 web.jpg "Edible crab (Credit Paul Naylor)")
Edible crab (Credit Paul Naylor)
This MCZ will protect blue mussel beds and the exposed peat and clay beds in the Hilbre Island Group.
The smallest proposed MCZ in the Irish Sea.
This area is an archipelago of three islands that falls within the mouth of the River Dee. The smallest proposed MCZ in the Irish Sea, Hilbre Island Group covers just under 5km2 but provides an important home to some of the region's marine life such as blue mussel beds.
The islands can be reached on foot at low tide, but are cut off during high tide, and is a popular area for tourists.
The peat and clay exposures in this area are home to burrowing clams called piddocks. The holes they create provide an important microhabitat
for species such as crabs and anemones.
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 setting appropriate management in place as soon as possible.
This site is proposed for designation in 2013 for both the features for which it was recommended by stakeholders. Designation of this site is important as it will offer protection to the peat and clay exposures found in the area as well as to the mussel beds which form an important food source for birds in the region. This site was identified as being at risk by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee due to the presence of vulnerable habitats and species.
We need you to urge Defra to remain committed to designating this site in 2013 and setting 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 |
|---|---|
| Hilbre Island Group.pdf | 285.31 KB |