 web.jpg "Pink sea fan (Dorset Wildlife Trust)")
Pink sea fan (Dorset Wildlife Trust)
Habitats here range from building-sized boulders with massive sponges to sponge and coral-rich rocky ledges.
The Stennis Ledges is an area of parallel rocky reefs rich in reef species such as the pink sea fan.
This recommended MCZ covers the Chesil Beach, between Portland and Abbotsbury, extending out to sea for just under 2km, with an extension seawards to cover the reefs of the Stennis Ledges.
There is a wide range of features within this area. Just west of Portland, the seabed is strewn with huge boulders exhibiting some massive boring sponges. The stretch of sediment alongside Chesil Beach is home to starfish and brittlestars, queen scallops, burrowing anemones and otter shells.
The Stennis Ledges is an area of parallel rocky reefs rich in reef species such as pink sea fans, sponges and bryozoans.
This recommended Marine Conservation Zone has been put forward for potential designation in 2013, government consultation pending.
We need you to urge Defra to remain committed to designating this site in 2013 and to setting appropriate management as soon as possible.
This site has been put forward for designation in 2013 for pink sea fan native oyster and coastal rock habitat found within the site. Both the native oyster and the pink sea fan have been highlighted as being at high risk and particularly vulnerable to scallop dredging within the site by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
We need you to urge Defra to remain committed to designating this site in 2013 and to setting appropriate management as soon as possible.
Contains UKHO Law of the Sea data. Crown copyright and database right and contains Ordnance Survey Data Crown copyright and database 2012
Other nearby MCZs
Downloads
| Filename | File size |
|---|---|
| Chesil Beach and Stennis Ledges.pdf | 217.57 KB |