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JNCC/SGMD Partnership Report 6. Priority Marine Features identified using 2021 drop camera imagery from Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt MPA 2026

Abstract

Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt (FSSB) Marine Protected Area (MPA) is in offshore waters on the Scottish side of the Faroe-Shetland Channel, a large rift basin that separates the Scottish and Faroese continental shelves. The MPA covers an area of 5,278 square kilometres and a depth range of around 400 m to 800 m below sea-level.

The aim of this report was to describe the records of Priority Marine Feature (PMF) habitats (deep-sea sponge aggregations, coral gardens, offshore subtidal sands and gravels, offshore deep-sea muds and burrowed mud) using drop camera imagery data collected during an offshore seabed survey. The survey was undertaken by JNCC and the Marine Directorate of the Scottish Government onboard the Marine Research Vessel Scotia between 20 August and 6 September 2021 (survey 1121S).

This resource may not be fully accessible for all users. If you need a copy in a different format, please contact Communications@jncc.gov.uk.

Resource type Publication

Topic category Environment

Reference date 2026·08·01

Citation
Boa, E. & Albrecht, J. 2026. Priority Marine Features identified using 2021 drop camera imagery from Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt MPA. JNCC / Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate Partnership Report 6. JNCC, Peterborough, ISSN 0963-8091.

Lineage
The JNCC-SGMD Partnership Report series publishes reports on offshore surveys undertaken by JNCC and Scottish Government’s Marine Directorate [formerly Marine Scotland Science].

Responsible organisation
Communications, JNCC publisher

Limitations on public access No limitations

Use constraints Available under the Open Government Licence 3.0

Metadata date 2026·08·20

Metadata point of contact
Communications, JNCC

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