Irish Sea; Saint George's Channel; Ireland; Wicklow; Wexford

Habitat characterisation; Habitat extent

Multi-beam echosounders; sediment grabs; sediment dredges

The Irish Sea Pilot Project Habitats classified to EUNIS habitat classification. The EUNIS habitat classification is a comprehensive pan-European system to facilitate the harmonised description and collection of data across Europe through the use of criteria for habitat identification. It is hierarchical and covers all types of habitat types from natural to artificial, from terrestrial to freshwater and marine. Data covers areas of the Irish Sea off the eastern coastline of Ireland. The Irish Sea Pilot Project Habitats surveys completed between 2002-2004. Data generated from the collation of historical sediment and biological data by Joint Nature Conservation Committee as part of the Irish Sea Pilot Project. The original classes assigned to the data were translated to the EUNIS habitat classification system as part of the MESH Atlantic project. Habitat classification and extent mapping supports understanding and knowledge on the nature of the seabed habitat. Habitat mapping translation completed by the Advanced Mapping Services team of Ocean Science and Information Services (OSIS) of the Marine Institute (Ireland). Habitat coverage 100% for the area defined and surveyed.

JNCC (2004) The Irish Sea Pilot Final Report, JNCC

Marine Institute
Rinville
Oranmore
Co. Galway
H91 R673
Ireland