Margate and Long Sands SAC baseline survey of subtidal sandbanks IECS (2014)

The Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies (IECS) was commissioned by Natural England to undertake a monitoring study of the Margate and Long Sands SAC. This was in order to establish the benthic species composition and associated biotopes of the sandbank located off the coast of Kent, South East England (Figure 1). Where appropriate, comparisons were made with information obtained in previous surveys, namely by Emu Ltd (2006). The main aim of this study was the collection of ground-truthing work, principally through a campaign of targeted grab sampling. This will enable Natural England to produce broadscale habitat maps of areas of the seabed. These can then be used to update the knowledge and baseline data in existing protected sites, to report on the condition of these sites as part of a rolling programme of survey, and to provide information on new areas of seabed that may support habitats and species of conservation interest. This will help to enable Natural England to fulfil existing and anticipated requirements under the Habitats Regulations, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Marine and Coastal Access Act. The survey was undertaken in a single deployment from the 9th to the 13th June 2014.