North-east Faroe-Shetland Channel MPA

Status: Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area (Nature Conservation MPA)

The North-east Faroe-Shetland Channel MPA is located to the far north-east of Scotland, and is one of the largest designated Nature Conservation MPAs.

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Site

Located to the far north-east of Scotland, this MPA covers a large part of the north-eastern reaches of the Faroe-Shetland Channel in Scottish waters and is one the largest designated Nature Conservation MPAs.

The continental slope here plays an important role in funnelling ocean currents that bring valuable food and nutrients to the region, which support a wide diversity of life. The channel is believed to be a corridor for migrating marine mammals, including the fin whale ('razorback'), and sperm whale. At depths of 400–600 m, the combination of seabed type and plentiful nutrients are ideal for deep-sea sponges. Below 800 m, the muddy seabed is home to those species that can tolerate the cooler arctic-influenced waters, such as deep-sea worms. The MPA also includes several features of geological importance, including a series of deep-water mud volcanoes known as the pilot whale diapirs.

More detailed site information can be found in the Summary section below.

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Site Timeline

The diagram below is a summary of the key milestones involved in the selection and designation of North-east Faroe-Shetland Channel Nature Conservation MPA. More detail can be found in the Relevant Documentation section.

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Relevant Documentation

The documents referred to below and any other historical documents relating to North-east Faroe-Shetland Channel Nature Conservation MPA were produced during the selection and designation process and therefore may be out of date. This site information centre is the most up-to-date source of information for the North-east Faroe-Shetland Channel Nature Conservation MPA, and will reflect any additional information gathered since these documents were produced. Information about the Nature Conservation MPA site selection process is available on JNCC's Nature Conservation MPA webpages.

• Site Summary Document – Overview of the site and the protected features;
• Data Confidence Assessment – Sets out our confidence in the presence and extent of the protected features;
• Assessment against MPA Selection Guidelines – Details the application of the five stages of the Scottish MPA Selection Guidelines;
• Management Options Paper – Considers the management options for achieving the Conservation Objectives for each of the protected features in the MPA;
• Designation Order – Scottish ministerial order for the designation;
• Business Regulatory Impact Assessment – An assessment of the environmental and social and economic costs and benefits of the designation;
• JNCC’s formal conservation advice for this site is available within the Conservation Advice section.

These resources are available on JNCC's Resource Hub. 

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Summary

Last updated: October 2017

This site summary was adapted from the Nature Conservation MPA Site Summary Document and incorporates any information gathered since this document was produced. Please refer to Relevant Documentation section for further details and information sources.

 

Site overview 

Located to the far north-east of Scotland, this MPA covers a large part of the north-eastern reaches of the Faroe-Shetland Channel in Scottish waters and is the largest designated Nature Conservation MPA. The habitats found here are strongly influenced by a significant range of environmental conditions, from the upper continental slope to the depths of the channel, and include a dynamic mixing zone where warmer Atlantic waters flow over cooler arctic waters. The continental slope plays an important role in funnelling ocean currents that bring valuable food and nutrients to the region, which in turn support a wide diversity of life. The channel is believed to be a corridor for migrating marine mammals, including fin whales ('razorback') and sperm whales.

At depths of 400–600 m, the combination of seabed type and plentiful supply of nutrients are ideal for the establishment of deep-sea sponges. Up to 50 sponge species can be found within the sponge fields, many of which are different to those found in the surrounding areas. Deep-sea sponge aggregations are an OSPAR Threatened and/or Declining habitat. The sponges provide shelter for a range of small sea life such as pencil urchins (Cidaris cidaris) and an elevated perch for animals such as brittlestars that filter food from the passing water currents. Below 800 m, the muddy seabed is home to those species that can tolerate the cooler arctic-influenced waters, such as deep-sea worms.

The MPA includes several different features of geological importance, including the pilot whale diapirs. Diapirs are geological structures consisting of mobile material that was forced into more brittle surrounding rocks, usually by the upward flow of material from a parent stratum. The diapirs are a series of seabed sediment mounds which measure 2 km to 3 km across and rise to more than 70 m above the surrounding seafloor. Research has shown the diapirs are just a tiny fraction of more extensive subsurface features, covering more than 2,000 km². The pilot whale diapirs are unusual in that they are the only known example of diapirs found in UK waters that breach the seabed surface and provide scientists with a rare opportunity to directly sample mid-Cenozoic age sediments at the seabed. Further detail on the evidence for this Nature Conservation MPA can be found in the Monitoring and Evidence section.

Site location: Co-ordinates for this Nature Conservation MPA can be found in the Designation Order listed in the Relevant documentation section.

Site area: 23,682 km², approximately the same size as the south-west of England (23,880 km²).

Site depth range: The site ranges from 330 m below sea-level at the edge of the Faroe-Shetland channel continental slope, extending down the slope into the deep and cooler arctic influenced waters 2,420 m below sea-level.

Charting Progress 2 Biogeographic Region: Atlantic North-West Approaches, Rockall Trough and Faroe-Shetland Channel.

Site boundary description: The MPA boundary reflects the full extent of the records of deep-sea sponge aggregations on the continental slope in this part of the Faroe-Shetland Channel and the range of key geodiversity interests present. The north-east of the boundary tracks the extent of Scottish waters, and the west and north-western boundary follows the slide deposit feature representative of the Miller Slide key geodiversity area. The resulting shape also represents the diversity associated with the offshore subtidal sand and gravel and offshore deep-sea mud habitats in this part of the Faroe-Shetland Channel.

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Monitoring and Evidence

Last updated: November 2023

For a full overview of the data used to support site identification and information on confidence in feature presence and extent see the North-East Faroe-Shetland Channel Nature Conservation MPA Data Confidence Assessment. Some of the data for this Nature Conservation MPA has been collected through JNCC-funded or collaborative surveys, with other data obtained through other data sourcing. The data gathered provide direct evidence confirming the presence of the protected features within the site. Additional survey data will be added to JNCC's interactive MPA Mapper in due course.

 

Survey and data gathering

• North-east Faroe-Shetland Channel Nature Conservation MPA and Wyville-Thomson Ridge SAC Survey (2017) – Live video footage and images from a camera will allow the team to explore North-east Faroe-Shetland Channel to inform how best to protect this unique area and the animals that live within it.
• MV Franklin Survey (2006) – This survey was commissioned by the Department for Trade and Industry (now Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; BEIS)  as part of the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) survey programme. These surveys, in which JNCC collaborated, collected acoustic and underwater imagery data from areas off the north and west coasts of Scotland.
• SV Kommandor Jack Survey (2002) – This cruise formed part of the Atlantic Margin Environmental Survey (AMES). The cruise undertook a seabed environmental survey of the deep waters to the north of Shetland within the UK continental shelf. The cruise carried out seabed sampling and photography to investigate the seabed environment and fauna of the pilot whale diapirs and described and characterised 'hard ground' areas of the North-East Faroe Plateau.
• RRS Charles Darwin Survey (2000) – This cruise was led by the National Oceanography Centre and formed part of the AMES programme. Seabed samples were collected and photographic and video observations of the seabed and its fauna were also undertaken.
• White Zone Environmental Survey (1999) – This cruise formed part of the AMES programme to collect sidescan sonar, seabed samples and underwater imagery data. The survey also investigated areas of complex seabed topography, including the pilot whale diapirs. 
• Atlantic Frontier Environmental Network Survey of the SEA4 Region (1996/1998) – The Atlantic Frontier Environmental Network (AFEN) undertook a regional assessment of the environment west of Shetland, collecting sidescan sonar, seabed samples and underwater imagery.

 

Data analysis reports

• JNCC/MSS Partnership Report No. 6: North-East Faroe-Shetland Channel Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area (MPA) Monitoring Report – The monitoring report presents the outcomes from the 2017 survey to the site. The aim of the report is to explore and describe the protected habitat features within the NEFSC and test a number of hypotheses using the evidence collected during the first dedicated monitoring survey of NEFSC, conducted in 2017. The report explores the data acquired from the survey, which will aim to form the first point in a monitoring time series of the Priority Marine Feature deep-sea sponge aggregations against which changes and trends in feature condition can be assessed in the future. The data will also inform the development of an effective site and feature-specific monitoring approach for the site.
• Applying the OSPAR habitat definition of deep-sea sponge aggregations to verify suspected records of the habitat in UK waters (2014) – JNCC commissioned work to verify the presence of examples of the OSPAR threatened and/or declining habitat 'deep-sea sponge aggregations' in UK waters. Survey data from this site was included in that contract and supported with high confidence presence of the 'boreal ostur' type of deep-sea sponge aggregations in the MPA.
• Report on the identification of key geodiversity areas in Scottish waters (2013) – This report helped support information on the presence and extent of important geological and geomorphological areas in Scotland’s seas, which includes features representative of the key geodiversity areas represented by this MPA.
• Seafloor biotope analysis of the deep waters of the SEA4 region of Scotland's Seas (2012) – JNCC commissioned work to identify representative biotopes of the SEA4 region. The report drew on survey data collected by the 1998 AFEN survey and 2000 National Oceanography Centre led RRS Charles Darwin cruises.
• SEA/SAC survey photographic analysis report (2007) – This report by Howell et al. analysed the images from the 2006 SEA survey. The results support the presence of offshore  subtidal sand and gravels, offshore deep-sea muds, and  deep-sea sponge aggregations in the MPA. 
• DTI SEA 4: Geological evolution of the pilot whale diapirs and stability of the seabed habitat (2003) – This report by Holmes et al. presents the results of a desk-based study in the evolution of the pilot whale diapirs geological feature. Acoustic data and sediment core samples taken during the strategic environmental assessment surveys were used to determine the development and evolution of the diapirs in the site. The stability of the seabed habitat was also discussed.

 

Additional relevant literature

References for further supporting scientific literature consulted during the identification of this site can be found in the Data Confidence Assessment. Please be aware that although these sources contain information which is of interest in relation to this MPA, they do not necessarily represent the views of JNCC:

• Bett, B.J. (2001) UK Atlantic Margin Environmental Survey: Introduction and overview of bathyal benthic ecology Continental Shelf Research, 21: 917-956.
• Holmes, R., Hobbs, P.R.N., Leslie, A.B., Wilkinson, I.P., Gregory, F.J., Riding, J. B., Hoult, R.J., Cooper, R.M. and Jones, S.M. (2003) DTI SEA4: Geological evolution Pilot Whale Diapirs and stability of the seabed habitat. British Geological Survey Commercial Report CR/03/082.

 

Knowledge gaps

As part of the UK Marine Monitoring and Assessment Strategy (UKMMAS), JNCC led the development of a UK Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Strategy, working with partners across the UK monitoring community. The Strategy spans UK territorial and offshore waters, focusing on biodiversity in the wider environment and within Marine Protected Areas.  Its aim is to implement efficient, integrated monitoring of marine biodiversity to provide the evidence needed for all the UK's policy drivers.

The Marine Directorate of Scottish Government, in partnership with JNCC and NatureScot, developed a Scottish Marine Protected Area (MPA) monitoring strategy. The Strategy spans Scottish territorial and offshore waters, focusing on biodiversity within Marine Protected Areas. The Strategy is supported by a series of annexes which provide more detail on monitoring methods, collaborative working, current monitoring and a two year forward look for MPA monitoring in Scottish waters.

The evidence collected during MPA monitoring surveys is used in combination with other available evidence to:

• Enable assessment of condition of the features within sites;
• Contribute to the assessment of the degree to which management measures are effective in achieving the conservation objectives for the protected features;
• Support the identification of priorities for future protection and/or management; and,
• Enable Government to fulfil its national and international assessment and reporting commitments in relation to MPAs and help identify where further action may be required.

More detail on offshore MPA monitoring can be found on the Offshore MPA monitoring webpage. A list of monitoring surveys and relevant reports can be found on the MPA monitoring survey reports webpage.

If you are aware of any additional data or relevant scientific papers for this site not listed here, please contact us.

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Conservation Advice

Last updated: April 2018

Updated formal conservation advice is now available for this MPA.  Further information on the approach used to develop this advice is available on our Conservation Advice webpages along with a Glossary of Terms used in JNCC conservation advice and a short video explaining how to use the conservation advice packages. 

You must refer to this advice if you:

• Undertake an impact assessment for a plan or project that could impact the site;
• Provide information for such an assessment;
• Respond to specific measures to further the conservation objectives for the site; and 
• Consider the need to put new or additional management measures in place.

You may also find it useful to refer to this advice if you:

• Carry out any other activity that could impact the site.

We will engage with stakeholders to identify any lessons to be learned from customers who have used the advice, to ensure the conservation advice remains fit-for-purpose.

The following table provides an overview of the components of the conservation advice, and provides hyperlinks to each of the products for this MPA. These elements together form JNCC’s formal conservation advice for this site and should be read in conjunction with each other. This advice reflects the most up-to-date evidence held by JNCC (correct as of April 2018). 

Document	Overview
Background Information	Explains the purpose of the advice and when it must be referred to.
Conservation Objectives Supplementary Advice on the Conservation Objectives (SACO)	The conservation objectives set out the broad ecological aims for the site. JNCC provides supplementary advice in the Supplementary Advice on the Conservation Objectives (SACO), which is essential reading to support interpretation of these conservation objectives. It provides further detail and site-specific information for each feature within the site including which of the attributes need to be conserved and which ones recovered. You can use these documents to assess the impacts of your planned activity on the important attributes of the site. Please note our current understanding of whether the available evidence indicates that each attribute needs to be recovered or maintained is not provided here. However, links to available evidence for the site are provided and should you require further site-specific information for the site, please contact us
Conservation Advice Statements	These statements provide a summary of the Supplementary Advice on the Conservation Objectives (SACO). Site condition presents our up-to-date understanding of the condition of features within the site; Conservation benefits which the site can provide, these help you understand what is important about the site and why it needs protecting; and Conservation measures which JNCC considers are needed to support achievement of the conservation objectives. These provide clarity around measures needed to support restoration or maintenance of the feature(s) within the site.
Advice on Operations	Provides information on the activities capable of affecting site integrity and therefore achievement of the site’s conservation objectives. This is a starting point for determining potential management requirements. It does not take into account the intensity, frequency or cumulative impacts from activities taking place. It is simply to advise you of the possible adverse impacts that your activity can have on a MPA’s features. Use the advice on operations to determine those pressures your activity causes that could harm the habitat and/or species features of the site.

These resources are available on JNCC's Resource Hub.

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