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23 out of a possible 37 sites are included in the long-awaited consultation on
the next stages of Marine Conservation Zone designation in English and non
devolved waters is launched today (Fri 30 Jan 2015). The sites in black show
the 23 the Government has chosen. Those in red are not going ahead. The
Wildlife Trusts are disappointed these have been dropped from this
consultation. For more information about the 14 sites which haven’t made it
to this consultation, please scroll down (page 6)
Coquet to St
Mary’s
Holderness Inshore
Offshore Brighton
Yarmouth to Cowes
Lands End
Bideford to
Foreland Point
Mid St Georges
Channel
Mud Hole
Farne’s East
Fulmar
Runswick Bay
Compass Rose
Cromer Shoal
Chalk Beds
Offshore Overfalls
The Needles
North-West of
Jones Bank
North of Lundy
Swale Estuary
Dover to Deal
Utopia
Studland Bay
Greater Haig Fras
Bembridge
Western Channel
Newquay and the
Gannel
Celtic Deep
Dover to
Folkestone
Norris to Ryde
Mounts Bay
Hartland Point to
Tintagel
East of Celtic Deep
South Rigg
West of Walney
North St Georges
Channel
Allonby Bay
South of Celtic
Deep
Slieve Na Griddle
1. Coquet to St Mary’s
Coquet to St Mary’s stretches along the Northumberland coastline and includes both
Coquet Island, important for breeding and foraging seabirds and grey seals, and St Mary’s
Island, valuable for its rocky reefs which support crustaceans and carpets of bottom living
animals, such as the prickly sea urchin. The seafloor, which reaches 30 metres in depth,
consists of a mosaic of habitats. These include different rocky habitats interspersed with
mixed sediments, unique shoreline underboulder communities and estuarine rocky habitats.
All of these support thousands of seabirds and marine mammals, including 90% of the UK
roseate tern population, harbour porpoises, white-beaked dolphins and whales.
2. Farne’s East
Farne’s East is located 11km offshore from the Berwickshire coast and within close
proximity to the Farne Islands, making it an important foraging area for seabirds, such as
guillemots and razorbills. The seafloor reaches between 30 -100 metres in depth making
the Farne’s East one of the deepest patches of the North Sea. The seafloor comprises a
mosaic of habitats, including rock, mixed and coarse sediment, sand, mud and patches of
peat and clay. This is one of the few sites within the North Sea to include mud habitats,
important for nephrops (scampi) and delicate blonde and red sea pens. The glacial feature
to the south, known as the Farn Deeps, is of particular importance for foraging and breeding
white-beaked dolphins with regular sightings recorded.
3. Fulmar
Fulmar is located 224km offshore from the Northumberland coast and is the most northerly
recommended MCZ within the North Sea. Reaching between 50 - 100 metres deep, it is also
one of the deepest recommended MCZs found within the northerly North Sea. The seafloor
consists mostly of sand and gravel with some patches of coarse sediment. This provides an
ideal home for creatures to bury themselves, like the ocean quahog. This long lived bivalve
mollusc is often preyed upon by North Sea cod. Camouflaged against the surface of the
seafloor, the undulate ray is a regular visitor. Fulmar, as its name suggests, is an important
area for seabirds providing foraging grounds for northern fulmar and gannet.
4. Runswick Bay
Runswick Bay, located north-west of Whitby, boasts a highly productive seabed. The MCZ is
recommended for seven out of the 12 different seafloor habitats found here, including rock,
sediment and gravel. Shallow rocky areas here are dominated by kelps and red seaweeds
whereas deeper areas are encrusted in a living faunal turf of sponges, sea squirts, sea
urchins and starfish. Interspersed with sand and gravel, this area is also important for
burrowing creatures such as worms. Runswick Bay also provides spawning and nursery
grounds for many fish, including herring, sprat, cod, whiting and plaice. Harbour porpoises
are regularly recorded here alongside foraging seabirds, such as kittiwakes.
5. Holderness Inshore
Running from Skipsea to Spurn Point, the seafloor here boasts a wealth of diversity,
including habitats of cobbles, mixed sediment, sand and chalk, alongside patches of peat
and clay. This mosaic supports a dense coverage of hydroid and bryozoan turf, sponges and
ross worm reef as well as many fish, including tope and smoothhound. A large number of
crustaceans are also found here, including eight species of crab. Harbour porpoises and
minke whales are often spotted from the shore passing through this area. Holderness
Inshore is also important for foraging seabirds as well as migrants. Within the southern
region is ‘The Binks’, a geological feature forming the seaward extension of Spurn Point
6. Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds
Located just 200 metres from the Norfolk coast is the start of an exciting stretch of chalk
reef, ranging from 0 – 20 metres in depth. This unique reef comprises boulders, stacks and
arches and is most likely to be Europe’s largest chalk reef. Alongside chalk, the seabed is
composed of a mixture of rock, sediment, peat and clay. Marine life is abundant here,
including blue mussel beds, over 30 species of sea slug, harbour porpoise, grey and harbour
seals, alongside occasional sightings of sunfish and basking sharks. The chalk habitat here
hosts large communities of crustaceans, burrowing piddocks, sea squirts, anemones and
sponges; the purple sponge found here is a species new to science and was only discovered
in 2011 by Dr Claire Goodwin. Shoaling fish are also a common sight and provide food for
many seabirds, including common, little and Sandwich tern.
7. The Swale Estuary
Between the north Kent coast and the Isle of Sheppey is an area well known for the birds
which come to feed on the abundance of life in and on the rich muddy seabed. Seals also
use these waters to forage for food, and haul out on Horse Sands to rest at low tide. The
Swale forms an important spawning and nursery area for several species of fish, which can
find shelter in the seagrass and mussel beds in addition to the muddy gravel. Here, greater
pipefish, close cousins to the seahorses, come to feed in the shallow water. Off Whitstable,
the famous shingle spit known as ‘The Street’ is surrounded by areas of colourful red, green
and brown seaweeds and beds of peacock worms with their beautiful whorls of tentacles.
8. Dover to Deal
Running between Kingsdown, Deal to the north and Dover to the south is an important
stretch of rich chalk reef, lying below the famous white cliffs of Dover. The naturally eroding
chalk cliffs give rise to boulderstrewn shores, and shaded habitat for unusual assemblages of
colourful sponges and sea squirts. The chalk platform extends across the shore and out to
sea, with deep sand-filled gullies between tall ridges of chalk covered in seaweeds, sponges
and anemones. Large crabs and lobster find shelter within the chalk in recesses, while baby
cuttlefish swim around the outcrops, demonstrating their amazing camouflage. Further
offshore, the chalk gradually becomes covered in coarse sediments. Here, thousands of
sandy tubes made by tiny ross worms form significant reefs which can harbour a wonderful
diversity of wildlife and support the whole food web.
9. Dover to Folkestone
Lying between Dover and Folkestone is a diverse seabed structure. Below the white cliffs is
an important stretch of marine chalk reefs, interrupted by the Samphire Hoe platform which
contains the spoil from the Channel Tunnel. Heading towards Folkestone both on the shore
and out to sea, the chalk gives way to soft grey clay and then to the lower greensand that
can be seen at Copt Point. Twin-shelled molluscs called piddocks live in the holes they bore
in the soft chalk and clay here. Harder rock is rare in the South-East, and the rugged
outcropping ridges of Folkestone’s sandstone support many fragile branching sponges,
alongside soft corals, fan worms and anemones. Crevices in the rock harbour crustaceans,
fish, and even cuttlefish, while the edges are adorned with light-bulb sea squirts or
bottlebrush bryozoans.
10. Offshore Brighton
Situated south of Brighton and extending out to the median line with France, this large area
is situated in deeper offshore waters within the English Channel. These deeper waters are
less affected by natural disturbance than those which are inshore, allowing a wide range of
species to colonise the gravel undisturbed. The area is also important for rarer deep-water
rocky habitats. Such diverse gravel communities provide rich hunting grounds, supporting a
range of other species, such as rays. Ross worm ‘reefs’, known as biogenic reefs, are present
here. Formed out of consolidated tubes of ross worms, these structures add additional
complexity to the seafloor and encourage other marine species to live there.
11. Offshore Overfalls
This area is diverse and species-rich with a variety of habitats including sandstone reefs. It
also encompasses the Overfalls, an unusual area of mixed sediment, sands and gravels that
form sandwaves which are particularly important for bony fish and elasmobrachs such as
undulate rays and tope. Commercially and ecologically important species have been
recorded here: bass, cod, sandeels, and Molgula sea squirts to name a few. Ross worm beds
are present at several locations, while blue mussel beds are also thought to occur here. This
site hosts the geomorphological remains of an ancient river valley that once flowed through
the Channel before it flooded to separate England from the mainland continent.
12. Utopia
In Utopia, rocky reef and boulder outcrops create a habitat for sponges and corals that
would otherwise not exist here. Over 15 species of sponge have been recorded with many
more yet to be identified. Soft corals, such as dead man’s fingers, and white striped
anemones are also common within this area. Utopia has been recommended as an MCZ on
the grounds that it hosts one of only two regional examples of these fragile sponge, coral
and anemone communities. This area was actually named after the tope shark as it partly
makes up an important pupping ground for this UK species. The surrounding seabed is
largely covered in deep deposits of sand and gravel. Utopia is close to an aggregate
extraction area, where the sand and gravel is dredged for use in the construction industry.
13. The Needles
Inshore around Alum Bay and the Needles, the seabed is predominantly chalk reefs with
deep gullies; it’s rich in seaweeds. In Totland and Colwell Bays, the seabed is largely sandy
and supports seagrass meadows, which in turn host breeding colonies of sea hares – a type
of marine slug. This site contains the only records of the stalked jellyfish Lucernariopsis
campanulata in this region. It is also one of only a handful of locations of peacock’s tail
seaweed – a brown alga that prefers warm water and is thought to be restricted in this
country to Devon, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. This area is an important site for blackheaded gulls, cormorants and other seabirds which come to forage for food.
14. Western Channel
Western Channel is located 54km south-east of Lizard Peninsula and its southern boundary
follows the UK continental shelf limit. A mosaic of habitats are included within this
recommended MCZ, including coarse sediment, mixed sediment and moderate energy rock.
These habitats support many benthic species, these are animals that live on the seafloor
such as polychaete worms, bivalve molluscs and echinoderms. Productive frontal systems
are found in the Western Channel. These frontal systems carry an abundance of fresh food
from cooler deeper waters into the sunlit surface waters where plankton can flourish. This
feature acts as a catalyst for marine life and brings together many marine animals to feed
including seabirds and cetaceans, such as the short-beaked dolphin.
15. Mounts Bay
Mounts Bay recommended MCZ stretches from the eastern side of the bay to encompass St
Michael’s Mount and the Marazion area. A range of habitats can be found here but the
most dominant is high energy rock and sand. This high energy environment is home to
several important species such as seagrass, stalked jellyfish and crayfish, as well as being a
well recognised area for dolphin, porpoise and basking shark. The area is adjacent to
Newlyn: one of the country’s largest fishing ports and home to many fishermen, who have
been consulted on the positioning of this site.
16. Land’s End
Land’s End is in one of the South-West’s most recognised areas and is renowned for its
rugged coastline. Tidal currents and high productivity attract large marine life such as
whales, dolphins and basking sharks. The recommended MCZ off Gwennap Head is an
outstanding area subject to large tidal and wave energy. It’s is one of the UK’s best spots for
critically endangered Balearic shearwaters, which visit and feed in the area. Rare species
colonise the rocky reef such as the pink sea fan. The area is also very important for
commercial fish and shellfish species. Activities such as hand line fishing are unlikely to be
affected if the site is designated due to their minimal impact. This means the MCZ would
protect hand lining fishing activities as well as the species and habitats on the seabed.
17. North West of Jones Bank
North-West of Jones Bank is located 165km west of Land’s End and supports important
habitats, such as subtidal mud, which is indicative of these stable offshore areas where fine
particles are able to settle. Mud is particularly important habitat for a variety of marine
species, including polychaete worms and brittlestars that in turn support the marine food
web. This area is known to be an important foraging ground for seabirds during winter.
Diving birds in particular will migrate to the sea during winter, including internationally
important Great northern divers that move offshore from August until the early spring when
they move back to their largely Icelandic breeding grounds.
18. Greater Haig Fras
Greater Haig Fras is an isolated area 95km northwest of the Isles of Scilly in the Celtic Sea.
This area is particularly significant as it encompasses all of the Haig Fras, a geologically
valuable, fully submersed outcrop of bedrock. A range of important sediment habitats
surround the Haig Fras. Partially embedded boulders and cobbles provide complex habitats
for important marine species to shelter within and find food. The Haig Fras rock complex is
the only substantial area of rocky reef in the Celtic Sea beyond the coastal margin and
supports a mosaic of plants and animals, including fantastic jewel anemones, Devonshire
cup corals and encrusting sponges.
19. Newquay and the Gannel
The suggested boundary of this recommended MCZ includes the Gannel Estuary, stretching
along its seaward boundary. This area encompasses a number of different habitats,
including intertidal rocky habitats, both fine and coarse intertidal sediment, coastal
saltmarsh, saline reedbeds as well as subtidal habitats ranging from sands and gravels to
rocky reef. This wealth of habitats supports several important species such as the protected
pink sea fan, crayfish and European eel. Other commercially important species include
sandeels, which can be seen using the sand and gravel to avoid predators, and salmon,
which migrate up the estuary to breed. Newquay Bay is an important nursery area for
juvenile flatfish, bass, scad, smoothound sharks and rays. Giant gobies live in deep pools
along the exposed rocky headlands. Rare stalked jellyfish and scarlet and gold cup corals
can be found in lower shore pools.
20. Hartland Point to Tintagel
The Hartland Point to Tintagel recommended MCZ has a higher than average species and
habitat diversity. It is potentially important for cetaceans and sharks, especially porbeagle
sharks. Characterised by steep, rocky cliffs, sea caves and stretches of sandy surf beaches,
this coast is exposed to high levels of wave energy. The area extends from the shore line to
depths of approximately 50 metres. Near to the shore, gently sloping bedrock is dominated
by a number of notable algae and kelp forest species. Lower shore habitats have
exceptionally fine colonies of the reef-building honeycomb worms, which some consider to
be the finest in Britain. Mussel beds are extensive in the northern half of the bay. In deeper
waters, vertical and upward facing underwater rock is dominated by bryozoans, sea squirts
and sponges. The pink sea fan has also been recorded here.
21. Bideford to Foreland Point
This stretch of coastline has a long and diverse list of interesting and scarce species. It is
characterised by cliffs and rocky shores, small sandy bays and inlets with an expanse of
sandy shoreline at Bideford Bay. Fragile subtidal sponge and anthozoan communities are
present here. Other notable species include the native oyster, peacock’s tail seaweed,
Celtic sea slug and European eel. Reef builders include the ross worm and honeycomb
worm. Additional rare, scarce and sensitive species present are the pink sea fan, scarlet and
gold star coral, Weymouth carpet coral, policeman anemone, Devonshire cup coral and
stalked jellyfish. The area is also important for seabirds and cetaceans, with harbour
porpoises visible from headlands along the coast. The local community are especially
involved in this site and were extremely disappointed it was not designated in tranche one.
22. West of Walney
West of Walney recommended MCZ lies just off the coast of Walney Island, Cumbria. The
site lies at the northern approaches to the Irish Sea’s Morecambe Bay in northwest England.
The area contains two different seabed habitats: mud to the north, and sand to the south,
both of which are brilliant habitats for marine wildlife. High densities of burrowing brittle
stars colonise the surface of the sandy areas, whilst sea urchins, worms and molluscs enjoy
the mud alongside the commercially important Dublin Bay prawn. Delicate sea pens also
live on the West of Walney mud. Sea pen numbers are in decline in this area, so protection
should help them to thrive once more.
23. Allonby Bay
Allonby Bay recommended MCZ hugs the coast on the English side of the Irish Sea’s Solway
Firth. It encompasses two extremely important areas for marine life, Dubmill Scar and the
offshore area of Maryport Roads. The area contains many different species of sponge, soft
coral, seaweed, sea squirt, anemone, crab, fish and the reef-building honeycomb worm.
Honeycomb worm reefs are a key feature of northwest England’s coastline and Allonby Bay
contains some of the best examples of these reefs in the UK. The reefs play a vital role as a
home to other species, allowing their settlement and safety in otherwise shifting sediments.
The 14 sites which haven’t made it to this consultation:
Compass Rose
Compass Rose is located 30km off the Yorkshire coast and is approximately 50 metres deep
throughout the area. The seafloor consists of sand, coarse sediment and rock and is home
to several species of crustacean. Located within the site are approximately 6.5km2 of hard
rocky ground known as ‘Heartbreak Ridge’. Compass Rose provides spawning and nursery
grounds for fish including plaice, herring, lemon sole, sandeel and sprat. During the summer
months the area captures the most northerly section of the Flamborough Front, an
upwelling of nutrients where the cooler northern and warmer southern waters of the North
Sea mix, providing an important food source for marine mammals.
Bembridge
The area is a national stronghold of the peacock’s tail seaweed and is one of only two
recommended MCZ sites in the southeast where both species of native seahorse have been
recorded. The kaleidoscope stalked jellyfish has also been found here: one of only two
locations in the region which supports this beautiful and delicate species. Bembridge is the
only known regional location of maerl. This fragile, calcareous, red seaweed resembles a
knotted mass of twigs and provides lots of shelter for other species. Naturally exposed
rocky reef hosts assemblages of sponges, anemones and corals. Mud dominates in the
north and is home to one of the very few European species of spoon worms. These bizarre
creatures have brains in their long tongues, which extend out of their burrows in search of
food.
Norris to Ryde
This area boasts one of the largest seagrass meadows in the south-east region; the meadow
in Osborne and Wootton Bays extends 4.5km along the coast and covers more than 200
hectares. They provide important nursery areas for juvenile fish and crustaceans such as
spider crabs. The lagoons at the top of Wootton Creek have one of the largest populations
of the tentacled lagoon worm Alkmaria romijni in the country. Further offshore burrowing
animals, like mantis shrimp, inhabit the large expanses of subtidal mud. The Solent is
considered a hotspot for these fascinating crustaceans. Mantis shrimp hide in burrows
waiting for unsuspecting prey to pass. They locate their prey accurately, with some of the
most advanced eyes in the animal kingdom, and then unleash their awesome weapon: a
spear-like barbed claw that impales the prey at the speed of a bullet.
Yarmouth to Cowes
This area has some of the best peat exposures in the region, notably at Bouldnor where an
underwater peat cliff rises up to nine metres from the seabed. This cliff is thought to be
8,000 years old. Before it was submerged by sea level rise, it was inhabited and is rich in
archaeology. In Thorness Bay, clay exposures form ledges at low water and expose the
holes of piddocks: molluscs which use their serrated shells to excavate protective holes in
soft rock. Sheltering under the many limestone boulders at Thorness are thriving wildlife
communities, which include porcelain crabs, sea squirts and sponges. Off the shores of
Yarmouth and Bouldnor, there are extensive seagrass meadows. Newtown Harbour is one
of the few locations for estuarine rock in the region.
Studland Bay
Home to an amazing diversity of species, Studland Bay recommended MCZ runs from the
iconic Old Harry Rocks to the northern tip of Studland Bay. Extensive and dense seagrass
meadows in the sheltered south of the bay are home to breeding populations of both
British seahorses as well as pipefish, wrasse and juveniles of commercial species such as
bass, bream, flatfish and cuttlefish. The endangered undulate ray also appears to be using
this area as a nursery ground. In the wider bay, shallow-water, sandy plains support a range
of shellfish, including the native oyster, the Chinese-hat shell, hermit crabs and the masked
crab. Within the sand live many species of burrowing bivalves and worms such as lugworms
and the sandmason worm.
North of Lundy
The North of Lundy recommended MCZ represents an area of higher than average species
diversity for the South-West. The seabed consists of sand and coarse sediments, with some
areas of rock. The depth of the site is between 35 and 55 metres below sea level and it lies
about 14km away from Morte Point in North Devon. Surveys carried out over the past five
years have provided new information about the area’s marine habitats and wildlife. Its
coarse sediment is home to a range of worm and shellfish species while the rock provides a
firm base for the tubebuilding Ross worm. Designation of the North of Lundy recommended
MCZ will ensure that the area’s sediment habitats are well-represented in the UK-wide
network of marine protection
South of Celtic Deep
South of Celtic Deep is an arrow shaped site pointing south-east, bordering the UK
continental shelf limit on the western side. The southern section of this site overlaps with
the Trevose Box, which is perhaps Europe’s most successful protection area. South of Celtic
Deep is of particular importance as it contains a variety of important habitats, including
coarse sediment, mixed sediment and sand. These habitats provide opportunities for
animals to burrow, such as polychaete worms and bivalve molluscs, but also provide
suitable surfaces against which fish can hide using their camouflage. Anemones can also be
found along the edge of the continental shelf and hermit crabs dominate areas of coarse
sediment on the seafloor.
Celtic Deep
The southern tip of the Celtic Deep is 112km north-west of Trevose Head and the western
tip is 84km from the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales. The site is particularly important for its
deep water mud habitats, which are rare for this region. Important frontal systems occur
here during summer indicating its value as an area of high productivity, which is supported
by the recording of large aggregations of copepods. Copepods are essential for the health of
the marine food web and contribute to the diet of the second largest fish in the world, the
basking shark. Celtic Deep is an important aggregation area for seabirds and common
dolphins. One of the largest ever known gatherings of fin whales in British waters was
recently observed here.
East of Celtic Deep
The East of Celtic Deep recommended MCZ is located 40km south of the Pembrokeshire
coast in Wales. Subtidal sand and mud provides habitats for an abundance of marine
species here. Many of these are critical in the functioning of the marine ecosystem, such as
burrowing worms and bivalve molluscs. Large numbers of anemones and hermit crabs have
been observed dominating the shallower waters of the area. Frontal systems that occur
here give rise to a highly productive area during the summer months. This increase in food
supply attracts a significant number of whales, common dolphins and seabirds. Outside of
summer the area remains particularly important for wintering birds.
Mid St George’s Channel
Mid St George’s Channel recommended MCZ lies between west Wales and eastern Ireland.
The seabed within this site is largely made up of sand and gravel, allowing annelid worms,
clams and crustaceans to thrive. Sea firs, anemones and sponges are just some of the
delicate creatures found amongst the cobbles. All these species form an important part of
the biodiversity of the Irish Sea as a whole. Seasonal thermal fronts in St George’s Channel
increase phytoplankton productivity and encourage shoaling fish to frequent the area. This,
in turn, makes St George’s Channel an important feeding ground for breeding seabirds and
for passing whales and dolphins
North St George’s Channel
North St George’s Channel recommended MCZ includes a variety of important habitats off
the coast of Anglesey, northwest Wales. The nature of the seabed here has been shaped by
glacial and subterranean activity, forming glacial drumlins and carbonate slabs. The
carbonate slabs in this area are structures formed by methane gas leaking from the seabed.
This site also hosts rocky habitats, mixed sediments, sands and gravels that create a range of
habitats for many different species to colonise. Sponges, hydroids, worms, crustaceans,
brittle stars, sea urchins and sea squirts are just some of the species that have been
recorded in the depths of this site. Many of the features of this site are in need of recovery
and as such they have been identified as important habitats for the UK to protect.
Slieve Na Griddle
This recommended MCZ includes the Pisces Reef Complex; a potential European Special
Area of Conservation (SAC), proposed due to the uniqueness of its habitats and the diversity
of its creatures. The Pisces Reef Complex is a series of protruding rocky mounds rising from
15-35 m from the seabed of the Irish Sea. The reefs create a solid habitat with nooks and
crannies that allow many species to live within its shelter. Lampshells, sea squirts, sea mats,
fern-like hydroids and fish all take advantage of this. The reefs are also a resting and
feeding place for wider-ranging species of fish and marine mammals. Within the rocky
mounds lies a plateau of mud and sediment; a sheltered area for Dublin Bay prawns, brittle
stars and other species to settle in relative safety.
South Rigg
South Rigg recommended MCZ lies between southwest Scotland, the Isle of Man and
County Down, Northern Ireland. This site includes part of the Irish Sea Mounds, undersea
rocky outcrops that provide a solid base for creatures to colonise. As a result, there is a
myriad of species that call this area home including: anemones, brittle stars, sea firs, sea
mats, tube worms, slender sea pens, heart urchins, mud shrimps and Dublin Bay prawns.
South Rigg also supports the only known breeding population of ocean quahog (a type of
clam) in the Irish Sea. This species is on the list of threatened and declining species in the
North-East Atlantic. The oldest ocean quahog found was 507 years old and so they are used
in scientific studies on climate change. They are also an important food source for the
North Atlantic cod.
Mud Hole
The main habitat at Mud Hole recommended MCZ is mud and home to a diverse range of
creatures that form a vital part of the Irish Sea’s food-web. The volume and variety of life in
these mud habitats is on a par with that in rainforests on land and coral reefs in the sea.
Mud Hole is a deep-water muddy habitat, around 35 m deep, that lies 21 km off the west
coast of Cumbria, northwest England. The site covers an area just short of 72 km2 that is a
perfect habitat for burrowing creatures such as Dublin Bay prawns, angular crabs and
shrimps. Delicate sea pens and hydroids also make this mud their home, as do sea urchins
and a variety of molluscs. A number of worm species also feature here, some creating
strange, volcano-like domes on the seabed.