Publication Abstract

Review of current state of knowledge of the impacts of Marine sand and gravel extraction

S.E. Boyd, D.L. Limpenny, H.L. Rees, W.M. Meadows, & C.M.G. Vivian

Industrial exploitation of the UK marine aggregate resource peaked in 1989, and has remained relatively steady in recent years at around 23 million tonnes per annum from around the England and Wales coastline. It has been estimated that there is a workable UK marine resource of 1 billion tonnes and this suggests controlled extraction may be sustainable for the foreseeable future. Concerns over the effects of marine sand and gravel extraction on the marine environment have grown over time and this is particularly the case at localities off the eastern and southern English coastlines, which are characterised by multiple dredging permits in close proximity.

Aggregate extraction is of concern not only because of the effects of the removal of sediment and associated benthic fauna, but also in terms of its potential for changin the nature and stability of sediments through the exposure of underlying strata and the redistribution of fine particulates.

For many years, scientists at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) have provided scientific advice on the environmental consequences of marine aggregate dredging on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as well as carrying out related R&D programmes of a strategic nature.

This paper provides examples of the range of research projects that have been undertaken by CEFAS scientists, in recent years, in order to evaluate environmental effects of aggregate dredging with particular reference to studies of the benthic fauna.

The implications for the future management and scientific study of marine aggregate extraction arising from observations on the physical and biological status of a number of UK extraction sites are also discussed, together with options for monitoring sites post-extraction.

Reference:

S.E. Boyd*,  D.L. Limpenny*,  H.L. Rees*,  W.M. Meadows* and C.M.G. Vivian*  (2002) Review of current state of knowledge of the impacts of marine sand and gravel extraction. Dredging without boundaries, Proceedings of CEDA conference 22-24th October 2002