Modelled vector layers (shapefiles) of spatial extent of aquaculture potential in the Dorset East Devon Fisheries Local Action Group area, 2018-2019

Polygon shapefiles converted from modelled raster layers of aquaculture potential, with values ranging between 0 (representing no potential) and 1 (representing full potential). The underlying raster layers were derived by combining conservation, legislative, human infrastructure features and activity boundaries with environmental requirements for specific aquaculture species/system combinations. The polygon boundaries delineate aquaculture potential areas with a modelled raster classification of 0.5 or higher (i.e. 50% of threshold values are optimum for the specific species/system combination). Polygon shapefiles produced in the context of the FLAG Aquaculture Mapping project (2018-2019). The purpose of the project was to identify and map areas best suited (and with least conflict) to specific types of sustainable marine aquaculture, within the boundaries of the Dorset and East Devon Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) area. The filenames of layers representing unique species/system combinations are in the format: ‘Dorset EDevon FLAG species-name growing-system AquaPotential.shp.’ The shapefile ‘Dorset-EDevon-FLAG TotalAquaculturePotential ALL.shp.’ represents the combined spatial extents of aquaculture potential for all species/system combinations. The shapefile ‘Dorset-EDevon-FLAG TotalAquaculturePotential Optimal.shp’ represents the combined spatial extents of optimal aquaculture potential where the combined modelled raster classification was 0.5 or higher (i.e. 50% of threshold values are optimum for all species/system combinations). The data layers represent a broad overview of aquaculture potential in the Dorset and East Devon FLAG area, but detailed site-specific investigations would be required for local planning applications and licensing purposes.