACs as a result of the habitat types they contain.

The project involves identifying and assessing potential areas of qualifying habitat under the European Habitats Directive, and carrying out an analysis of the human activity in the area in order to identify key stakeholders and the potential effects of human activity on the habitat. The reports produced will assist Natural England in the submission of possible SAC sites to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and Defra for consultation and future designation.

Entec’s project manager Anne Savage said: “We are delighted that Entec has been awarded this opportunity to work at the cutting edge of the extension of the Natura 2000 into the UK’s offshore waters. It is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate Entec’s capabilities in marine consultancy, and to strengthen our partnership with Envision, acknowledged leaders in the field of marine habitat mapping.

” Leigh Jones, project manager at Natural England commented: “Identifying additional SACs out to 12 nautical miles will provide us with the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the habitats present in our more offshore waters and as such will allow the application of appropriate protection measures. These sites will form an integral part of the UK network of Marine Protected Areas planned by 2012.”

For further information, please contact Entec’s project manager Anne Savage anne.savage@entecuk.co.uk

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