Natural England commissioned this report, in partnership with the Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (EIFCA), to objectively analyse visual data collected in the Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds Marine Conservation Zone. The aims of this work were to:
- Determine the location and extent of rugged chalk features;
- Record and characterise any incidents of anthropogenic damage to subtidal chalk;
- Obtain descriptions of the biological communities associated with subtidal chalk habitats of varying structural complexity.
ENVISION were contracted by Natural England to analyse the ROV imagery collected by EIFCA, including 177 ROV transects across 140 stations. Imagery analysis was undertaken following current guidance and in line with the approach undertaken for analysis of previous surveys (O’Dell & Dewey 2022). The variety and distribution of habitats and biotopes recorded throughout the MCZ from this analysis generally support the findings of previous surveys. Trends in biotope and chalk habitat distribution throughout the MCZ have been described and may be of assistance in the management of different types of structural complexity of chalk habitats with respect to fishing practices in the area.
These findings will be used to inform Adaptive Risk Management of the site and may feed into Natural England’s conservation advice and condition assessment packages.