Scottish Offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) - fisheries management measures: fisheries assessment – East Rockall Bank SAC

2. Part A assessment – Fisheries screening

2.1 Fisheries screening overview

Part A of this assessment meets the ‘likely significant effect (LSE)’ test under Article 6(3) of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (the Habitats Directive); for sites within the offshore region under Regulation 28 of the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. The test for likely significant effect under Regulation 28(2)(b) of the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 is not required for activities which are directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site. Fishing activities are not considered to be directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site unless otherwise indicated.

In line with the guidance within EU Commission guidance on the Assessment of plans and projects significantly affecting Natura 2000 sites; a methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6 (3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, this assessment considers an LSE as any effect that may reasonably be predicted as a consequence of a plan or project that would negatively and significantly affect the conservation objectives established for the protected habitats and species of the site. If any likely significant effect of a plan or project cannot be excluded beyond reasonable doubt, then a full appropriate assessment should be undertaken.

In Part A of this assessment the pressure-feature interactions were assessed to determine the potential for LSE and risk to the conservation objectives. This section looks at the pressures exerted by the fishing activity occurring in the site (within the assessment period) in relation to the sensitivities of the protected features. The potential for an LSE was identified where there was both a medium-high risk of a pressure arising from the fishing activity and if any of the features were considered sensitive to that pressure. These pressure-features interactions were then taken forward to the appropriate assessment stage (Part B) to determine whether the plan or project would have an adverse impact on site integrity.

For each activity assessed in Part A, there were two possible outcomes for each identified pressure-feature interaction:

1. The pressure-feature interactions were not included for Part B:

• If the feature is not exposed to the pressure, and is not likely to be in the future; or
• If the effect/impact of the pressure is not likely to be significant.

2. The pressure-feature interactions were included for assessment in Part B:

• If the feature is exposed to the pressure, or is it likely to be in the future; and
• If the potential scale or magnitude of any effect is likely to be significant; or
• If it is not possible to determine whether the magnitude of any effect is likely to be significant.

Part B of the assessment aligns with the requirements for an Appropriate Assessment under the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) considers the potential impact to site integrity by assessing the impact of fishing gears identified in Part A. This involves determining the potential level of interaction between the feature and the fishing activity, assessing the potential impact on the feature, and subsequently if fishing activities are liable to affect the conservation objectives of the site and thus the integrity of the site.

Consideration of exposure to and the effect of a pressure on a protected feature of the SAC includes the consideration of exposure to and the effect of that pressure on any ecological or geomorphological process on which the conservation of the protected feature is wholly or in part dependant.

The JNCC conservation advice package and the Fisheries Management Options Paper for East Rockall Bank SAC have been used to inform this assessment. These are the most recent package and options paper available.

Where appropriate, this advice has been supplemented by information on the pressures associated with fishing activity from the JNCC Marine Pressures-Activities Database (PAD) v1.5 2022.

2.2 Activities taking place within East Rockall Bank SAC

To screen out fishing activities that were not taking place within the site or unlikely to take place in the future, vessel monitoring system (VMS) data within East Rockall Bank SAC from 2015 to 2019 were analysed to identify the gear types being used in the site and the aggregated gear method (Table 2). The gear types identified from 2015 to 2019 VMS data align with those included in the East Rockall Bank SAC Conservation Advice package from the JNCC Site Information Centre. The fishing gears screened out at this stage were not taken forward to Part B of the assessment.

Table 2. Gear types recorded from the site based on VMS data from 2015 to 2019.

Gear type

Towed

Specific Gear Type

Bottom otter trawl

Gear code

OTB

Aggregated gear method

Demersal trawls

Gear type

Towed

Specific Gear Type

Multi-rig trawls

Gear code

OTT

Aggregated gear method

Demersal trawls

Gear type

Towed

Specific Gear Type

Anchor seine

Gear code

SDN

Aggregated gear method

Demersal seines

Gear type

Static- fixed nets

Specific Gear Type

AncSet gillnets

Gear code

GNS

Aggregated gear method

Anchored nets/lines

2.3 Potential pressures exerted by site fishing activity on protected features

The potential pressures that could be exerted by fishing activities considered capable of affecting the Annex I reef feature (demersal trawls, demersal seines and set gillnets) were determined using information on activity-pressure relationships in the JNCC Marine Pressures-Activities Database (PAD) v1.5 2022. The potential pressures that could be exerted by demersal trawls, demersal seines, boat dredges, and static traps are summarised in Table 3.

Within the PAD, the above water noise and collision above water pressures both had low risk profiles for all fishing activity types, however these were not considered capable of affecting the reef feature and were excluded.

Table 3. Potential pressures from the JNCC Marine Pressures-Activities Database (PAD) v1.5 2022 and their risk profiling of pressures score, based on the general risk the pressures pose to the environment under normal conditions. The features are categorised as having High Sensitivity (dark blue), Medium Sensitivity (dark blue), Sensitive (light blue), Not Sensitive (white), Not Exposed (white), Not Assessed (white), and Unknown (white). Further details on these categories are available in the associated methods document.

PAD Pressure

Transition elements and organo-metal (e.g. TBT) contamination. Includes those priority substances listed in Annex II of Directive 2008/105/EC

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Low

PAD Pressure

Hydrocarbon and PAH contamination. Includes those priority substances listed in Annex II of Directive 2008/105/EC.

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Low

PAD Pressure

Synthetic compound contamination (incl. pesticides, antifoulants, pharmaceuticals). Includes those priority substances listed in Annex II of Directive 2008/105/EC.

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Low

PAD Pressure

Deoxygenation

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Low

PAD Pressure

Nutrient enrichment

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Not Relevant

PAD Pressure

Organic enrichment

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Low

PAD Pressure

Physical change (to another seabed type)

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Not relevant

PAD Pressure

Physical change (to another sediment type)

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Not relevant

PAD Pressure

Abrasion/disturbance of the substrate on the surface of the seabed

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Medium-high

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Medium-high

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Medium-high

PAD Pressure

Penetration and/or disturbance of the substrate below the surface of the seabed, including abrasion

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Medium-high

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Medium-high

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Low

PAD Pressure

Changes in suspended solids (water clarity)

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Medium-high

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Medium-high

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Not relevant

PAD Pressure

Smothering and siltation rate changes (Light)

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Medium-high

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Medium-high

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Not relevant

PAD Pressure

Litter

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Low

PAD Pressure

Underwater noise changes

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Low

PAD Pressure

Introduction of light

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Low

PAD Pressure

Barrier to species movement

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Not relevant

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Not relevant

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Low

PAD Pressure

Collision BELOW water with static or moving objects not naturally found in the marine environment (e.g. boats, machinery and structures)

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Low

PAD Pressure

Visual disturbance

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Low

PAD Pressure

Introduction or spread of invasive non-indigenous species (INIS)

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Low

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Low

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Low

PAD Pressure

Removal of target species

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Medium-high

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Medium-high

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Medium-high

PAD Pressure

Removal of non-target species

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls

Medium-high

Fishing activity –Demersal seines

Medium-high

Fishing activity –Anchored nets/lines: Set (fixed) net fishing)

Medium-high

2.4 Significance of effects/impacts to protected features

To determine whether each pressure is likely to have a significant effect on the site’s features, the sensitivity assessments and risk profiling of pressures from the JNCC conservation advice package and the JNCC Marine Pressures-Activities Database (PAD) v1.5 2022 were used. The Annex I Reefs subtypes are assessed separately due to the differences in sensitivity to various pressures and activities.

Table 4 identifies the pressures from particular gears that could have a likely significant effect on each feature. Where a pressure from a particular gear is identified as not having a likely significant effect on a feature, justification is provided. To ensure the effects of fishing activities in-combination with other activities (including other fishing activities) are fully assessed, the pressures from fishing activities which were not identified as having a likely significant effect but which do interact with the feature are considered in the in-combination aspect of the assessment (Part C).

Table 4. Extract of the Advice on Operations for East Rockall Bank SAC, showing the pressures from mobile demersal fishing (demersal trawl and demersal seine) and anchored nets/line activities and the potential sensitivity of the protected feature. Pressures are categorised as Not Relevant (white), Not Assessed (white), High sensitivity (dark blue), Sensitive (dark blue), Not Sensitive (light blue), or Insufficient Evidence (white).

Potential pressures: Above water noise

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Not relevant

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Not relevant

Potential pressures: Abrasion/disturbance of the substrate on the surface of the seabed

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Sensitive

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Sensitive

Potential pressures: Barrier to species movement

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Not relevant

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Not relevant

Potential pressures: Changes in suspended solids (water clarity)**

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Not Sensitive

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Not relevant

Potential pressures: Collision ABOVE water with static or moving objects not naturally found in the marine environment (e.g., boats, machinery, and structures)

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Not relevant

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Not relevant

Potential pressures: Collision BELOW water with static or moving objects not naturally found in the marine environment (e.g., boats, machinery, and structures)

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Not relevant

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Not relevant

Potential pressures: Deoxygenation

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Not sensitive

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Not sensitive

Potential pressures: Hydrocarbon and PAH contamination. Includes those priority substances listed in Annex II of Directive 2008/105/EC.

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Insufficient evidence

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Insufficient evidence

Potential pressures: Introduction of light

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Not assessed

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Not assessed

Potential pressures: Introduction or spread of non-indigenous species

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Not assessed

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Sensitive

Potential pressures: Litter

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Insufficient evidence

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Not assessed

Potential pressures: Nutrient enrichment**

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Not sensitive

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Not sensitive

Potential pressures: Organic enrichment

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Sensitive

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Sensitive

Potential pressures: Penetration and/or disturbance of the substrate below the surface of the seabed, including abrasion

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Sensitive

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Sensitive

Potential pressures: Physical change (to another seabed type)**

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Sensitive

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Sensitive

Physical change (to another sediment type)

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Unknown

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Sensitive

Removal of non-target species

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Sensitive

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Sensitive

Potential pressures: Removal of target species

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Not assessed

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Sensitive

Potential pressures: Siltation rate changes (Low), including smothering (depth of vertical sediment overburden)**

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Sensitive

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Sensitive

Potential pressures: Synthetic compound contamination (incl. pesticides, antifoulants, pharmaceuticals). Includes those priority substances listed in Annex II of Directive 2008/105/EC.

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Insufficient evidence

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Insufficient evidence

Potential pressures: Transition elements and organo-metal (e.g. TBT) contamination. Includes those priority substances listed in Annex II of Directive 2008/105/EC.

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Insufficient evidence

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Insufficient evidence

Potential pressures: Underwater noise changes

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Not sensitive

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Not sensitive

Potential pressures: Visual disturbance

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Biogenic reef – Cold-water coral:

Not relevant

Protected features –

Annex I Reefs: Stony and bedrock reef – Deep-sea bed*:

Not relevant

*The information provided here is based on sensitivity assessments for deep-sea bed habitat, which is the best available information at this time.

**Pressure not applicable for anchored nets/lines.

Considering both the information on the pressure activity association (Table 3) and the sensitivity of the reef feature (Table 4), pressures with the potential to cause likely significant effects are summarised in Table 5.

Pressures that are not relevant to demersal trawls, demersal seines, and anchored nets/longlines (pressures that are not exerted by that fishing activity: ‘not relevant to the activity’ in Table 5) do not need to be considered further in the assessment. According to the PAD methods document, pressures with low risk profiles (i.e. ‘low risk profile for the activity’: Table 3) generally do not occur at a level of concern and should not require consideration as part of an assessment, unless there are evidence-based case or site-specific factors that increase the risk, or there is uncertainty on the level of pressure on a receptor. Pressures with ‘medium-high’ risk profiles are commonly induced by the activity at a level that needs to be considered further as part of an assessment.

Pressures that were not relevant to the feature, do not need to be considered further in the assessment (Table 5). Pressures where the feature was ‘not sensitive’ (Table 4) can also be screened out. Any pressures that do not have a sensitivity assessment (either ‘not assessed’ or ‘no evidence’) should be considered as this does not mean that the feature is not sensitive, only that there is insufficient evidence to make an assessment.

Pressures with a medium-high risk profile in PAD and to which the Advice on Operations identified the feature as being sensitive would meet the definition of a likely significant effect (“any effect that may reasonably be predicted as a consequence of a plan or project that would negatively and significantly affect the conservation objectives established for the habitats and species significantly present on the site”: EU Commission, 2021). Of the pressures considered, there are five which have medium-high risk profiles and to which the feature is sensitive (Table 5); abrasion/disturbance of the substrate on the surface of the seabed; penetration and/or disturbance of the substrate below the surface of the seabed, including abrasion; smothering and siltation rate changes (light); removal of non-target species and removal of target species.

These five pressures are subsequently considered to have the potential to have likely significant effects (LSE) on the Annex I reef feature. These pressures are exerted by all three fishing activity types assessed: demersal trawls, demersal seines, and anchored nets/lines.

Table 5. Summary of pressures that have the potential to cause likely significant effects, based on pressure-activity associations and sensitivity of the Annex I habitat. Pressures with the potential to cause likely significant effects are in dark blue.

Potential pressure: Transition elements and organo-metal (e.g. TBT) contamination. Includes those priority substances listed in Annex II of Directive 2008/105/EC

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – insufficient evidence to assess sensitivity, but low risk profile for activity.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – insufficient evidence to assess sensitivity, but low risk profile for activity.

Potential pressure: Hydrocarbon and PAH contamination. Includes those priority substances listed in Annex II of Directive 2008/105/EC.

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – insufficient evidence to assess sensitivity, but low risk profile for activity.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – insufficient evidence to assess sensitivity, but low risk profile for activity.

Potential pressure: Synthetic compound contamination (incl. pesticides, antifoulants, pharmaceuticals). Includes those priority substances listed in Annex II of Directive 2008/105/EC.

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – insufficient evidence to assess sensitivity, but low risk profile for activity.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – insufficient evidence to assess sensitivity, but low risk profile for activity.

Potential pressure: Deoxygenation

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – feature is not sensitive and the pressure has a low risk profile for the activity.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – feature is not sensitive and the pressure has a low risk profile for the activity.

Potential pressure: Nutrient enrichment

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – low risk profile for demersal trawls and seines and feature is not sensitive.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – not relevant for anchored nets/lines and feature is not sensitive.

Potential pressure: Organic enrichment

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – although feature is sensitive to this pressure, the risk profile is low.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – although feature is sensitive to this pressure, the risk profile is low.

Potential pressure: Physical change (to another seabed type)

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – although the feature is sensitive to this pressure, the pressure has a low risk profile for demersal trawls and seines.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – although the feature is sensitive to this pressure, the pressure is not relevant for anchored nets/lines.

Potential pressure: Physical change (to another sediment type)

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – although the Deep-sea bed (Stony and bedrock reef) feature is sensitive to this pressure, the pressure has a low risk profile for demersal trawls and seines.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – although the feature is sensitive to this pressure, the pressure not relevant for anchored nets/lines.

Potential pressure: Abrasion/disturbance of the substrate on the surface of the seabed

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: Yes – the feature is sensitive and the pressure has a Medium-high risk profile.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: Yes – the feature is sensitive and the pressure has a Medium-high risk profile.

Potential pressure: Penetration and/or disturbance of the substrate below the surface of the seabed, including abrasion

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: Yes – the feature is sensitive and the pressure has a Medium-high risk profile for demersal seines and trawls, and is a low risk for anchored nets/lines.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Although the feature is sensitive to this pressure, the pressure is a low risk for anchored nets/lines.

Potential pressure: Changes in suspended solids (water clarity)

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – although the pressure has a Medium-high risk profile for demersal trawls and seines (not relevant for anchored nets/lines), this pressure is not relevant for Deep-sea bed (Stony and bedrock reef) and the Cold-water coral (Biogenic reef) is not sensitive.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – although the pressure has a Medium-high risk profile for demersal trawls and seines (not relevant for anchored nets/lines), this pressure is not relevant for Deep-sea bed (Stony and bedrock reef) and the Cold-water coral (Biogenic reef) is not sensitive.

Potential pressure: Smothering and siltation rate changes (Light)

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: Yes – the feature is sensitive and the pressure has a Medium-high risk profile for demersal trawls and seines.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – although the feature is sensitive to this pressure, the pressure is not relevant for anchored nets/lines.

Potential pressure: Litter

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – although there is insufficient evidence to assess sensitivity for Cold-water coral (Biogenic reef) and it is not assessed for deep-sea bed, the risk profile for this activity is low.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – although there is insufficient evidence to assess sensitivity for Cold-water coral (Biogenic reef) and it is not assessed for deep-sea bed, the risk profile for this activity is low.

Potential pressure: Underwater noise changes

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – the feature is not sensitive and risk profile is low.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – the feature is not sensitive and risk profile is low.

Potential pressure: Introduction of light

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – although the sensitivity is not assessed, the risk profile for the activity is low.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – although the sensitivity is not assessed, the risk profile for the activity is low.

Potential pressure: Barrier to species movement

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – sensitivity is not assessed, however there is a low risk for anchored nets/lines, and the pressure is not relevant for demersal trawls or seines.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – sensitivity is not assessed, however there is a low risk for anchored nets/lines, and the pressure is not relevant for demersal trawls or seines.

Potential pressure: Collision BELOW water with static or moving objects not naturally found in the marine environment (e.g. boats, machinery and structures)

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – the risk profile for the pressure is low and this pressure is not relevant to the feature.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – the risk profile for the pressure is low and this pressure is not relevant to the feature.

Potential pressure: Visual disturbance

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – the risk profile for the pressure is low and this pressure is not relevant to the feature.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – the risk profile for the pressure is low and this pressure is not relevant to the feature.

Potential pressure: Introduction or spread of invasive non-indigenous species (INIS)

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: No – although Deep-sea bed (Stony and bedrock reef) is sensitive to this pressure, and cold-water coral (Biogenic reef) is not assessed, the risk profile for this pressure is low.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – although Deep-sea bed (Stony and bedrock reef) is sensitive to this pressure, and cold-water coral (Biogenic reef) is not assessed, the risk profile for this pressure is low.

Potential pressure: Removal of target species

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: Yes – the pressure has a Medium-high risk profile and Deep-sea bed (Stony and bedrock reef) is sensitive to this pressure and Cold-water coral (Biogenic reef) is not assessed.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: Yes – the pressure has a Medium-high risk profile and Deep-sea bed (Stony and bedrock reef) is sensitive to this pressure and Cold-water coral (Biogenic reef) is not assessed.

Potential pressure: Removal of non-target species

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls and Demersal seines: Yes – the pressure has a Medium-high risk profile AND the feature is sensitive to this pressure.

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: Yes – the pressure has a Medium-high risk profile AND the feature is sensitive to this pressure.

2.5 Part A Conclusion

Considering the information on pressures and sensitivity above, and guidance within the EU Commission guidance on the Assessment of plans and projects significantly affecting Natura 2000 sites; a methodological guidance on the provisions of Article 6 (3) and (4) of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC in relation to European sites, demersal trawls, demersal seines, and anchored nets/lines have the potential to have a likely significant effect (LSE) on the reef feature within East Rockall Bank SAC, through, abrasion/disturbance of the substrate on the surface of the seabed; penetration and/or disturbance of the substrate below the surface of the seabed, including abrasion; smothering and siltation rate changes (light); removal of non-target species and removal of target species. These five pressures will be taken through to Part B of the assessment.