Skomer Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) - Marine Monitoring Programme Overview
Gwarchodfa Natru Forol (GNF) Ynys Sgomer - Rhaglen Monitro'r Mor

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In 2015 Skomer Marine Nature Reserve (MNR) changed designation to Skomer Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). Skomer Marine Nature Reserve (MNR) was designated in 1990.


The Skomer Marine Monitoring Team has focused on developing a range of projects to monitor the health of the reserve and investigate the relevant aspects of the species life histories for baseline information. Large scale surveys developed in the 1970's and 1980's provided the foundation for the monitoring.


This metadata details general monitoring on Skomer, each datasets has its own metadata entry. Monitoring is undertaken to provide an assessment of the condition of features against set targets and will contribute to reporting on the MNR as well as Pembrokeshire Marine Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) within which the reserve lies. Data is collected around Skomer Island and on the mainland between Musselwick Sands and Gateholm Island within the Marine Nature Reserve. Data has been collected from 1975 onwards. An extensive review of images has been completed to determine the quantity and quality of information that could be extracted from these images. Species data has been collated from a number of surveys entered into Marine Recorder which have been packaged for dissemination onto the NBN Gateway.

Identification

Dynodydd
Identifier
NRW_DS110059
Teitl Amgen
Alternative Title
  • 2007 CCW / Marineseen Skomer Marine Nature Reserve sponge monitoring survey (MRCCW16600000002)
  • 2011 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Sponge Survey (MRCCW30900000005)
  • 2015 NRW Skomer Marine Conservation Zone Sponge Survey (MRCCW30000000096)
  • 2005 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve subtidal algal assemblages (MRCCW16800000008)
  • 1992 - 2011 CCW Skomer Maine Nature Reserve Rock Monitoring Sites (MRCCW30000000066)
  • 2001 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Sediment surface epifauna community survey (MRCCW16800000009)
  • 2004 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve sediment surface and burrowing macro & mega-fauna Survey (MRCCW30900000004)
  • 2009 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Sublittoral Macrobenthos Survey (MRCCW3000000005F)
  • 2003 CCW Skomer Nature Marine Reserve Sublittoral Macrobenthos survey (MRCCW30900000002)
  • 2007 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Sublittoral Macrobenthos survey (MRCCW30900000003)
  • 2013 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Sublittoral Macrobenthos Survey (MRCCW300000000A6)
  • 2016 NRW Skomer Marine Conservation Zone Sublittoral Macrobenthos Survey (MRCCW300000000A8)
  • 2005 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Territorial fish species monitoring (MRCCW16800000002)
  • 2013 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Territorial fish species monitoring (MRCCW300000000A0)
  • 2009 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Territorial fish Survey (MRCCW300000000A1)
  • 1994 - 2005 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Condition monitoring of Eunicella verrucosa (MRCCW16800000004)
  • 2003 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Echinus esculentus and other echinoderm species survey (MRCCW16800000005)
  • 2007 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Echinus esculentus and selected starfish species survey (MRCCW30000000057)
  • 2011 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Echinus esculentus and selected starfish species survey (MRCCW3000000009E)
  • 2015 NRW Skomer Marine Conservation Zone Echinus esculentus and other starfish species survey (MRCCW3000000009F)
  • 2002 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Nudibranch survey (MRCCW30000000052)
  • 2006 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Nudibranch Survey (MRCCW30000000055)
  • 2010 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Nudibranch Survey (MRCCW3000000005C)
  • 2014 NRW Skomer Marine Conservation Zone Nudibranch Survey (MRCCW30000000095)
  • 2018 NRW Skomer MCZ Nudibranch Species Survey (MRCCW300000000AB)
  • 2005 CCW Skomer Marine Nature Reserve Bryozoan Records (MRCCW30000000056)
Laith Metadata
Metadata Language
English
Lineage

The first step of the programme was to map survey sites to enable accurate relocation each year. New sites continue to be mapped to allow for the expansion of the projects. The sites cover a wide variety of habitats and species from inter-tidal lichens, benthic rock and sediment, mobile species (e.g. seals and territorial fish) and plankton, and therefore a variety of monitoring techniques are used. Following on from the site mapping, time series data is collected. The majority of the monitoring involves human observation and the development of a series of reliable photographic images. Sediment communities are sampled by Day grab and suction sampler. The data collected provides information and details of the life histories of particular species over time, the stability of communities, the variations in species abundance and the effect of known events (e.g. the Sea Empress Oil Spill) on species or communities. In addition to biotic data, environmental data is also collected to allow the reasons for fluctuation in biota to be investigated with the aim of separating 'natural' change from anthropogenic change. Finally commercial and recreational activities are recorded to monitor changes in user activity."


Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the different monitoring programmes are to be created and stored in the NRW Document Management System (DMS)
Additional Information

Please refer to individual metadata entries for more information. An annual project status report is also published. For an example see Lock, K, Burton, M, Jones, J, Massey, A. (2023) Skomer Marine Conservation Zone, Annual Report 2022. NRW Evidence Report 657.
Dyddiad cyfeirnod y set ddata (Cyhoeddiad)
Dataset Reference Date (Publication)
2016-08-17

Temporal Extent

Begin date
1975-01-01
End date
2013-12-31
 
Categori pwnc
Topic category
  • Biota
    Biota
Perchennog
Owner
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
Cychwynnwr
Originator
  Countryside Council for Wales (CCW). Skomer MNR Team -
Natural Resources Wales, Fishermans Cottage, Marloes, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 3BJ, Wales
enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
Cychwynnwr
Originator
  Assisstant Marine Conservation Officer Skomer -
Natural Resources Wales, Fisherman's Cottage, Marloes, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 3BJ, Wales
http://www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
Cychwynnwr
Originator
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
 

Extent

Extent

Hyd
Geographic Extent
Irish Sea
Hyd
Geographic Extent
St. Brides Bay
Hyd
Geographic Extent
SIR BENFRO - PEMBROKESHIRE
N
W
E
S
Map representing the geographic extent of the dataset


 

Vertical Extent

Medin Extent Keyword

benthic boundary layer

Maint Fertigol
Vertical Extent

Gwerth lleiaf
Minimum value (metres)
10
Gwerth uchaf
Maximum value (metres)
30
System Gyfeirio Cydlynu Fertigol
Vertical CRS
 
 

Distribution

Dosbarthiad
Distribution

Fformat - Math a Disgrifiad
Format Type and Description
  • Database ( Marine Recorder Online - Version 2.09.02 )

    Specification

    Marine Recorder

Lleolwr Adnoddau
Resource Locator
View and Download Data ( WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link )
 

Quality

Ansawdd Data
Data quality

Cwmpas Ansawdd
Quality Scope
Dataset
Dataset
Cydymffurfiad
Conformity
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services
Explanation

This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation.
Degree
false
Lineage

The first step of the programme was to map survey sites to enable accurate relocation each year. New sites continue to be mapped to allow for the expansion of the projects. The sites cover a wide variety of habitats and species from inter-tidal lichens, benthic rock and sediment, mobile species (e.g. seals and territorial fish) and plankton, and therefore a variety of monitoring techniques are used. Following on from the site mapping, time series data is collected. The majority of the monitoring involves human observation and the development of a series of reliable photographic images. Sediment communities are sampled by Day grab and suction sampler. The data collected provides information and details of the life histories of particular species over time, the stability of communities, the variations in species abundance and the effect of known events (e.g. the Sea Empress Oil Spill) on species or communities. In addition to biotic data, environmental data is also collected to allow the reasons for fluctuation in biota to be investigated with the aim of separating 'natural' change from anthropogenic change. Finally commercial and recreational activities are recorded to monitor changes in user activity."


Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the different monitoring programmes are to be created and stored in the NRW Document Management System (DMS)
 

Keywords

Allweddair
Keywords

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0
Math
Type
Theme
Theme

Dyfyniad
Citation

Dyddiad (Cyhoeddiad)
Date (Publication)
2008-06-01
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme

Allweddair
Keywords

NRW Thesaurus
  • Skomer MNR
  • NBN Atlas
  • Marine Recorder
Math
Type
Theme
Theme

Dyfyniad
Citation

Dyddiad (Cyhoeddiad)
Date (Publication)
2026-10-19
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords

Allweddair
Keywords

SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary
Math
Type
Theme
Theme

Dyfyniad
Citation

Dyddiad (Cyhoeddiad)
Date (Publication)
2024-06-19
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.rdf+xml
 

Spatial Reference System

Code
Latitude and Longitude (EPSG::4326)
 

Content

Gwybodaeth Cynnwys
Content Information

Proffil CNC
NRW Profile

Elfennau CNC
Custom Elements

 

Constraints

Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Math o Gyfyngiad
Restriction type
Other restrictions
Other restrictions
 

Access Constraints Directive

Limitations
no limitations
 

Access Constraints Text

Other constraints

Part of this dataset is sensitive and restricted. See individual metadata entries for specific datasets that have a restricted release. Sensitive data must be kept confidential; general release is not permitted due to risk of harm to the environment or third parties. Sensitive data may only be released under an appropriate NRW Licence. Requests should be referred to NRW's Access to Information Officer. Data may be released freely if the sensitive records are removed in advance, or shown only at a coarser scale.
 

Use Constraints

Cyfyngiadau Defnyddio
Use constraints type
Other restrictions
Other restrictions
Other constraints

© CNC/NRW 2013. Recipients may only re-use sensitive data in strict confidence under the terms of an appropriate NRW Licence. No publication or dissemination is permitted, except if sensitive records are removed in advance, or shown only at a coarser scale. Non senstive data and published data on the NBN Atlas is released under and OGL.
 

Attribution Statement

Other constraints

Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved.
 

Licence

Other constraints
Open Government Licence
 
 
 

Metadata

Metadata

Dynodydd Ffeil
File Identifier
4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313130303539 XML
Laith Metadata
Metadata Language
English
Math o adnodd
Resource type
Dataset
Dataset
Dyddiad Metadata
Metadata Date
2026-10-27T10:47:02.62Z
Enw Safonol Metadata
Metadata Standard Name
NRW
Fersiwn Metadata
Metadata Standard Version

1.0

Pwynt Cyswllt
pointOfContact
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
 
 

Publishing Body

Access the portal