Clean & Safe Seas

CP2 Report Navigation

Hover over one of the 8 CP2 Regions on the map to see the status of components assessed. Clicking on the pop-up will take you to the Summary Table below for more information. In the Summary Table, clicking on the component headings in the left column will take you to the relevant page of the report.

Summary Table - Clean Seas

Components currently assessed	Region
Hazardous substances	Main sources are inputs from rivers, the atmosphere, various industries and agriculture. These sources are subject to controls. In some limited areas marine biota are at risk, particularly near to the main sources in industrialised estuaries. Reservoirs in sediments due to historical contamination will take many years to dissipate to background concentrations due to persistency of the substances.
Radioactivity	Main sources are discharges from the nuclear sector and hospitals and the offshore oil and gas industry which discharges naturally occurring radionuclides. Received doses of radioactivity to both humans and wildlife continue to be well within regulatory limits.
Eutrophication	Main sources are inputs of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from sewage works and agriculture. Ecosystems are at risk if eutrophication occurs. A few very small coastal harbours and embayments with limited water circulation experience eutrophication problems. Nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to these are controlled.
Oil / chemical spills	Main sources are accidental spills from ships and the offshore oil and gas industry. Ecosystems, habitats and species may be at risk if loads are significant. Where significant tonnages are spilt, regional monitoring programmes are implemented to assess risk. Assessment of cumulative impact is problematic.
Beach litter	Main sources are the general public, fishing, sewage discharges and shipping. Aesthetic, economic and environmental impacts may occur if levels are high. Only limited data available for Regions 6, 7 and 8.
Offshore litter	Main sources are from fishing/shipping and plastics discarded on land and at sea. There is insufficient evidence or criteria to assess impacts and state on a regional basis, but several surveys indicate that marine litter accumulates in certain locations due to sea currents.
Noise	Main anthropogenic sources are explosions used in construction and demolition, shipping, seismic surveys, offshore construction and industrial activities and sonar of various types. There is insufficient evidence or criteria to assess impacts and state on a regional basis, but research indicates that cetaceans and fish may be affected by specific noises.

Summary Table - Safe Seas

Components currently assessed	Region
Microbiological quality of bathing waters	The main source is bacteria and viruses originating from sewage treatment works. In 2007 96% of bathing waters met the imperative standard of the EC Bathing Waters Directive, which indicates that water quality is acceptable, and should present a minimal risk to human health. However, the standards are being tightened under the new Bathing Waters Directive to give a higher level of protection.
Microbiological quality of shellfish growing waters	The main source is bacteria and viruses from sewage treatment works. Concentrations of indicator bacteria in shellfish have not consistently met the most stringent standards. In such cases, the shellfish have to be removed for depuration before placing on the market in order to protect public health or in a small number of cases cannot be harvested.
Algal toxins	Algal toxins from phytoplankton can contaminate seafood. The phytoplankton which are the source of the toxins occur naturally in UK waters. Controls are in place, including occasional closures, to protect public health. No shellfish harvesting in Region 8. Algal toxins were not addressed in CP1.

Components currently assessed

Region

Microbiological quality of bathing waters

The main source is bacteria and viruses originating from sewage treatment works. In 2007 96% of bathing waters met the imperative standard of the EC Bathing Waters Directive, which indicates that water quality is acceptable, and should present a minimal risk to human health. However, the standards are being tightened under the new Bathing Waters Directive to give a higher level of protection.

Microbiological quality of shellfish growing waters

The main source is bacteria and viruses from sewage treatment works. Concentrations of indicator bacteria in shellfish have not consistently met the most stringent standards. In such cases, the shellfish have to be removed for depuration before placing on the market in order to protect public health or in a small number of cases cannot be harvested.

Algal toxins

Algal toxins from phytoplankton can contaminate seafood. The phytoplankton which are the source of the toxins occur naturally in UK waters. Controls are in place, including occasional closures, to protect public health. No shellfish harvesting in Region 8. Algal toxins were not addressed in CP1.