Marine Offshore Seabed Survey data held by JNCC

Quality Control

Taxonomic identification is undertaken by experts and the Marine Species of the British Isles and Adjacent Seas (MSBIAS) species dictionary is used to validate species names. The database is maintained and updated as new survey data become available. All records have been validated using the NBN record cleaner.

Method steps

1. Data collected from a variety of reaserch vessels using a range of survey equipment including grabs, underwater video and still images, and benthic trawls. Post survey analysis has been conducted by various contractors to identify species and their abundances. Abundace is recorded as count, SACFORN, or presence/absence.

Surveys focus on gathering data from the UK’s benthic habitats, on existing MPAs, sites being assessed for there potential as MPAs and fisheries management areas. All sites are within the UK marine area, however some surveys have additionally collected samples from beyond the limit of the UK continental shelf. Due to the nature of the surveys, datasets tend to cluster on particular areas of interest.