The trawling gear with the largest swept area at the site is Beam trawling which had a peak p value of 1.139 in 2010 and 1.0506 in 2011. Plumes can persist for several hours after fishing activity has ceased (Martin et al 2014). However Margate is subject to wave action and this will help disperse the plumes and generally provide a dynamic sediment system. The communities that live on sandbanks will be adapted for some level of sedimentation. As the plume eventually degrades to background levels the main impacts will be immediately behind the head of the gear and Summerbell, 2011). Most organisms in this area will be affected (O’Neill more by the physical destruction caused by the fishing gear which has been discussed in section 9.1 and 9.2. Table 25: Siltation rate changes and changes in suspended solids assessment Interest feature Favourable Activity Compatible with condition conservation Pressure target objectives? Siltation rate changes Sandbanks (subtidal SA10 Demersal N (Low), including sand / subtidal mixed trawl smothering (depth of sediment / subtidal Dredges Y does not – vertical sediment coarse sediment) occur in site overburden) Hydraulic N but – dredges management in and place SA11 Demersal N Changes in suspended trawl solids (water clarity) Dredges Y does not – occur in site Hydraulic N but – dredges management in place SA12 Demersal N trawl Dredges N does not – occur in site Hydraulic N but – dredges management in place SA13 Demersal N trawl Dredges N does not – occur in site Hydraulic N but – dredges management in place 4.5 In combination impacts of other known or potential activities The effects of activities considered to be compatible with the conservation objectives of the site when considered alone were also assessed in combination with other relevant activities taking place including:
The trawling gear with the largest swept area at the site is Beam trawling which had a peak p value of 1.139 in 2010 and 1.0506 in 2011. Plumes can persist for several hours after fishing activity has ceased (Martin et al 2014). However Margate is subject to wave action and this will help disperse the plumes and generally provide a dynamic sediment system. The communities that live on sandbanks will be adapted for some level of sedimentation. As the plume eventually degrades to background levels the main impacts will be immediately behind the head of the gear (O’Neill and Summerbell, 2011). Most organisms in this area will be affected more by the physical destruction caused by the fishing gear which has been discussed in section 9.1 and 9.2. Table 25: Siltation rate changes and changes in suspended solids assessment Pressure Interest feature Favourable condition target Activity Compatible with conservation objectives? Siltation rate changes (Low), including smothering (depth of vertical sediment overburden) and Changes in suspended solids (water clarity) Sandbanks (subtidal sand / subtidal mixed sediment / subtidal coarse sediment) SA10 Demersal trawl N Dredges Y – does not occur in site Hydraulic dredges N – but management in place SA11 Demersal trawl N Dredges Y – does not occur in site Hydraulic dredges N – but management in place SA12 Demersal trawl N Dredges N – does not occur in site Hydraulic dredges N – but management in place SA13 Demersal trawl N Dredges N – does not occur in site Hydraulic dredges N – but management in place 4.5 In combination impacts of other known or potential activities The effects of activities considered to be compatible with the conservation objectives of the site when considered alone were also assessed in combination with other relevant activities taking place including: