Shipping in the north-east Atlantic:identifying spatial and temporal patterns of change
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 environm...
Published in: | Marine Pollution Bulletin |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2022
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://research-portal.st-andrews.ac.uk/en/researchoutput/shipping-in-the-northeast-atlantic(521bc781-11d1-4e76-b7df-09cd71508d05).html https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113681 https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/bitstream/10023/25426/1/Robbins_2022_MPB_Shipping_in_the_NE_Atlantic_CC.pdf |
Summary: | 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. |
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