 Mapping the seabed
This month sees the launch of a project which will put Dorset's coast at the forefront of marine mapping in the UK. A new map of the Dorset seabed from Swanage to west of Portland Bill will provide the first fully contoured map of Dorset's underwater landscapes.
Dorset Wildlife Trust will undertake this project, in partnership with the Channel Coast Observatory and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The first phase, which is expected to take several weeks, will be a sonar survey, showing the exact shape and composition of the seabed. From this, DWT will produce a habitat map for the next phase in 2009, a biological survey of the identified wildlife hotspots in a process called 'ground truthing'. This will involve both contracted and volunteer divers, using video cameras as well as remote cameras operated from boats on the surface.
Peter Tinsley, Marine Conservation Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: "So many factors have combined to make this a timely venture, particularly the current draft Marine Bill and also combining all our resources for increased efficiency and cost saving. This is the largest detailed seabed habitat survey in the UK. We can use this map to identify the most diverse and vulnerable marine wildlife communities in need of the protection of the proposed marine law.
It will really open your eyes to what is down there. It will be in stunning detail, especially around Portland and off St Aldhelm's Ledge."
The project, which has received funding from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, New Forest District Council and Viridor Credits, is being launched on 22nd May at the Dorset Coast Forum.
Notes to Editor
For more information please contact Peter Tinsley at Dorset Wildlife Trust on 01305 264620.
For more about the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, contact the MCA press office on 02380 329401
For more about Channel Coast Observatory, contact Dr Travis Mason on 023 8059 8468 www.channelcoast.org | 
