Journal
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
Volume 179, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113681
Keywords
Marine conservation; Marine protected area; Maritime traffic; Automatic identification system; Vessel density; Generalized additive model
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Maritime traffic is increasing globally, and this study provides a detailed analysis of shipping in the north-east Atlantic region. The study reveals a significant increase in vessel density, with Western Scotland and the Bay of Biscay experiencing the largest increases.
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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