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Summary of environmental impacts
The launching of craft from designated access
points will have minimal impact on marine features.
The launching of craft from informal access
points, which is relatively common for canoes and sea kayaks,
may result in compaction of feature and damage to vegetation.
Disturbance can be caused to wildlife by the
presence of sea kayaks and canoes in areas inaccessible to larger
craft, including nesting sites. The impact will vary depending
upon the type of activity, the time it takes place and the vulnerability
of the wildlife. However, the representative body has a proven
record of supporting voluntary restrictions in appropriate areas
during the nesting season.
Disturbance is observable at feeding, mating
and roosting times but the impact is extremely difficult to
quantify, particularly as the activity is relatively rare.
Erosion to marine features may be caused by
participants in immersion sports, such as sea kayaking and canoeing,
making direct contact with the feature, although they will tend
to avoid areas with underwater obstructions such as reefs.
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Issue
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mSAC Feature
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Low flushing estuaries
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Fast flushing estuaries
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Mud and sand flats not covered by sea water at low tide
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Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water at
all times
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Low flushing large shallow inlets and bays
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Fast flushing large shallow inlets and bays
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Reefs
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Lagoons
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Submerged or partly submerged sea caves
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Grey seal
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Common seal
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Bottlenose dolphin
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Launching1
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w
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w
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w
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w
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w
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m
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w
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w
*
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w
*
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m
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Noise disturbance
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m
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m
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m
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Disturbance to wildlife2
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m
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m
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m
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m
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m
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m
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m
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m
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m
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m
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Erosion and turbidity3
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m
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m
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m
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m
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m
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m
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m
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Key to impacts
Blank Square - not applicable
m - minimal
w - observable,
likely to be location specific
w * - observable
at certain times, minimal at other times
l - appreciable
Notes
Next Section
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