2008-2011, CEFAS, Marine Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (MALSF), Assessment of the distribution and intensity of fishing activities in the vicinity of aggregate extraction sites

"This project reviewed the fishing activities taking place within REC areas, their distribution and intensity. Vessel Monitoring System data for fishing vessels over 15m was used to described the activities of the scallop dredging, beam trawling, otter trawling and herring fishing fleet. The project also studied changes in fishing patterns following the introduction of human activities in the Eastern English Channel. Furthermore, an assessment was undertaken on the feasibility of using sidescan sonar data to assess the nature and intensity of fishing activities in an area. Work was also undertaken to assess the distribution and intensity of inshore fishing activities, within an area off the South Coast."