Seastar Survey Ltd. were contracted by Natural England to undertake a Phase I and Phase II intertidal survey between Filey Brigg and Red Cliff Rocks, to investigate its inclusion within the potential redesignation and expansion of several SSSIs along the Yorkshire coastline. Four transects across the survey area were sampled and detailed habitat maps illustrating the extent and distribution of intertidal rock habitats and biotopes were produced for each transect.
The primary aim of the survey was to verify the extent of two “whole shore” SSSI selection units: wave-exposed rock and moderately wave-exposed rock. Representative biotopes of these selection units were found at each of the four transects. The survey also identified other marine intertidal features that qualify for selection as part of a SSSI. This included the nationally and internationally important biotope LR.FLR.Lic.Bli and several biotopes listed as good examples of “biotopes of special interest”, namely the sublittoral fringe surge gully biotope complex IR.FIR.SG.
The report also lays out recommendations for future survey methods to minimise inter-survey variability and improve comparisons between datasets.