Written question asked by Lord Dykes (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Thursday, 18 November 2010.

Marine Mapping

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress is being made by public and private sector marine mapping initiatives for seabed contouring following the Dorset Wildlife Trust results in summer 2010.

Answer: The Dorset Wildlife Trust’s marine mapping programme (DORIS) is considered to be an extremely valuable baseline mapping programme, and we are advised that there should be no additional survey work required for this area. Natural England has used the DORIS results, published last summer, to inform and develop revised boundary recommendations for the Studland to Portland possible special area of conservation (pSACs) following analysis of the results of a formal consultation on a package of eight pSACs and two possible special protection areas in English waters. Other mapping initiatives are taking place, and Defra has set up a memorandum of understanding with a range of organisations to ensure that there is greater efficiency and improved co-ordination for seabed survey data. It allows for the exchange of existing and future data between participating organisations at no cost and has established a mechanism to ensure that participating organisations' future surveys are programmed in such a way so as to avoid duplication where ever possible.

Secondary information