Redesign
The redesign of the CSEMP programme began in 2004/05, following
the 2nd holistic assessment of the NMMP. The key issues that needed
to be addressed were:
- In some matrix/parameter combinations the power of the
programme to detect trends was poor
- The first Charting Progress Report had moved towards regional
assessment, which was not well serviced by the fixed station
sampling design of the NMMP (now CSEMP).
Further requirements on the redesign have been added following
the development of the UK Marine Monitoring Strategy (UKMMAS),
including harmonisation with the Water Framework Directive and
Habitats Directive.
Initially Scottish data was used to develop an improved
redesigned programme. SEERAD endorsed this and are funding a 3-year
pilot study, which is being undertaken by FRS and SEPA. The
Environment Agency and Cefas have subsequently assessed how the
proposed approach could be adopted for waters around England &
Wales and a random stratified sampling strategy is currently being
trailed, alongside the existing annual CSEMP sampling
programme.
Guiding principles for redesign
- Move towards sampling regions or water bodies, rather than
specific sites, to generate more useful management information and
to improve power (by controlling local spatial variation).
- Use sediments to inform on status (i.e. typical concentrations)
and trends (in the medium-term of 10-20 years) in each region.
- Use contaminants in fish to support biological effects
monitoring and to satisfy OSPAR requirements
- Use shellfish to inform on trends in biota