The Solent Maritime SAC has a history of high industrial and recreational activity, which have the potential to leave marine debris on the seabed, creating a hazard to marine ecology and reducing the availability of space for marine habitats. To cultivate a better environment for sensitive seabed habitats, the LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES project aims to help towards to removal of seabed debris.
This report was commissioned to understand the extent of the pressure by identifying and mapping marine debris.
The project used a digital walk over and ground truthing surveys to map debris items in the intertidal areas of the Solent Maritime SAC. Each item was categorised by debris type and the size and location was noted. A map was also produced in conjunction of areas of visible anchoring and mooring pressure.
For each item of debris, removability of the item was assessed by the size and the distance from shore. This information will help future seabed cleanup efforts to improve the condition of sensitive seabed habitats.