A step towards seascape scale conservation: using vessel monitoring systems (VMS) to map fishing activity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Conservation of marine ecosystems will require a holistic understanding of fisheries with concurrent spatial patterns of biodiversity.

Methodology/principal findings

Using data from the UK Government Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) deployed on UK-registered large fishing vessels we investigate patterns of fisheries activity on annual and seasonal scales. Analysis of VMS data shows that regions of the UK European continental shelf (i.e. Western Channel and Celtic Sea, Northern North Sea and the Goban Spur) receive consistently greater fisheries pressure than the rest of the UK continental shelf fishing zone.

Conclusions/significance

VMS provides a unique and independent method from which to derive patterns of spatially and temporally explicit fisheries activi

SUBMITTER: Witt MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2040201 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature