Scottish Offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) - fisheries management measures: fisheries assessment – Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt NCMPA

2. Part A Assessment – Fisheries Screening

2.1 Fisheries screening overview

Part A of this assessment considers whether the fishing activity would be capable of affecting the designated habitats and species of an NCMPA or any ecological or geomorphological process on which the conservation of any protected feature is dependent. 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. Activities potentially capable of affecting the protected feature were 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 fisheries assessment stage (Part B) to determine whether the fishing activity in question would or might hinder the achievement of the conservation objectives.

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 non-existent or insignificant.

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

• If the feature is exposed to the pressure, or is likely to be in the future; and
• If the pressure is capable of affecting the feature; or
• If it is not possible to determine whether the pressure is capable of affecting the feature.

Part B of the assessment considers the potential for activities to affect the feature 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 would or might hinder the achievement of the conservation objectives for the site.

Consideration of exposure to and the effect of a pressure on a protected feature of the NCMPA 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 Fisheries Management Options Paper for Faroe Shetland Sponge Belt NCMPA have been used to inform this assessment. This is the most recent assessment package and options paper available.

Where appropriate, this advice has been supplemented by information on feature sensitivity from Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool (FeAST) and pressures associated with fishing activity from the JNCC Marine Pressures-Activities Database (PAD) v1.5 2022.

2.2 Activities taking place within Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt NCMPA

To screen out fishing activities that were not taking place within the site or likely to take part on the future, Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data within Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt NCMPA from 2015 to 2019 were analysed to identify the gear types being used in the site, and the aggregated gear method (Table 1). The fishing gears screened out at this stage were not taken forward to Part B of the assessment.

Table 1. Gear types recorded from the site based on VMS data from 2015 to 2019.

Gear type: Towed

Sub-gear type: Bottom otter trawl

Gear code: OTB

Aggregated gear method: Demersal trawls

Gear type: Towed

Sub-gear type: Multi-rig trawls

Gear code: OTT

Aggregated gear method: Demersal trawls

Gear type: Towed

Sub-gear type: Danish seine

Gear code: SDN

Aggregated gear method: Demersal seines

Gear type: Static-fixed nets

Sub-gear type: Gillnet (anchored)

Gear code: GNS

Aggregated gear method: Anchored nets/lines

Gear type: Lines

Sub-gear type: Set longlines

Gear code: LLS

Aggregated gear method: Anchored nets/lines

Gear type: Lines

Sub-gear type: Longlines (not specified)

Gear code: LL

Aggregated gear method: Anchored nets/lines

2.3 Potential pressures exerted by site fishing activity

According to the JNCC Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt NCMPA Management Option Paper (2014) the fishing activities considered capable of affecting the protected features are beam trawling, line fishing, otter trawling and set netting.

The potential pressures that could be exerted by fishing activities occurring within the site (demersal trawls and demersal seines) were determined using the JNCC Marine Pressures-Activities Database (PAD) v1.5 2022. The potential pressures that could be exerted by demersal trawls are summarised in Table 2.

The aggregated gear type of ‘anchored nets/lines’ spans two categories in the PAD: set (fixed) net fishing and line fishing. Subsequently, potential pressures for this aggregated gear type were listed under the two PAD categories (Table 3). The risk profiling of pressures was the same for set (fixed) net fishing and line fishing within the PAD, confirming that these categories could be considered together under the aggregated gear type of ‘anchored nets/lines’ in later sections of the assessment.

Table 2. 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. Pressures are considered to pose a medium/high risk (dark blue), low risk (light blue), or are not relevant to the activity (white).

PAD Pressure: Above water noise

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

PAD Pressure: Abrasion/disturbance of the substrate on the surface of the seabed

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Medium-high

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Medium-high

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Medium-high

PAD Pressure: Barrier to species movement

Fishing activity – Demersal seines:Not relevant

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Not relevant

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

PAD Pressure: Changes in suspended solids (water clarity)

Fishing activity – Demersal seines:Medium-high

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Medium-high

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Set (fixed) net fishing: Not relevant

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Not relevant

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

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line 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 seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

PAD Pressure: Deoxygenation

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

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

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

PAD Pressure: Introduction of light

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

PAD Pressure: Introduction of microbial pathogens

Fishing activity – Demersal seines:Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

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

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

PAD Pressure: Litter

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

PAD Pressure: Nutrient enrichment

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Set (fixed) net fishing: Not relevant

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Not relevant

PAD Pressure: Organic enrichment

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

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

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Medium-high

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Medium-high

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

PAD Pressure: Physical change (to another seabed type)

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Set (fixed) net fishing: Not relevant

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Not relevant

PAD Pressure: Physical change (to another sediment type)

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Set (fixed) net fishing: Not relevant

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Not relevant

PAD Pressure: Removal of target species

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Medium-high

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Medium-high

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Medium-high

PAD Pressure: Removal of non-target species

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Medium-high

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Medium-high

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Medium-high

PAD Pressure: Smothering and siltation rate changes (Light)

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Medium-high

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Medium-high

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Set (fixed) net fishing: Not relevant

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Not relevant

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 seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

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 seines: PAD Pressure: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

PAD Pressure: Underwater noise changes

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

PAD Pressure: Visual disturbance

Fishing activity – Demersal seines: Low

Fishing activity – Demersal trawls: Low

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines – Line fishing: Low

2.4 Significance of effects/impacts to protected features

To determine whether each pressure is capable of impacting on the sites features, the sensitivity assessments and risk profiling of pressures from FeAST and the JNCC Marine Pressures-Activities Database (PAD) v1.5 2022 were used. For the Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt NCMPA, following JNCC advice, FeAST was used to establish the feature sensitivity to the relevant pressures for ocean quahog aggregation, deep-sea sponge aggregations and offshore subtidal sands and gravels feature. This was to ensure the most up to date sensitivity evidence was used.

As offshore subtidal sands and gravels are not a feature assessed within FeAST, continental shelf mixed sediments were used as a comparable habitat. This decision was informed by the Data confidence assessment undertaken for the NCMPA which utilised predictive habitat maps, UkSeaMap2010 and EUSeaMap^[1]. This was used to indicate extent of supporting habitats within the site. The map is the result of work undertaken by a consortium lead by the JNCC to combine physical data describing the marine environment with information from biological sampling, generating a broad-scale habitat model of seabed habitats from which a predictive map was created (Cameron & Askew, 2011).

The habitat map UKSeaMap 2010 (in GeMS v4) predicts that offshore subtidal sands and gravel habitats occur across the NCMPA (comprising ~97% of the total area). EUSeaMap (2023) reflects this and shows the predominant habitat types to be Atlantic upper bathyal coarse sediment and Arctic upper bathyal mixed sediment. Confidence in the presence and extent of the protected features has been set out in the Data Confidence Assessment.

Table 3 identifies the pressures from particular gears that could be capable of affecting each feature. Where a pressure from a particular gear is identified as being capable of affecting 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 being capable of a affecting a feature but which do interact with the feature are considered in the in-combination aspect of the assessment (Part C).

Table 3. FeAST sensitivity categorisation for protected features of Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt NCMPA, showing the pressures from specific activities and the potential sensitivity of the protected features. The features are categorised as being High, Medium or Sensitive (dark blue), Low or Not assessed (light blue), Not sensitive (white), and Not relevant/exposed (white). Further details on these categories are available in the associated methods document.

Potential pressure:

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations:

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations:

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels:

Potential pressure: Above water noise

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not relevant

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not relevant

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not relevant

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

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Low

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: High

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Medium

Potential pressure: Barrier to species movement

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not assessed

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not assessed

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not assessed

Potential pressure: Changes in suspended solids (water clarity)

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not exposed

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Medium

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

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not relevant

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not relevant

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not relevant

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

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not relevant

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not relevant

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not relevant

Potential pressure: Deoxygenation

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not exposed

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not exposed

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

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Sensitive

Potential pressure: Introduction of light

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not relevant

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not relevant

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not relevant

Potential pressure: Introduction of microbial pathogens

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not assessed

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not assessed

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not assessed

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

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not sensitive

Potential pressure: Litter

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not assessed

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not assessed

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not assessed

Potential pressure: Nutrient enrichment

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not assessed

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not assessed

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not sensitive

Potential pressure: Organic enrichment

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not assessed

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not sensitive

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

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: High

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: High

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: High

Potential pressure: Physical change (to another seabed type)

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: High

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: High

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: High

Potential pressure: Physical change (to another sediment type)

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: High

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: High

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: High

Potential pressure: Removal of target species

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not exposed

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not exposed

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not exposed

Potential pressure: Removal of non-target species

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Sensitive

Potential pressure: Smothering and siltation rate changes (Light)

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: High

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not sensitive

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

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Sensitive

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

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Sensitive

Potential pressure: Underwater noise changes

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not sensitive

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not sensitive

Potential pressure: Visual disturbance

Protected features sensitivity – Ocean quahog aggregations: Not relevant

Protected features sensitivity – Deep-sea sponge aggregations: Not relevant

Protected features sensitivity – Offshore subtidal sands and gravels: Not relevant

Considering both the information on pressure activity association (Table 2) and the sensitivity of the features (Table 3), pressures that have the potential to affect the feature are summarised in Table 4.

Pressures that are not exerted by that fishing activity (‘not relevant to the activity’ in Table 4) do not need to be considered further in the assessment. According to the PAD methods document (Robson et al., 2018), pressures with low risk profiles (i.e. ‘low’ risk profile for the activity: Tables 2 and 4) 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.

Of all the pressures considered, five have a medium-high risk profile (PAD) and have a medium high sensitivity: abrasion/disturbance of the substrate on the surface of the seabed, changes in suspended solids (water clarity), penetration and/or disturbance of the substrate below the surface of the seabed, including abrasion, removal of non-target species and smothering and siltation rate changes (Light). These five pressures are subsequently considered to have the potential to affect the protected features. All of these five pressures are exerted by demersal trawls and demersal seines. Two potential pressures are associated with anchored nets/line gear which are abrasion/ disturbance of the substrate on the surface of the seabed and removal of non-target species.

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 considered capable of having a significant effect but which do interact with the features are considered in the in-combination aspect of the assessment (Part C).

Table 4. Summary of pressures that could be capable of affecting the protected features, based on pressure-activity associations and sensitivity (Table 2). Pressures with the potential to affecting the feature are in dark blue.

Potential pressure: Above water noise

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

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

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

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: Yes – the pressure has a Medium-high risk profile AND deep-sea sponge aggregations and sands and gravel features are sensitive to this pressure

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: Yes – the pressure has a Medium-high risk profile AND deep-sea sponge aggregations and sands and gravel features are sensitive to this pressure

Potential pressure: Barrier to species movement

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Not relevant or low risk for activity

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Not relevant or low risk for activity

Potential pressure: Changes in suspended solids (water clarity)

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: Yes – Medium-high risk for activity and medium sensitivity for sands and gravel feature

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Not relevant for activity

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

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Low risk profile for activity and not relevant to the feature

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Low risk profile for activity and not relevant to the feature

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 seines and Demersal trawls: No – Low risk profile for activity and not relevant to the feature

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Low risk profile for activity and not relevant to the feature

Potential pressure: Deoxygenation

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Low risk profile for activity and features not sensitive or not exposed

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Low risk profile for activity and features not sensitive or not exposed

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

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Features are sensitive but low risk for activity

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Features are sensitive but low risk for activity

Potential pressure: Introduction of light

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Low risk and not relevant to features

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Low risk and not relevant to features

Potential pressure: Introduction of microbial pathogens

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Low risk profile for activity

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Low risk profile for activity

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

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Low risk or not relevant for activity

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Low risk or not relevant for activity

Potential pressure: Litter

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Features not assessed but low risk activity

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Features not assessed but low risk activity

Potential pressure: Nutrient enrichment

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Low risk or not relevant to activity

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Low risk or not relevant to activity

Potential pressure: Organic enrichment

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Low risk for all activities

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Low risk for all activities

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

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Features are sensitive but low risk for activity

Potential pressure: Physical change (to another seabed type)

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Features are sensitive but low risk for activity

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Features are sensitive but low risk for activity

Potential pressure: Physical change (to another sediment type)

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Low risk for activity

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Low risk for activity

Potential pressure: Removal of target species

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Medium-high risk from activity but features are not exposed

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Medium-high risk from activity but features are not exposed

Potential pressure: Removal of non-target species

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

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

Potential pressure: Smothering and siltation rate changes (Light)

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

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Not relevant 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 seines and Demersal trawls: No – Features are sensitive but low risk for activity

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Features are sensitive but low risk for activity

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 seines and Demersal trawls: No – Features are sensitive but low risk for activity

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Features are sensitive but low risk for activity

Potential pressure: Underwater noise changes

Fishing activity – Demersal seines and Demersal trawls: No – Low risk from activity and features not sensitive

Fishing activity – Anchored nets/lines: No – Low risk from activity and features not sensitive

Potential pressure: Visual disturbance

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

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

2.5 Part A Conclusion

Considering the information on pressures and sensitivity above, demersal trawls, demersal seines and anchored nets/lines have the potential to affect offshore subtidal sands and gravels, deep sea sponge aggregations or ocean quahog aggregations features of the Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt NCMPA. This is through abrasion/disturbance of the substrate on the surface of the seabed; changes in suspended solids (water clarity); penetration and/or disturbance of the substrate below the surface of the seabed, including abrasion; removal of non-target species; and smothering and siltation rate changes (light). Only two pressures of abrasion/disturbance of the substrate on the surface of the seabed and removal of non-target species area associated with anchored nets/lines. These five pressures are considered to have the potential to affect the features are taken through to Part B of the assessment.