Assessing Welsh Aquaculture Activities (AWAA) Project

We have assessed, and mapped where possible, the sensitivity of marine biotopes and species to the pressures from a number of marine aquaculture activities.

The Assessing Welsh Aquaculture Activities (AWAA) final report provides information on the project and how the resources were developed, such as methods used, limitations and assumptions. 

Resources

Eight assessment reports describe an aquaculture activity, the pressures with the potential to occur because of the activity, and the sensitivity of biotopes and species to these pressures.

Intertidal shellfish aquaculture using trestles or poles

Intertidal ground laid shellfish aquaculture

Intertidal planted seaweed aquaculture

Subtidal seaweed aquaculture using ropes

Subtidal seaweed aquaculture using rafts

Subtidal shellfish aquaculture using ropes

Subtidal shellfish aquaculture using rafts

Subtidal ground laid shellfish aquaculture

The potential impacts from each of the pressures on the marine environment, summarised in the assessment reports, are based on the evidence collated in the evidence database.

A case study in each assessment report demonstrates how, by using the mapping tool and dashboard you can identify the sensitivity of biotopes and species to pressures at an example aquaculture activity location (works best on desktop).

The evidence database and the biotope and species interactions spreadsheets containing the data used in the mapping tool and dashboard can be downloaded from DataMapWales (gov.wales).

Links to user guides can be found in the instruction tabs of the mapping tool and dashboard.

Project funding

The Assessing Welsh Aquaculture Activities (AWAA) project was supported by the EU through Welsh Ministers and was fully funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.