BRIXHAM fisheries officers and South Hams fishermen have been taking part in a new seabed mapping project.

The Salcombe estuary, rich in many marine species, was chosen as one of two trial zones in the UK by the Seafish Industry Authority which is keen to pinpoint vulnerable species.

By narrowing down the areas where peacock worms, rare sponges and eel grass beds are located, it also releases other areas for commercial fishing like scalloping said Sarah Clark.

She is the new marine environment specialist at Brixham-based Devon Sea Fisheries Committee.

Seafish are trialling the Basic Seabed Habitat Mapping system to find the type and location of habitats with the support of photographic or video record and a sketch map of the site. It will help with future management and reduce the impact of destructive fishing methods such as heavy scallop dredges.

South Hams fishermen Kevin Oakman of V Pimpernell II and Matt Yeoman of Ann have been working closely with the Devon SFC.

With back-up from scientists, the combined team has been generating valuable information on the bed of the marine nature reserve at Salcombe which is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Mr Oakman said: "There is a lot of local interest in this area about the effect scallop fishing has on the seabed and, in particular, on sensitive habitats.

"The video footage we collected is very timely. It has given us and the SFC a much better understanding of the seabed in advance of the winter scallop fishery."

Tim Robbins, deputy chief fisheries officer of the Devon SFC said: "We were very impressed with how easy it is to use the video equipment developed by Seafish and Dr Andy Woolmer. The data will be invaluable.

"I can think of numerous other areas which could be surveyed, and types of fishing gear and their interaction with the marine environment which could be studied."

Seafish spokesman Mark Gray said: "This is only the start. The seabed mapping guidance is part of a toolkit we are developing to help the industry reduce the environmental impact of fishing and show it can be compatible with marine nature conservation interests.

"Video survey data is a key part of these trials in Devon and Sussex. Crucial information is provided that will be used in mapping habitats, that not only support their target species but also act as spawning and nursery areas.

"This type of survey can also be used to understand the vulnerability of these features to certain activities and also provide information on the biodiversity of the seabed. More mapping will follow."

Both trials are being assisted by Dr Andrew Woolmer who is providing advice and the video equipment.

Video clips from the surveys, as well as maps of the site, can be downloaded from www.devonseafisheriescommittee.co.uk