This report presents the findings of a 2018 seabed survey conducted within the Kingmere Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), a 47.84 km² inshore site in the English Channel off West Sussex, protecting two habitat Features of Conservation Interest (FOCI)—‘Moderate energy infralittoral rock with thin mixed sediments’ and ‘Subtidal chalk’—and one species FOCI, the Black seabream (Spondyliosoma cantharus).
Data were collected using drop down video across 50 sample stations, and a mini-Hamon grab which targeted 16 stations. Video quality was relatively poor, but a sufficient number of still images were good quality and suitable for analysis of epifauna. Due to coarse sediments, only 9 of the 16 targets were successful, and these were analysed for sediment particle size and infauna.
Using acoustic data previously acquired by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, with sediment particle size, infaunal data and imagery collected from this survey, a revised Broadscale Habitat (BSH) map was produced. The dominant habitat was ‘A5.1 Subtidal coarse sediment’ (93.9%), with ‘A3.2 Moderate energy infralittoral rock’ (6.1%) forming a narrow band. Some sedimentary areas were reclassified based on geological interpretation.
The findings enhance ecological understanding and inform future management. Recommendations include quantifying sediment depth over bedrock, capturing incidental footage during grabs, and using larger grab equipment for coarse sediments, targeting areas with sufficient sediment depth.