FEAST - Feature Activity Sensitivity Tool

FEAST is a starting point for determining potential management requirements for Nature Conservation MPAs and highlights where further discussion with users of the marine environment may be required. It does not take into account the intensity, frequency or cumulative impacts from activities taking place at specific locations.

The information within FEAST is also provided as generic guidance regarding matters which are capable of affecting the protected feature(s) of a Nature Conservation MPA as described in s81(1) as read with s80(1)(a) of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010, as well as s127(1)(a) of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

FEAST enables users to explore what is known about MPA protected feature sensitivity to pressures and the marine activities that can cause them.

Users can explore FEAST from a feature starting point, such as horse mussel beds, and read information on the sensitivity of that feature to pressures and the associated activities

Users can also explore the FEAST by starting with an activity, such as the farming of finfish, and read information on associated pressures and the features sensitive to them.

A guide to using FEAST is available here

NOTE: FEAST will be periodically updated to reflect best available evidence. This means that exported pages may become out of date. Therefore users are recommended to check FEAST directly before using the information.

FEAST utilises the work undertaken through Defra contract MB0102 to develop a sensitivity matrix of marine habitats and species to pressures taking place in the marine environment (see Tillin et al., 2010). This work has subsequently been adapted to reflect additional evidence available for Scotland’s seas. Much of the evidence presented within FeAST has been derived from sensitivity assessments originally undertaken by MarLIN (http://www.marlin.ac.uk/bacs.php). Assessments have been adapted or altered where necessary to reflect our current understanding, new information and differences in some of the pressure definitions/benchmarks.

• Development of FEAST has involved industry, experts and other stakeholders.
• Evidence for the sensitivity assessments and a full bibliography are available to view within FEAST
• Further Information on the tool can be found here