L7 : acceptable impacts (p1)

Question 1

shifting baseline syndrome

Answer 1

concept formulated by Daniel Pauly 1995. IT results in a drift away from true natural conditions, and as a consequence a change in perception of ecological change varying from generation to generation

Question 2

Maerl ecology

Answer 2

• unattached coralline red algae that forms beds that comprise live and/or dead thalli
• structurally complex habitats > 40m depth that provide biodiverse nursery grounds
• different habitat value between live and dead maerl

Question 3

Maerl conservation status

Answer 3

• UK Biodiversity Plan Priority habitat (UK biodiversity group 1999)
• European habitats directive (feature) (council directive 92/43/EEC)
• impacted by e.g extraction, offshore dumping and land reclamation
• live maerl is intolerant of smothering and physical disturbance

Question 4

Project Background [1]
[Maerl : Falmouth harbour]

Answer 4

• Falmouth harbour commision submitted a dredging application to deepen the river channel to maintain operations
• SAC EC habitats directive seabed comprised mostly of dead maerl, with an area of dead maerl with live fragments
• licence application rejected

Question 5

Project Background [2]
[Maerl : Falmouth harbour]

Answer 5

• by means of mitigation the developers proposed that this maerl layer (prev. identified as top 30cm) could be temporary removed allowing the channel to be deepened and then returned
• to test feasibility of proposal, undertook experimental trial to assess whether the maerl habitat and its assoc. assemblage was sufficiently resilient to withstand the disturbance of being removed from the seabed, held on a barge and then re-laid
• if successful, the additional effects of the deeping the channel could then be considered

Question 6

PFDI

Answer 6

port of falmouth development initiative

Question 7

MMO

Answer 7

marine management organisation

Question 8

PFDI 3 applications

Answer 8

• Falmouth Harbour constructions works - amalgamation of the Queens and Northern Wharves to create a 430m berthing area
• dredging for the creation of a deeper and straighter navigation channel and berthing pocket
• offsetting the loss of a maerl (red algae) habitat