[GB100299] Assessment of the Torbay Biogenic Reef within the Lyme Bay and Torbay cSAC

Natural England (NE), in partnership with Cefas and the Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority (IFCA), conducted a field survey to determine the presence and extent of the biogenic reef feature within the Torbay area of the Lyme Bay and Torbay candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). Surveys were undertaken on the 25th/26th September and 4th October. Ground-truthing sample locations, intended to identify the presence and extent of Mytilus edulis beds on sediment, were identified using indicative signatures from existing acoustic datasets alongside previous point data records and local knowledge. Ground-truthing techniques included the acquisition of video and still images of the seabed. In February 2024 the map was translated to EUNIS 07 classification system by JNCC.