This document explores environmental and ecological data acquired from a drop-down camera survey of the nearshore extent of Lands End and Cape Bank SAC in 2018. This report will inform a later condition assessment and management activities for this site. The report compares the features of the SAC in 2018 with those recorded in previous surveys.
Lands End and Cape Bank SAC lies to the west of Lands End and extends to almost 22 km from the coast, covering an area of over 30,000 ha. The site is characterised by diverse rocky reef habitats. Within Lands End and Cape Bank SAC, Annex I reef features are designated for protection.
In 2018, Annex I reef habitats were identified in over half of the images captured and these were widespread throughout the SAC. There was no indication that the extents of these features had changed in comparison with previous years’ data. There was no evidence that there had been significant changes in the biotopes, notable species or ecological function and structure within the SAC.
A number of recommendations for future surveying, interpretation and assessment of the SAC are provided. These include aiming to maximise the resolution at which habitats and species are recorded, bespoke surveys aimed at quantifying the extents of designated features and sub-features and the identification of key structural and functional taxa in future monitoring.