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Summary of environmental impacts
Seals and dolphins are particularly attractive
species for wildlife watchers. As a result, accessible colonies
of seals and dolphins in mSAC area are coming under increasing
pressure from visitors. These visitors can cause disturbance
to seals, although disturbance to dolphins is less evident.
However, there is limited data available as to the long-term
impact which seal and dolphin watching may have on populations.
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Issue
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mSAC Features
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|
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Sand dunes
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Saltmarsh
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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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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
|
Common seal
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Bottlenose dolphin
|
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Compaction
|
|
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m
|
|
m
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m
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Erosion
|
|
|
m
|
|
m
|
m
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Litter/waste
|
|
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m
|
|
m
|
m
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Plant and wildlife disturbance
|
|
|
m
|
|
m
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m
|
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w
*
|
w
*
|
w
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Key to impacts
Blank Squares - not applicable
m - minimal
w - observable,
likely to be location specific
w * - observable
at certain times, minimal at other times
l - appreciable
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