An independent quality assurance of evidence assessments undertaken by JNCC for possible Tranche 2 rMCZs

Strong, J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8603-097X; Burden, D.; Elliott, M.. 2014 An independent quality assurance of evidence assessments undertaken by JNCC for possible Tranche 2 rMCZs. Peterborough, Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (JNCC Report 519)

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Abstract/Summary

To support the UK Government’s designation of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) is responsible for assessing the evidence underpinning offshore MCZ features of interest (i.e. species of conservation importance, habitats of conservation importance, broad-scale habitats and geological/geomorphological features (Natural England & JNCC 2010).). At the request of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), JNCC and Natural England produced Technical Protocol E and accompanying guidance (JNCC & Natural England 2012, 2013a), which set out the broad principles and approach for assessing the evidence underpinning features within MCZs and recommended MCZs (rMCZ). The assessment considers evidence from multiple sources and is used to determine the confidence in the evidence supporting the presence and spatial extent of features. In response to recent developments in JNCC’s policy relating to the Quality Assurance (QA) of evidence (JNCC 2013b), JNCC has introduced a further QA step into its MCZ work by commissioning an independent audit of the application of Protocol E to features in offshore rMCZ. The Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies (IECS, University of Hull) was commissioned by JNCC to undertake this independent audit of the application of Protocol E. Three rMCZs were selected independently by IECS staff for analysis. These sites contained examples for all four feature types (including a geological/geomorphology feature). Several features were subject to expert judgement for the final confidence assessment. It was apparent that Protocol E had been rigorously and consistently applied to all features and between rMCZs. Where expert judgement had been applied, it resulted in a more accurate assessment of confidence and was firmly in the spirit of Protocol E. Although the reasoning for the use of expert judgement was clearly stated during the audit, it was found that supporting narratives and annotation attached to the evidence list often lacked sufficient detail to convey this as a stand-alone description.

Item Type:	Publication - Report
ISSN:	0963 8901
Funders/Sponsors:	Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Date made live:	16 Nov 2018 12:16 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/521597

Item Type:

Publication - Report

ISSN:

0963 8901

Funders/Sponsors:

Joint Nature Conservation Committee

Date made live:

16 Nov 2018 12:16 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/521597