Applying the OSPAR habitat definition of deep-sea sponge aggregations to verify suspected records of the habitat in UK waters

In order to improve our knowledge of the deep-sea habitat in UK waters, this study was undertaken to further characterise and verifiy suspected records of deep-sea sponge aggregations by applying the habitat definition provided by OSPAR (OSPAR, 2010). A total of 111 suspected records were assessed from areas including the Faroe-Shetland Channel, Wyville Thomson Ridge, Rockall Bank, Rosemary Bank Seamount, Hatton Bank, the Hebrides continental slope, George Bligh Bank and the Hatton-Rockall Basin.

The results from this study will be used to assist in the identification of Marine Protected Areas in UK waters for deep-sea sponge aggregations, as well as in the development of further work areas concerning the conservation of habitats in UK waters.