1. Policy drivers for seabed mapping Evanthia Karpouzli Marine Ecological Adviser Scottish Executive

2. Policy Drivers aquatic environment  Natural resource mapping (broadscale habitats, features, species). Commitments through: OPSPAR convention Habitats and Birds Directives Water Framework Directive  Monitoring (achieving good environmental status, favourable conservation status etc) All the above plus EU Marine Strategy and proposed Marine directive Biodiversity Action Plans

3. Policy Drivers aquatic environment  Inform decision-making and planning The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (specific biodiversity duty) Strategic Environmental Assessments Environmental Impact Assessments Inshore Fishing Act (management and compliance) Marine Spatial Planning (shared framework across UK waters) Considering new legislation for Scotland Oil spill contingency, risk assessment  Long term monitoring. Identify impacts on habitats and changes, identify trends and change Scotland's Climate Change programme. Contribute data and evidence to the MCCIP Marine Environment Change Network

4. Policy Drivers aquatic environment  Identifying gaps in knowledge / data. Better coordination, avoid duplication Scotland committed to a coordinated UK-wide marine information network Eg. Marine Data and Information Partnership (MDIP) The joint UK response to the Review of Marine Nature Conservation UK Seamap  Evidence based policy Justification for site designation Site management Justification for consents

5. Policy Drivers aquatic environment  Overarching commitments through: Scottish Marine and Coastal Strategy G Coastal and Marine National Park Scottish Biodiversity Strategy  Possible future drivers: Potential changes to legislation in Scottish marine environment Establish an ecologically coherent and representative network of MPAs Identify areas important for ecosystems and biodiversity

6. How can we fulfil these policy drivers? Step 1: data collection, map production  Good quality accurate intertidal and subtidal maps of species, habitats, that complements information on activities on a GIS.  Resolution fit for purpose  Collected and processed in a clear standardised way  Good metadata available  To allow for comparisons spatially and temporarily

7. How can we fulfil these policy drivers? Step 2: Data analysis Measuring extent (of feature and lifeform) Measuring biomass of vegetation Determining spatial pattern and structure Monitoring change (spatial/qualitative) Legacy - lasting objective records of site condition

8. ConclusionsConclusions  Future opportunities: For MESH to inform policy, improve basis for decision making and planning Key: The continuity of such projects so maps are updated in the future  Added value in seabed mapping products Input in ecosystem models For example fisheries stock prediction using habitat maps and other environmental variables Climate change models Operational tool in WFD Integrated use of data from different sources  Real power: detecting changes over time  Standards and protocols required for collecting and analysing data to produce consistent results which are repeatable over time