Wight Barfleur

Extended Findings

Over the monitoring period there were eight dark vessel detections within the SAC and surrounding 3 NM buffer which had size and profiles consistent with possible fishing vessels. SAR data was collected between April and June inclusive, with the highest number of detections occurring in April and May in the central and western sections. It is possible that these vessels are transmitting on VMS, and it is recommended to carry out further checks to confirm this.

The high-resolution SAR picked up numerous small dark targets. The profile and size of these detections were associated with pleasure vessel traffic.

Vessel tracking sources did not identify any high-risk behaviour in the MPA during the monitoring period. Three vessels were identified with likely trawling activity in the SAC, they are reported for situational awareness. Predominantly, vessels identified in the SAC were in transit along the English Channel.

EO imagery was useful for identifying vessel types with high confidence; detected cargo vessels passed through the SAC in transit east to west. This behaviour, along with north to south passing pleasure vessel traffic characterises the primary marine spatial use of the site.

Risk Assessment

The main finding within the Wight Barfleur SAC was the prevalence of medium to large sized ‘dark vessels’ (not transmitting on AIS), the lack of AIS use increases the risk of collision in this highly trafficked area. Based on the number of detections identified during the monitoring period, the primary risk areas for activity were in the central and western parts of the SAC.

The majority of vessels identified on tracking data were either small pleasure vessels with class B AIS transponders or large cargo vessels transiting. Fishing is currently permitted in the SAC, if future restrictions for mobile gear are introduced the large numbers of passing merchant vessels will reduce the opportunity for dark vessel activities to go unnoticed and any passing vessel could play a role in aiding monitoring of the SAC.

Next Steps

In the Wight Barfleur SAC fishing activity is currently permitted subject to licence. Therefore, the main risk identified from remote sensing sources originated from dark vessel activity (based on AIS data) which presented a low risk over the Wight Barfleur SAC. It is recommended to carry out further checks to see if these detections are broadcasting on VMS. Vessel tracking and EO data sources did not identify any risks. It is recommended to request and enforce that all licenced vessels are transmitting on AIS and VMS to support Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS).

Due to the sizes of the dark vessels identified in the SAC and the likelihood that these vessel operations often occur over longer time periods (longer persistence over time), SAR is considered a valuable tool for use over the SAC. The large size of the SAC is well covered by SAR swaths and can give an indication of presence and absence of dark vessels cost effectively. This is particularly true when compared to other remote sensing options such as EO which provides smaller coverage relative to the cost. It is recommended to use SAR to identify dark vessels and follow up initially with VMS tracking data. Use of patrol vessels when available and regularly transiting vessel traffic, such as ferries would aid monitoring.

Vessel tracking did not identify any high-risk behaviour, but the data provided a clear understanding of vessel activities for those vessels visible on AIS and VMS. In conjunction with high resolution SAR this would enable effective monitoring and risk detection over the Wight Barfleur SAC.