Shipping in the north-east Atlantic:Identifying spatial and temporal patterns of change

• Published in: Marine Pollution Bulletin
• Main Authors: Robbins, James R, Bouchet, Phil J, Miller, David L, Evans, Peter G H, Waggitt, James, Ford, Alex T, Marley, Sarah A
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Air Pollution; Ecosystem; Environment; Noise; Ships; Automatic identification system; Marine protected area; Maritime traffic; Vessel density; Marine conservation; Generalized additive model; /dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/life_below_water; name=SDG 14 - Life Below Water; North East Atlantic
• Online Access: https://pure.sruc.ac.uk/en/publications/12a0d05d-9713-409b-b063-ef7eeb83b36b; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113681; https://pure.sruc.ac.uk/ws/files/47265375/1_s2.0_S0025326X22003630_main.pdf; http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85130639760&partnerID=8YFLogxK

Maritime traffic is increasing globally, with a four-fold increase in commercial vessel movements between 1992 and 2012. Vessels contribute to noise and air pollution, provide pathways for non-native species, and collide with marine wildlife. While knowledge of shipping trends and potential environmental impacts exists at both local and global levels, key information on vessel density for regional-scale management is lacking. This study presents the first in-depth spatio-temporal analysis of shipping in the north-east Atlantic region, over three years in a five-year period. Densities increased by 34%, including in 73% of Marine Protected Areas. Western Scotland and the Bay of Biscay experienced the largest increases in vessel density, predominantly from small and slow vessels. Given well-documented impacts that shipping can have on the marine environment, it is crucial that this situation continues to be monitored - particularly in areas designated to protect vulnerable species and ecosystems which may already be under pressure.