The acquisition of new data may result in updates to our
knowledge on feature presence and extent within this site. The most
up to date information is reflected on the map on this page and in
JNCC’s MPA mapper and the evidence
underpinning this can be viewed in the Evidence
tab.
The diagram below is a summary of the key
milestones involved in the selection and designation of Offshore
Overfalls MCZ. More detail can be found within the
Relevant Documentation.
The documents referred to below and any other historical
documents relating to Offshore Overfalls MCZ were produced during
the selection and designation process and therefore may be out of
date. This Site Information Centre is the most up to date
source of information for this MPA, and will reflect any additional
information gathered since these documents were produced. Further
information about the Marine Conservation Zone site selection
process and historic MCZ advice is available on the JNCC MCZ
pages.
Summary
Last updated: October 2018
Information for this site summary was adapted from JNCC’s
scientific advice to Defra on the designation of Offshore Overfalls
MCZ and incorporates any further information gathered since this
document was produced. Please refer to this document in the
Relevant Documentation section for further details
and information sources.
Site overview
The Offshore Overfalls MCZ is located in the Eastern English
Channel approximately 18km south-east of the Isle of Wight and just
north of the Offshore Brighton MCZ. It includes a mixture of
sediment types which create a dynamic seabed environment and host a
diverse ecosystem. The site depth ranges from 20m to 70m, the
deeper areas coinciding with a valley system running through the
site from the south to the north-east. This valley is part of the
English Channel Outburst Flood Features (Quaternary fluvio-glacial
erosion features) which are protected within the site for their
importance to the study of geomorphology.
The English Channel Outburst Flood Features were formed during
the Pleistocene Epoch more than 200,000 years ago when sea levels
were much lower than they are today and the English Channel was not
yet covered by seawater. A large glacial meltwater (freshwater)
lake, in part of the area now occupied by the southern North Sea,
burst its retaining bank to the south. This created a vast
discharge of sediment and water that carved out large-scale
longitudinal valleys, the outburst flood features, which were later
submerged by seawater in the English Channel when sea levels rose
again after the Ice Age. These erosional features have scientific
value as they help us to understand the Ice Age history of the
area, including sea level change, and how massive-scale flood
features develop, which may provide important information about
tsunami events. Within the Offshore Overfalls, MCZ these erosional
features are evident as deeper valleys within the site which run
along the south east corner.
Offshore Overfalls MCZ was originally recommended by the
Balanced Seas Regional MCZ Project in 2011. The site was
prioritised for additional evidence collection in a verification
survey undertaken by JNCC and Cefas in 2012 to improve confidence
in the presence and extent of broad-scale habitats and habitat
features of conservation importance (FOCI).
The 2012 survey confirmed the presence of the broad-scale
habitats (BSH) designated within this MCZ (subtidal coarse sediment, subtidal mixed sediments and subtidal sand sediment), along with moderate
energy circalittoral rock which was recorded sporadically across
the MCZ.
The BSH subtidal sand is located in two isolated patches that
fringe the northern margin of the Northern Palaeovalley and
associated with marine bedforms that form a collection of sediment
ripples and waves. These marine bedforms are predominantly
comprised of sandy sediment although some coarse or mixed sediments
may be present in the troughs of the sediment waves. The BSH
subtidal mixed sediments is confined to the northeast of the MCZ.
Evidence from the 2012 survey shows bedrock structures visible at
the seabed in this region, covered with a thin veneer of mixed
sediments. Bedrock structures are sporadic along the south east of
the site and in an area to the north-west known as the ‘Overfalls’
which is the namesake of Offshore Overfalls MCZ. Subtidal coarse
sediment is predominant within the MCZ, covering almost three
quarters of the site. It is located on the flanks and terraces of
the Northern Palaeovalley and within the valley floor.
Offshore Overfalls MCZ was included in the proposed network because
of its contribution to ENG criteria to broad-scale habitats (BSH),
and its added ecological importance. The area is incredibly diverse
with 278 infauna species and 45 epifauna species identified from
the 2012 survey. This data was reviewed by Envision Mapping Ltd for
JNCC in 2016 and statistically analysed to reveal the potential
biotopes present within the site. The majority of stations (52 out
of 59) were assigned to the biotope
SS.SCS.CCS.MedLumVen (Mediomastus fragilis,
Lumbrineris spp. and venerid bivalves in circalittoral coarse sand
or gravel) EUNIS code A5.142. This biotope fits with the broad
scale habitats designated within the site and was characterised by
comparatively high numbers of the bristle worm Notomastus
latericeus, along with the pea urchin
(Echinocyamus pusillus).The full report of this
analysis can be found on the Evidence tab.
The infauna biological communities appear to be dominated by a
diverse range of burrowing worms (polychaetes). Bivalves such as
the Queen
scallop (Aequipecten opercularis) occur in smaller
numbers along with the Long-clawed
porcelain crab (Pisidia longicornis) and the
common
brittlestar (Ophiothrix fragilis). The epifauna,
living on top of the sediment, are dominated by hydroids and
bryozonas and also include a range of sponges (Porifera), sea
anemones (Actinaria) and sea stars such as the common
starfish (Asterias rubens) and the Common Sun
Star (Crossaster papposus). Various species of fish
are also present including thornback
ray (Raja clavata), red gurnard
(Chelidonichthys cuculus), Small spotted
catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula), and Bib
(Trisopterus luscus). Further detail on the evidence
for this MCZ/can be found on the Evidence tab.
Site location: Coordinates for this
MCZ can be found in the Designation Order listed in the
Relevant Documentation.
Site area: 593km2,
which is similar to the size of the New Forest National Park
(566km2).
Site depth range: 20m to 70m. The
seabed depth drops significantly in the middle of the site where it
overlaps with the northern Paleovalley.
Charting Progress 2 biogeographic region -
Eastern Channel.
Site boundary description
The northwest
corner and limit of the northern boundary of the site are
concurrent with the original boundaries proposed by the Balanced
Seas Regional Group. The boundaries around the larger offshore part
of the MCZ were set to include an area of higher biodiversity and
are determined by geographical coordinates alone.
Evidence
Last updated: January 2019
The full overview of the various data used to support site
identification, along with information on confidence in
feature presence and extent are available in
the Scientific
advice on possible offshore Marine Conservation Zones considered
for consultation in 2015 and the Scientific
advice on offshore Marine Conservation Zones proposed for
designation in 2015/16. JNCC will be adding relevant
survey data for this MPA to our MPA interactive map in due course. Data for this
MCZ have been collected primarily through JNCC funded or
collaborative surveys and some through other data sourcing.
Data gathered provide direct evidence confirming the presence of
the protected features within the site.
Survey and data gathering
- A new data gathering and monitoring survey took place in
January 2019. The survey report will be published online when
available. Meanwhile please visit the survey
blog.
- Offshore Overfalls MCZ MB0120 Survey (2012) - JNCC collaborated
with Cefas on an MCZ site verification survey to Offshore Overfalls
MCZ, funded through the MB0120 Defra data collection. Video,
images, acoustic data and grab samples were collected across the
site.
Data analysis reports
- Community analysis of Offshore Overfalls
MCZ data (2016) - JNCC contracted Envision Mapping
Limited to complete a community analysis of offshore MCZ grab and
video data to establish biotopes present. The following European
Nature Information System (EUNIS) biotopes were assigned after
multivariate analysis of the 2012 survey data. The Marine Habitat
Classification for Britain and Ireland (version 15.03, JNCC 2015)
has been provided in brackets-
EUNIS Level 4 habitats: A5.14: Circalittoral coarse
sediment (SS.SCS.CCS)
EUNIS Level 5 biotopes: A5.142: Mediomastus
fragilis, Lumbrineries spp. and venerid bivalves in
circalittoral coarse sand or gravel (SS.SCS.CCS.MedLumVen)
Additional relevant literature
References for further supporting scientific literature
consulted during the identification of this site can be found in
the annexes of our advice. Please be aware that
although these sources contain information in relation to this MPA,
they do not necessarily represent the views of JNCC.
Additional relevant literature
Please be
aware that although these sources contain information which is of
interest in relation to this MPA, they do not necessarily represent
the views of JNCC:
Knowledge gaps
If you are aware of any
additional data or relevant scientific papers for this site not
listed in the relevant documentation, or the [insert site name]
Site Summary Document listed in the relevant documents section, or
the annexes of the MCZ advice documents, please contact JNCC.
Conservation Advice
Last updated: October 2017
Conservation objectives
Conservation
objectives set out the desired state for the protected feature(s)
of an MPA. The conservation objectives for the protected features
of an MPA are useful if you are:
- Planning measures to conserve the site and its protected
features;
- Monitoring the condition of the protected features; and/or
- Developing, proposing or assessing an activity, plan or project
that may affect the protected features of the site
The conservation objectives for the protected features of the
MCZ are:
Subject to natural change, the broad-scale habitats
Subtidal coarse sediment, Subtidal sand and Subtidal mixed
sediments features are to remain in or be
brought into favourable condition, such that
it's:
- Extent is stable or increasing; and
- Structures and functions, its quality, and the composition of
its characteristic biological communities are such as to ensure
that it is in a condition which is healthy and not
deteriorating.
Subject to natural change, the English Channel Outburst
Flood Features (Quaternary fluvio-glacial erosion features
) geomorphological interest feature is to remain
in or be brought into favourable
condition, such that it's:
- Extent, component elements and integrity are maintained;
- Structure and functioning are unimpaired; and
- Surface remains sufficiently unobscured for the purposes of
determining whether the conditions in the points above are
satisfied.
More information regarding the conservation objectives for the
protected features of the Offshore Overfalls MCZ is available in
the site
Designation Order, In addition to the conservation
objectives above, General Management Approaches
(GMAs) have been set by JNCC for each feature which
provide a view as to whether a feature needs to be maintained in or
be brought into favourable condition i.e. recover, based on our
knowledge about its condition. For more information on the General
Management Approach for MCZs see
Defra’s MCZ Designation Explanatory Note.
The GMAs for the protected features of the MPA are:
- Subtidal coarse sediment: Recover to
favourable condition;
- Subtidal mixed sediments: Recover to
favourable condition;
- Subtidal sand: Recover to favourable
condition; and
- English Channel Outburst Flood Features (Quaternary
fluvio-glacial erosion features): Maintain in favourable
condition.
More information on the GMA for the features in
Offshore Overfalls MCZ is provided in
Scientific advice on possible offshore Marine Conservation Zones
considered for consultation in 2015 and the Scientific
advice on offshore Marine Conservation Zones proposed for
designation in 2015/16.
Advice on operations
Section 127 of the Marine & Coastal Access Act (2009) states
that JNCC may provide advice and guidance regarding matters capable
of damaging or otherwise affecting the protected features of an
MCZ.
JNCC has published the following advice on activities which are
capable of damaging or otherwise affecting protected features in
MCZs:
JNCC provides a list of activities occurring within the Offshore
Overfalls MCZ and information on management within the activities
and management tab. JNCC has provided this to aid the cumulative
assessment of impacts of human activities within the site.
While every attempt has been made to ensure this information is
accurate and kept up-to-date, the list is not to be considered
exhaustive or definitive. The list does not, for example, include
activities occurring off-site which may also be capable of
affecting the protected features.
For the most up-to-date information about the biological
communities present within the site and their spatial distribution,
please see the evidence tab. Sensitivity information for the
protected features within the site can be found in a
Technical Report commissioned by Defra to support the MCZ
designation process.
The information contained within the evidence
tab, the activities and management tab,
the above Technical Report and the advice listed above on
activities which are capable of damaging or otherwise affecting the
protected features in MCZs are useful if you are:
- Carrying out any activity that may impact the protected
features of the site and need to find out how to operate within the
law;
- An authority providing advice on specific proposals;
and/or
- An authority responsible for putting management measures in
place.
Our scientific understanding of the ecology of the protected
features of the site and how activities can affect them may change
over time. Similarly the activities taking place within the site
may also change over time. JNCC’s conservation advice will be kept
under review and will be periodically updated to reflect this.
Further information on JNCC’s conservation advice work is available
on the offshore MPA conservation advice webpage.
Activities and Management
Last updated: April 2017
Management
status: Progressing
towards being well managed
The vulnerability assessment conducted for
this site suggests it is unlikely to be moving towards its
conservation objectives, but directed site condition monitoring
data are needed to improve our confidence in this
assessment.Licensable activities are being managed and progress is
ongoing with regards to the recommendation of a fisheries
management proposal to the European Commission.
|
This site forms part of the UK's contribution to the OSPAR
commission’s network of MPA's and the Emerald network
established under the Bern Convention. As the UK
is a member of the OSPAR commission, JNCC are
committed to ensuring that the OSPAR MPA network is ‘well-managed’ by
2020.
JNCC consider ‘well-managed’ to mean the
timely progress of an MPA around the ‘MPA management cycle’. This
involves:
- The documentation of
appropriate management information - conservation objectives,
advice on activities capable of affecting the protected features of
a site, and spatial information on the presence and extent of the
protected features of a site.
- The implementation of
management measures - management actions considered necessary to
achieve the conservation objectives of a site.
- Site condition monitoring
programmes – collecting the information necessary to determine
progress towards a sites conservation objectives.
- Assessment of progress towards
conservation objectives – using available information to infer
whether or not a site is moving towards or has achieved its
conservation objectives.
The sub-sections that follow
provide an account of the progress of Offshore Overfalls MCZ around
each of these four stages in the MPA management cycle:
The documentation of appropriate management
information
- The conservation objectives and advice on activities capable of
affecting the conservation status of the protected feature of this
site are available under the conservation advice tab.
- JNCC are in the process of improving our MPA conservation
advice packages. Further information is available on our conservation
advice pages.
- Spatial information on the presence and extent of the protected
feature of this MPA is available via JNCC's MPA
mapper.
- JNCC are in the process of developing downloadable MPA data
packages where appropriate permissions to share datasets are in
place.
The implementation of management measures
This section details progress towards the implementation of
management measures for activities considered capable of affecting
the conservation status of the protected features of the site. The
protected features of the site are considered to be sensitive to
pressures associated with fishing, ‘licensable’ activities, and
military activity.
Fisheries
- There is evidence of mobile
demersal, mobile pelagic and static gear effort within the MPA and
UK and non-UK registered vessels have been active in the area.
- In the 6-12 nautical mile
portion of the site, the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) can
introduce measures (e.g. bylaws) where appropriate. Such measures
would be developed following individual site assessments and
subsequent stakeholder engagement. Where other Member States (OMS)
have historic fishing access rights, any management proposals would
need to follow processes laid out in Article 18 of the
revised Common
Fisheries Policy (CFP).
- The portion of the site which
falls outside of 12nm will be exclusively managed under the CFP. In
accordance with Article 18, requests for management will be
developed jointly between the UK Government and any Member States
with a direct management interest in the area affected. The Marine
Management Organisation (MMO) are the lead authority regarding the
implementation of, and compliance with, any measures to managing
fishing activity. Further information on progress is available via
MMO webpages.
Licensable activities
- Oil and gas – There are no current oil and gas
activities within the MPA, however a plugged and abandoned well is
located in the east of the site.
- Aggregate extraction – There are no aggregate licenses
within the MPA however an aggregate license area borders the
north-west corner of the MPA boundary.
- Licensable activities that
are taking place or may take place in the future within this MPA
are managed in accordance with the clauses set out under Section
127 of The Marine & Coastal Access Act (2009). Under this
clause, JNCC have a statutory responsibility to advise the
regulator on developments that are capable of affecting (other than
insignificantly) the protected features of the MPA and that may
hinder the achievement of the site’s conservation objectives. JNCC
consider that the existing marine licensing process is sufficient
to ensure the management of licensable activities taking place, or
that could take place in the future, that could have an impact on
the protected features of this MPA.
- For further information,
please see the Marine Management Organisation’s
guidance on marine conservation zones and marine
licensing.
- Further information on JNCC’s
role in the provision of advice for licensed activities in the UK
offshore area is available on JNCC’s offshore industries advice
webpage.
Military activity
- Low level military activity may take
place within the MCZ. The MoD have incorporated all designated
MPAs into their Environmental Protection Guidelines (Maritime) and
wider Marine Environmental and Sustainability Assessment Tool.
These guidelines are used to manage MoD
activity to minimise the associated risks to the environment.
Site condition
monitoring
Site condition monitoring surveys are yet to
take place within this MPA. Further information will be made
available under the monitoring tab in due course.
Progression towards conservation objectives
No long-term condition monitoring data is
available to determine whether the MPA is moving towards or has
reached its conservation objectives. The site’s protected features
have ‘recover’ conservation objectives, based on a vulnerability
assessment that examined exposure to activities associated with
pressures to which the protected features of the site are
considered sensitive. This suggests that the site is unlikely to be
moving towards its conservation objectives but site condition
monitoring data would improve our confidence in this assessment.
Further information will be provided under the assessment tab
as it becomes available.
Monitoring
Last updated: October 2017
JNCC is currently leading on the development of a strategy for
biodiversity monitoring across all UK waters, to include MPA
monitoring. For MPAs, data and evidence collected from monitoring
activities will aim to:
- Enable assessment of condition of the features within
sites;
- Enable assessment of the degree to which management measures
are effective in achieving the conservation objectives for the
protected features;
- Support the identification of priorities for future protection
and/or management; and,
- Enable Government to fulfil its national and international
assessment and reporting commitments in relation to MPAs and help
identify where further action may be required.
Information on monitoring of this MPA will be provided when it
becomes available.
Assessment
Last updated: October 2017
Assessments of the condition of designated features in offshore
MPAs are required to report against our legal obligations. Ideally
these assessments should be based on observed data, and then
measured against targets for predefined indicators. However, for
MPAs in offshore waters we do not always have the appropriate
information to be able to do so. This is particularly true for
seabed habitats, which are the main type of feature designated for
protection in offshore MPAs.
To address these challenges, JNCC has been an active partner in
the development of new approaches and tools for the assessment of
habitats and species for a variety of national and international
status reports. They include the second cycle of the Conservation Status Assessment reports under the
EU Habitats Directive, Charting Progress 2
(CP2) and the OSPAR Quality Status
Report (QSR). JNCC continues to develop and pilot tools for the
assessment of marine habitats and species in offshore waters to
improve the quality and transparency of our offshore MPA
assessments, and contribute to the monitoring of marine
biodiversity in UK waters. These tools cover methods for producing
interim assessments of site features and their responses to
pressures, as well as developing more robust indicators for
determining condition of the features.
Under the UK Marine & Coastal Access (2009), JNCC is
required to report to Ministers on the degree to which the
conservation objectives of the protected features of Marine
Conservation Zones (MCZs) have been achieved. Every 6 years
from 2012, the Marine Act requires a report setting out how MCZs
have performed against their conservation objectives, as well as
the effectiveness of the network as a whole. The assessments
of features within MPAs will also feed into six yearly reports on
the state of the marine environment under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD),
which aims to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) by 2020.