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Summary of the main pressures from human activities

Details of the main pressures from each human activity are summarised in the subsections on each activity in the previous section of this assessment. A summary table of the main pressures related to human activities in the North-East Atlantic is presented below.

Table P.1: Summary of main pressures from human activities in the OSPAR Maritime Area
Physical loss of seabedPhysical disturbance of seabedLoss of / change to natural biological communitiesInput or spread of non-indigenous species
Aggregates extractionRemoval of rock, gravel, sandAssociated with dredging; can be temporary or long lasting
Deep seabed miningRemoval of seabed mineral resourcesAssociated with removal of mineral resourcesLoss or change to specialised communities
Agriculture
AquacultureRemoval of mussel seedFor example, the sea squirt Didemnum vexillum or the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas
FisheriesFrom bottom trawlingFrom bottom trawlingShifts in trophic guilds
Oil and gasFrom oil and gas infrastructureFrom oil and gas infrastructureOil and gas infrastructure provide a hard substrate for colonisation
Plastics production and consumption
Renewable energyFrom offshore energy infrastructureFrom offshore energy infrastructureFoundations provide a substrate for colonisation
ShippingFrom dredgingFrom ballast water and transfer on ships’ hulls
TourismConstruction of recreation and tourism facilities and beach nourishmentConstruction of recreation and tourism facilities and beach nourishment; disturbance from recreational boatingAssociated with recreational boating, e.g., the sea squirt Didemnum vexillum
Waste water
Table P.2: Summary of main pressures from human activities in the OSPAR Maritime Area
Input of nutrientsInput of other substances (synthetic / non-synthetic)Input of organic matterInput of litter
Aggregates extraction
Deep seabed miningChemical plumes, release of toxic metals
AgricultureNitrogen and phosphorous lossesPesticides in agricultural run-offFrom plastics used in agriculture; micro-plastics in sewage sludge
AquacultureFrom fish feedChemicals (including contaminants from fish feed); pharmaceuticalsFrom diffuse and point sourcesFor example, nets, bags, other plastic equipment
FisheriesFrom fishing equipment including nets
Oil and gasDischarges from oil and gas installationsFrom oil and gas activities
Plastics production and consumptionPlastic waste; microplastics (e.g., from pellet loss, use in products, abrasion such as tyre wear)
Renewable energyFrom activities associated with construction and operation
ShippingIncluding NOx and SOx emissions, discharges from exhaust-gas cleaning systems, contaminated water, oil pollution, anti-fouling paintsShipping litter and losses of transported goods
TourismFuel, combustion products and antifouling paints from recreational boating and fishingPressures on waste water infrastructureFrom general tourism and recreational activities (including fishing)
Waste waterFrom waste water dischargesChemicals from commercial and domestic use, including pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors and antimicrobialsFrom waste water dischargesIncluding as a vector for microplastics
Table P.3: Summary of main pressures from human activities in the OSPAR Maritime Area
Input of anthropogenic soundInput of other forms of energyInput of genetically modified species / translocation of speciesInput of microbial pathogens
Aggregates extractionFrom aggregate dredging operations
Deep seabed miningNoise and vibration from mining activitiesLighting from mining vehicles
Agriculture
AquacultureDevices to deter predatorsEscaped or introduced fishTransfer of parasites or diseases, including sea lice
Fisheries
Oil and gasInput from seismic surveys and installationsPlatform lighting
Plastics production and consumption
Renewable energyAssociated with construction, operation, and decommissioningLighting, electromagnetic fields
ShippingFrom sources including propeller cavitation and onboard machineryFrom ballast water
TourismFrom recreational boating
Waste waterFrom waste water discharges
Table P.4: Summary of main pressures from human activities in the OSPAR Maritime Area
Loss of target speciesLoss of non-target speciesDeath or injury by collisionDisturbance of species (e.g. where they breed, rest and feed) due to human presence
Aggregates extraction
Deep seabed mining
Agriculture
Aquaculture
FisheriesRemoval of wild speciesRemoval of fish, mammals, birds as incidental by-catch
Oil and gas production
Plastics production and consumption
Renewable energyWith infrastructure (e.g., for birds)
ShippingFor example, with marine mammals
TourismFrom recreational fisheriesIncidental by-catch associated with recreational fisheriesCruise tourism in sensitive destinations; marine wildlife tourism
Waste water
ActivitiesState