Sensitivity mapping of outdoor activity across Ynys Mon (Isle of Anglesey) coastal land & marine

Consultancy Brief

Sensitivity mapping of outdoor activity across Ynys Mon (Isle of Anglesey) coastal land & marine environments

Project Title

Sensitivity Mapping of coastal outdoor activity and environmental designations, protected species, and habitats on and around Ynys Mon (Isle of Anglesey)

Background

Ynys Môn (Isle of Anglesey) is a nationally significant landscape with extensive coastal and marine environments, including the Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and marine protected areas.

The island’s natural assets underpin a strong visitor economy, with high levels of recreational use including walking (e.g. Wales Coast Path), cycling, water sports, climbing, coasteering and sea level traversing, wildlife tourism, sea fishing and informal access.

Increased visitor numbers and changing recreation patterns are placing growing pressure on sensitive habitats and species, particularly in coastal and intertidal areas.

RSPB Cymru, Isle of Anglesey County Council and NRW are jointly seeking to develop a robust, spatial evidence base to support sustainable recreation management, balancing environmental protection with access and economic benefits.

Purpose of the Commission

To commission a consultant to work collaboratively with the lead bodies, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), other conservation organisations, land managers, and outdoor activity stakeholders to produce an online GIS-based sensitivity mapping tool. This will identify areas where recreational use of coastal and marine environments presents higher environmental risk and supports responsible decision-making through a clear traffic light classification system through the year.

Objectives

The consultant will

Map environmental sensitivities across Anglesey’s designated sites (land and marine)

Spatially represent recreational activity patterns and pressures (a “heat” map)

Identify areas of potential conflict and cumulative impact

Develop an objective, clear and consistent sensitivity assessment framework

Produce accessible outputs to inform future planning, management, and policy

Create a map that can be updated after the project (live) for existing and new locations of protected species and habitats so they can be avoided at sensitive times of year. To include species that are not listed within designations (e.g grey seals that pup form August to November).

Scope of Work

Stakeholder Engagement

Engage with key Anglesey stakeholders, including

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

Local authority services

Conservation NGOs (e.g. RSPB, North Wales Wildlife Trust, National Trust)

Landowners and land managers

Outdoor and marine activity providers (e.g. kayaking, sailing, jet ski/motorcraft, climbing, coasteering, Sea level traversing and exploring sea caves, mass participation walking/running events)

Community and user groups

This should include workshops and targeted consultation to ground-truth data and build consensus.

Data Collection & Review

Compile and review available datasets relevant to Anglesey, including

Designated sites: SAC, SPA, SSSI, Ramsar, MCZ where applicable

Identify and collect data on habitats and species (including seasonal variations such as bird breeding/overwintering, seal pupping) that are sensitive to recreational activities from the presence of people/trampling. Using resources from organisations such as NRW, NWWT, RSPB, Cofnod, etc. Include data management agreements

Wales Coast Path usage and other access routes

Recreational activity hotspots (formal and informal)

Existing visitor management evidence and studies

Identify data limitations and propose pragmatic solutions where data gaps exist.

GIS Mapping & Spatial Analysis

Using GIS software, the consultant will

Overlay environmental sensitivities with recreational use patterns

Identify spatial pressure points and potential/ existi