Shipping in the north-east Atlantic: Identifying spatial and temporal patterns of change

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 environm...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2022-06, Vol.179, p.113681-113681, Article 113681
Main Authors: Robbins, James R., Bouchet, Phil J., Miller, David L., Evans, Peter G.H., Waggitt, James, Ford, Alex T., Marley, Sarah A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air pollution
Automatic identification system
Density
Environmental impact
Generalized additive model
Indigenous species
Introduced species
Marine conservation
Marine environment
Marine protected area
Marine protected areas
Maritime traffic
Native organisms
Noise pollution
Protected areas
Protected species
Sea vessels
Shipping
Threatened species
Vessel density
Vulnerable species
Wildlife
Wildlife management
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Summary: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. [Display omitted] •Shipping densities are increasing in the north-east Atlantic.•Densities increased by 34% over five years.•Densities increased in 73% of Marine Protected Areas.•This has implications for noise exposure, and collision risk to marine wildlife.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113681