In the North Sea these include oyster and mussel beds, eelgrass beds and cold water coral reefs. The extent and quality of some habitats are threatened from human activities such as fishing, land reclamation and the building of littoral structures.
For the maintenance or restoration of the quality of these habitats, a range of management actions could be specified, including the improvement of water quality and the reduction or exclusion of bottom disturbing activities.
The general aim of this EcoQO is to show whether the range of human activities leading to habitats being threatened or put into decline are being adequately managed.