 web.jpg "Jewel anemone (Credit Kat Sanders)")
Jewel anemone (Credit Kat Sanders)
A substantial area of rocky reef in the Celtic Sea supporting many plants and animals like this jewel anenone.
Greater Haig Fras is an isolated area 95km north-west 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, the Devonshire cup corals and encrusting sponges.
This recommended Marine Conservation Zone is ON HOLD at the moment as Defra has indicated that there is not enough evidence to support designation.
We need you to urge Defra to use this data gathered as soon as possible to consider designation of this site in a future tranche:
This site is on hold as Defra has indicated that there is not enough ecological evidence to support designation of this site for any of the habitats or species recommended by stakeholders, other than for the Haig Fras rock complex. This rock complex is an important geological feature; it is the only substantial area of rocky reef in the Celtic sea beyond the coastal margin. This site was also identified by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee as being at risk of damage and deterioration due to pressure on the vulnerable habitats and species found within the site.
Due to the vulnerability of the site, we need you to urge Defra to commit to further data gathering and to consider it as a high and urgent priority for potential designation in the future. The site should be protected from damage and degradation in the meantime.
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 |
|---|---|
| Greater Haig Fras.pdf | 287.42 KB |