2f992ee89b988cf4f43e492c49ed0967 English dataset Data Officer Northwestern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority science@nw-ifca.gov.uk pointOfContact 2021-05-28 MEDIN Discovery metadata standard 2.3.8 urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326 2011 - 2015 North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (NWIFCA) Sabellaria alveolata surveys 2013-12-12 publication 2013-12-12 creation 2013-12-12 revision NWIFCA_SAB http://www.nw-ifca.gov.uk In 2011 the north Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority began to complete surveys of intertidal Sabellaria alveolata (honeycomb worm) reefs in the district. This survey technique was developed initially to assess the reef on Heysham Flat as a tool to investigate the percentage cover and health of Sabellaria aveolata reef, to provide datasets to inform mussel management and to provide data to Morecambe Bay EMS Management Group on condition of the reef. This reef was surveyed annually from 2011-15. In addition this survey was used in other areas, particularly at Dubmill Point in Cumbria. The surveys recorded the percentage cover of S. alveolata as well as other ground cover types and classified the form and health of the growth. Evidence from the annuals surveys showed that there was continuous competition for space on the cobble and boulder reef between substantial mussel settlements and the worms, both of which proved to be ephemeral in nature. This competition was found to be the main driving force behind the health and distribution of the Sabellaria alveolata. Observations continue to be made on this relationship during regular mussel inspections carried out for fisheries management purposes. Northwestern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority North Western IFCA dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk originator Data Officer Northwestern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority science@nw-ifca.gov.uk custodian annually Delimited Documents Geographic Information System Image Marine Environmental Data and Information Network NDGO0005 Habitats and biotopes Species distribution GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2008-01-06 revision Macroalgae generic abundance in water bodies Zoobenthos generic abundance Fauna abundance per unit area of the bed Habitat extent Habitat characterisation Zooplankton and zoobenthos physiological condition parameters SeaDataNet P021 parameter discovery vocabulary 2009-11-16 revision Data is freely available for research or commercial use providing that the originators are acknowledged in any publications produced. A charge may be applied to cover costs of compiling and sending data. otherRestrictions No restrictions to public access 50 English biota biota Charting Progress 2 Sea Areas 2009-06-18 creation Irish Sea -3.2116 -3.1960 54.0346 54.0437 -3.6982 -2.5776 53.1788 54.9642 2011-06-16 2011-06-16 Northwestern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority North Western IFCA dassh.enquiries@mba.ac.uk distributor dataset Areas are surveyed using a 50 m grid of points uploaded onto a handheld GPS. If a grid from previous surveys is unavailable then a walkover survey is required first in order to produce this grid. At each survey station a 0.5 m2 quadrat is place randomly within 2 m of the station. Percentage cover of the following ground cover types is recorded: mussels (adult and 0 year class seed), mussel mud, shell, sand, bare rock, bare cobble/stone, algae, whether it’s lying in a pool rendering it impossible to assess, or other. Then of the total Sabellaria alveolata present in the quadrat the percentage of each formation type (patchy, sheet, hummock or reef) and health (dead, worn apertures, crisp apertures or newly settled) is recorded. Guidance sheets with pictures are used to aid in classification. Photographs of the whole quadrat and close ups of the S. aveolata in that quadrat are taken for validation purposes. If Sabellaria is present outside on the predetermined grid, additional survey points can be taken and recorded. Raw data can be analysed to produce GIS maps of the data and some reports are available.