Third UK Habitats Directive report (2013) - Supplementary distrbution map data
This dataset contains additional distribution map data for various species of Cetacea and Seals included as part of the 3rd UK Habitats Directive Report submitted to the European Commission in 2013. Every six years, all EU Member States are required (under Article 17 of the Directive) to report on the implementation of the EU Habitats Directive. Further details are provided in the lineage section.
dataset
name: UK-Art17-additional-distribution-data.zip
b7fa2315-0023-4ecf-9b83-0e3af840c971
eng
biota
Freshwater
Marine
Terrestrial
European Reporting
Article 17
Habitats Directive
Species
-13.131148
7.909446
61.230755
48.883341
2007-01-01
2012-12-31
publication
2013-10-21
Humpback Whales: Additional Map 1 shows the distribution of sightings and strandings recorded around the UK during the reporting period. Sightings have been particularly common off northeast Scotland and the Northern Isles, although this may reflect greater observer coverage in these areas. Northern right whale <i>Eubalaena glacialis</i>: Reid et al. (2003) map the sighting locations of North Atlantic right whales recorded around the UK. The records were compiled in the Joint Cetacean Database and published in the Cetacean Atlas (Page 23, http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/PDF/CetaceansAtlas_web.pdf). Bottlenose dolphin (<I>Tursiops truncatus</I>): Additional map 1 shows the distribution of strandings records of bottlenose dolphins around the UK during 1989-2011. There are 52 records of stranded bottlenose dolphins for 2005-2010. Of these, 18 stranded in Scotland, 16 stranded in Wales, 15 stranded in England, two stranded in Northern Ireland and one stranded in the Channel Islands (Deaville and Jepson, 2011). A further 15 stranded in 2011 and 7 were recorded in 2012 (CSIP, 2011a, b, c, d; 2012a, b, c, d). Bottlenose dolphin (<I>Tursiops truncatus</I>): Paxton et al. (in prep) modelled the density of bottlenose dolphins in waters off the UK for mid-August 2010. The model correctly predicts the known high-density areas where there are resident bottlenose dolphin populations; Moray Firth and Cardigan Bay. The distribution of the Moray Firth population along inshore waters of the Scottish east coast is also reflected. The model also predicts a high density offshore area off southwest England. A number of sightings of relatively large groups (up to 25 individuals) of bottlenose dolphins were encountered in this area on the Celtic shelf and shelf edge during the SCANS-II survey (Hammond et al. In press). Common dolphin (<I>Delphinus delphis</I>): Paxton et al. (in prep) predicted the distribution of common dolphins on mid-August 2010 based on analysis of data collected between 1994 and 2010. The data are from a wide variety of sources but all surveys recorded survey effort and sightings i.e. Opportunistic sightings were not used. The data were standardised and corrections applied to account for animals missed during surveys, and detections modelled using a variety of environmental covariates, year, season and latitude and longitude. The best model was used to predict spatial distribution at a 5x5km resolution for mid-August for each year (i.e. 1994-2010) (Paxton et al., in prep). The model output for mid-August 2010 was assessed for areas of relatively high and low density for this species. The map shows that this species is most commonly found on the west coast of the UK (and Ireland), particularly in the southwest approaches and around the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Predicted densities were very low throughout the North Sea, English Channel and Northern Isles. Harbour porpoise (<I>Phocoena phocoena</I>) Paxton et al. in prep show the predicted the distribution of harbour porpoise on mid-August 2010 based on analysis of data collected between 1994 and 2010 . The data are from a wide variety of sources but all surveys collected survey effort data and sightings i.e. opportunistic sightings were not used. The data were standardised and corrections applied to account for animals missed during surveys, and detections modelled using a variety of environmental covariates, year, season and latitude and longitude. The best model was used to predict spatial distribution at a 5x5km resolution for mid-August for each year (i.e. 1994-2010) (Paxton et al., in prep). The model output for mid-August 2010 was used to identify areas of relatively high and low density for this species. The map shows that during 2010, the density of this species was greatest around Scotland, particularly around the Inner and Outer Hebrides and outer Moray Firth. The southwest North Sea also had relatively high densities of this species. The stability of high density areas varies from one year to the next. Using the modelled outputs of Paxton et al. (in prep) maps were created to explore variation in density (and range) over time, as exemplified by years 1994, 2001, 2005 and 2010 (sections 2.3.7 and 2.4.11). There are large scale areas where harbour porpoises are predicted at relatively high densities in all of these years, such as the west coast of Scotland, but at a finer scale within this area, Marubini et al (2009) showed that relative abundance within the Minches showed significant inter-annual changes. High density areas in other parts of the UKs EEZ, such as the North Sea are variable and porpoises appear to be very dynamic in this area. Since 2001, the density of porpoises in the southern North Sea appears to have increased. In Danish waters, harbour porpoises have been shown to concentrate their movements in relatively large areas, ranging from approximately 400 to 1600 sq km (Teilmann et al., 2004). Satellite telemetry work has revealed relatively large movements of tagged animals, including several from Danish waters into UK waters east of the Shetland Isles (Teilmann et al., 2004), a distance of over 1000km. Grey seal (<I>Halichoerus grypus</I>):A map of modelled total density of grey seals at sea around the UK has been derived from telemetry data from 1991-2011 and count data from 1988-2012 where such data are available (Jones et al. 2012; Jones et al., 2011; Russell et al., 2011a, b). The map represents the aggregated at-sea and hauled-out densities. It is evident that the density of grey seals is higher around Scotland and the Northern Isles, with pockets of high density further south off north and southwest Wales and around the Humber Estuary in the North Sea. Common seal (<I>Phoca vitulina</I>): A map of modelled harbour seal density has been derived from telemetry data from 1991-2012 and count data from 1988-2012 (Jones et al., 2012; Jones et al., 2011, Russell et al., 2011a, b) and represents the aggregated at-sea and hauled-out densities. It is evident that the density of harbour seals is high around western Scotland, southeast Northern Ireland, the Northern Isles, Moray Firth and Firth of Forth and the Wash. It should be noted that the age and sex-structure of tagged animals may not be representative of their populations as demographic data were aggregated. Count data are not representative of breeding populations. Telemetry data are from variable temporal sampling effort. The effects of anthropogenic activities on seal spatial distributions were not considered. False killer whale (<i>Pseudorca crassidens</i>): Reid et al. (2003) map the sighting locations of false killer whales recorded around the UK. The records were compiled in the Joint Cetacean Database and published in the Cetacean Atlas. There have been 5 sightings in UK waters, between 1976 and 1991, all between July and November (Evans et al., 2003). These were mostly around northern Scotland, including a large pod of 100-150 whales east of Orkney in 1981. There were 3 mass strandings of this species between 1927 and 1935, but there have been no strandings since (Reid et al., 2003; Deaville and Jepson, 2011). Long-finned pilot whale (<I>Globicephala melas</I>): Globicephala melas is one of the most frequently stranded cetacean species on the UK coastline (mainly due to mass stranding events), with 74 individuals stranded between 2000-2004 (Jepson, 2005), 54 between 2005-2010 (52 of which in Scotland) (Deaville and Jepson, 2011), 44 in 2011 alone (39 of which mass stranded in Kyle of Durness, North West Scotland) (Deaville, 2011), and 7 between January and June 2012 (Deaville, 2012). A further mass stranding of 31 long-finned pilot whales occurred in September 2012 along the coast of Fife (SMASS, 2013). A seasonality of strandings has been noted, with peaks between December and March/April (Leeney et al., 2008). The distribution of strandings for the reporting period is shown in Additional Map 1. Atlantic white-sided dolphin (<I>Lagenorhynchus acutus</I>): Paxton et al. (in prep.) predicted the distribution of white-sided dolphin for mid-August 2010 on a 5x5km grid. The prediction is based on analysis of data collected between 1994 and 2010. The data are from a wide variety of sources but all surveys collected survey effort data and sightings i.e. Opportunistic sightings were not used. The data were standardised and corrections applied to account for animals missed during surveys, and detections modelled using a variety of environmental covariates, year, season and latitude and longitude. Although caution is needed in interpreting the edges of the prediction, the map suggests that this species is most commonly found on the western UK (and Ireland) continental shelf edge. This is well supported by the literature (e.g. Reid et al. 2003). It also occurs on the shelf, but at lower densities, around northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. In August 2010, the highest densities are predicted around the Northern Isles, however this area also has very limited survey effort so peaks in density have a high uncertainty associated with them. The JCP analysis does not predict beyond 300m water depth, where densities of this species are greatest. White-beaked dolphin (<I>Lagenorhynchus albirostris</I>): Paxton et al. (in prep) modelled the distribution of white-beaked dolphins based on an analysis of data collected between 1994 and 2010. The data are from a wide variety of sources but all surveys collected survey effort data and sightings i.e. opportunistic sightings were not used. The data were standardised and corrections applied to account for animals missed during surveys, and detections modelled using a variety of environmental covariates, year, season and latitude and longitude. The best model was used to predict spatial distribution at a 5x5km resolution for mid-August for each year (i.e. 1994-2010) (Paxton et al., in prep). The model output for mid-August 2010 was used to assess areas of relatively high and low density for this species. This shows that this species is most commonly found in the North Minch, on the continental shelf west of the Outer Hebrides and in the north/central North Sea. This compares well with the distribution in the cetacean Atlas of Northwest European waters compiled by Reid et al. (2003). Additional map 1 shows the locations of strandings (CSIP database) and sightings (SWF database) for the reporting period. Neither source is corrected for spatial and temporal variations in effort ; however, the distribution generally agrees well with that predicted by Paxton et al. (in prep). Striped dolphin (<i>Stenella coeruleoalba</i>): During the Cetacean Offshore Distribution and Abundance (CODA) survey in July 2007, no sightings of this species were recorded within the UK EEZ; a few sightings were recorded to the west of Ireland but most occurred to the southwest and south (Hammond et al. 2009). Modelled density of this species using the CODA data (Figure 4, pg. 25 at http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/coda/documents/CODA_Final_Report_11-2-09.pdf) highlight the Bay of Biscay and offshore waters to the north west of Spain as the main areas of this species distribution in the European Atlantic. Cuvier's beaked whale (<i>Ziphius cavirostris</i>): Reid et al. (2003) map the number of individuals sighted per unit time of observation resolved into ¼ International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) rectangles (15’ latitude x 30’ longitude). All sightings are restricted to the southwest shelf and shelf edge of the UK. Sightings and strandings are now much more common in UK waters. Additional map 1 shows the distribution of strandings along the UK coastline for the current reporting period (CSIP database). Most occur on the west coast, particularly on the southwest, but extend as far north as the Shetland Islands. Reid et al. (2003) map the sightings locations of Cuvier's beaked whale recorded around the UK. The records were compiled in the Joint Cetacean Database and published in the Cetacean Atlas. In the northeast Atlantic, this species is frequently recorded in the Bay of Biscay and further south, but there have been only two confirmed sightings in UK waters (off west Scotland and in the northern North Sea) and four off western Ireland, all in summer (Reid et al., 2003; Evans et al., 2003). Between 1993 and 2004, there have been 12 strandings, occurring almost annually and mostly on the Outer Hebrides (Jepson 2006). During 2005-2010, a total of 23 Cuvier's beaked whales were reported stranded in the UK, all of them in Scotland (mainly west coast). Of these, 12 stranded between January - April 2008 along with a number of other cetacean species in an unusual mortality event (Deaville et al 2011). A further 2 Cuvier's beaked whales, one each in England and Scotland, stranded during 2011 (Deaville, 2012). The distribution of strandings within the current reporting period is given in Additional Map 1. There have only been a few confirmed sightings in UK waters, all in western areas (Reid et al. 2003), but it seems probable that most sightings of unidentified mesoplodonts were of this species also. These records are mostly from deep water just beyond the shelf edge, to the northwest of Scotland (Reid et al., 2003; Stone 2003). Sowerby's beaked whale (<i>Mesoplodon bidens</i>): There are no data on population size or trends, but the frequency of strandings around the UK has remained fairly constant. Between 1993 and 2004, there were 18 reported strandings (Jepson 2006). Between 2005-2010, there were 19 stranded; 12 in Scotland, 6 in England and 1 in Wales (Deaville and Jepson, 2011). In 2011, there were a further 3 strandings (2 in England, 1 in Scotland). A post-mortem was only carried out on one animal (found on the coast of Norfolk) and the cause of death was live-stranding (Deaville, 2012). During August 2012, there was a spate of Sowerby's strandings with 6 animals being found within a 2 day period around the UK coast (Deaville pers. comm) (Additional map 1). Minke whale (<I>Balaenoptera acutorostrata</I>): Paxton et al. (in prep) predicted the distribution of minke whales on mid-August 2010 based on analysis of data collected between 1994 and 2010. The data are from a wide variety of sources but all surveys recorded survey effort and sightings i.e. Opportunistic sightings were not used. The data were standardised and corrections applied to account for animals missed during surveys, and detections modelled using a variety of environmental covariates, year, season and latitude and longitude. The best model was used to predict spatial distribution at a 5x5km resolution for mid-August for each year (i.e. 1994-2010) (Paxton et al., in prep). The model output for mid-August 2010 was assessed to for areas of relatively high and low density for this species. The map shows that this species most commonly occurs in all waters around the Scottish coastline, the Northern Isles, central and northern North Sea and the Irish Sea. Predicted densities were low in the southern North Sea, Channel and central Irish Sea. This distribution compares well with that reported by Reid et al. (2003). Sei whale <i>Balaenoptera borealis</i>: A map of sei whale distribution is given in Reid et al. (2003). The species is most commonly recorded to the north west of Britain, particularly in the Faroe Shetland Channel. They are also occasionally seen further south in deep waters west of Scotland, but only rarely in shelf waters of western Britain; although sightings have also been made in the south western approaches, between Ireland and south west England (Pollock et al., 2000). Its occurrence tends to be seasonal, with most records between May and October. Whaling records from the early 20th century show a similar seasonal pattern, with most catches made along the shelf edge from June to August. From 1903-1928, 1839 sei whales were taken in Shetland and 375 in the Outer Hebrides. There have only been 16 strandings of sei whale in the UK since 1913. However, during the 2007-2012 reporting period, there have been 3 strandings; 1 in 2011 (Deaville, 2011) and 2 up to mid- 2012 . All were of juvenile animals found stranded along coastlines of the North Sea , outwith their normal UK habitat. Pygmy sperm whale (<i>Kogia breviceps</i>): There have been few sightings in European waters, mostly from the Bay of Biscay to the west of Ireland. Reid et al. (2003) map the sighting locations of pygmy sperm whales recorded around the UK during 1979-1997; all of which are from the North Sea. The records were compiled in the Joint Cetacean Database and published in the Cetacean Atlas (Page 23, http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/PDF/CetaceansAtlas_web.pdf). A small number of stranded animals have also been recorded from Spain to western Ireland, including nine in the UK, mostly in the late 1990s and all on western coasts (Evans et al., 2003; Jepson 2006; Santos et al. 2006). A further single animal stranded on the Shetland Islands between 2005-2010 (Deaville and Jepson, 2011) and another on the Argyll and Bute coast of Scotland during October 2011 (Deaville, 2012). Blue whale (<i>Balaenoptera musculus</i>): Reid et al. (2003) map the sighting locations of blue whales recorded around the UK between 1979-1997. The records were compiled in the Joint Cetacean Database and published in the Cetacean Atlas. This species is a rare visitor to UK waters, most recently being recorded in deep waters in the Faroe-Shetland Channel and the Rockall Trough (Charif and Clark 2000; Pollock et al., 2000). Acoustic monitoring to the west of the European continental shelf has indicated a peak occurrence during November and December (Charif and Clark 2000). A map of northern bottlenose whale distribution is given in Reid et al. (2003). All sightings are offshore, in deep waters to the west and north of the UK. This species is thought to migrate north in spring, returning south in autumn and most sightings in UK waters have been during the summer months. However, in Faroese waters, where peak sightings and catches also occur in late summer, the species is known to be present throughout the year (Reid et al., 2003). Northern bottlenose whale (<i>Hyperoodon ampullatus</i>): The stranding rate in the UK declined from the first half of the 20th century to the second half, but in the last few years has been similar to the earlier period. Between 1993 and 2004, there have been 14 reported strandings (Jepson, 2006). During 2005-2010, a total of 22 stranded northern bottlenose whales were reported from around the UK coastline, the majority from Scotland (Deaville et al 2011). A further stranding of this species was recorded in Scotland during 2012. The distribution of strandings within the current reporting period is given in Additional Map 1.
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2018-05-17