Habitat and pressures mapping at the Prince Edward Islands: Towards South Africa's National Biodiversity Assessment 2018

Abstract

The Prince Edward Islands (PEI. have for the first time been included in South Africa’s National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA.. We build on marine spatial planning work completed for the country’s first offshore Marine Protected Area, proclaimed at the islands in 2013. Habitat and biodiversity data for the islands were updated and collated together with entirely new datasets to produce a marine ecosystem classification and habitat map. The new data have allowed identification of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, modelling of top predator forage areas, detailed mapping of kelp habitats and refined bathymetry and substrate classification for the island shelf. Under the National Biodiversity Assessment process the updated spatial information was used to assess pressures and protection status within the island’s EEZ. The main pressure identified was the long-line toothfish fishing which overlapped with several habitats types. Representation of these habitats within the design of the PEI Marine Protected area was assessed. - Abstract as displayed in the - Abstract booklet. The presentation on the day may differ from the - Abstract.