Plaice (Credit Paul Naylor)
A rich area for marine wildlife these sand eels provide food for other important species.
The diversity of these waters not only attracts other species to feed, and us to fish, but also recreational activities such as diving and sailing which are popular here.
Fylde Offshore overlaps the Liverpool Bay Special Protection Area, which was designated to protect birds such as the red-throated diver and common scoter. The alliance will not only protect the birds, but the MCZ designation will protect their food source.
Flat fish, rays, gurnard, swimming crabs, hermit crabs and other crustaceans feed on the bivalves (‘two shells’ such as cockles and mussels), making this region not only full of amazing creatures but also of great value to the fishing industry. If maintained this MCZ could provide a healthy population of species to spill over into other parts of the coastal waters.
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 putting appropriate management in place as soon as possible.
This site is recommended for designation in 2013 to protect all the habitats recommended by stakeholders. If protected, this site will contain the second largest area of subtidal sand in the region and important nursery and spawning grounds for several commercially important fish species.
We need you to urge Defra to remain committed to designating this site in 2013 and to putting appropriate management in place 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 |
|---|---|
| Fylde Offshore.pdf | 264.18 KB |