Spider crab on Kingmere reef (Credit Chris Williams)
Soft coral, a range of sponges and bryozoans prevail at Kingmere Rocks, 10km south-east of Littlehampton.
Potentially high numbers of undulate ray occur in the area as well as the native oyster.
This area contains excellent examples of rocky habitats, which support abundant marine life. Nooks and crannies provide shelter and a solid foundation for species to cling to.
Kingmere recommended MCZ is the most important regional location for breeding black bream which build their nests on hard bedrock overlain with thin sands and gravels. Kingmere Rocks, 10km south east of Littlehampton, includes a large area of sandstone and mudstone reef where fan worms protrude from cracks between boulders and edible crabs shelter under overhangs.
Worthing Lumps, 8km south-west of Worthing sea front represents the best exposures of underwater chalk cliffs in Sussex. Red algae dominate the top of the cliff with hydroids, bryozoans, tube worms and sponges covering the vertical face. Molluscs, including blue mussels and piddocks, are present. Tompot blennies and catsharks make use of the shelter as do lobsters and spider crabs. The seabed at the base of the cliff is home to anemones, whelks and topshells which live in the gravel and chalk pebbles.
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 put in place appropriate management as soon as possible.
This site has been put forward for designation in 2013 for all of the habitats and species recommended by stakeholders.
The site has been identified as the best studied and most important breeding site for black bream and provides an important nursery ground for other commercially important fish species. The site covers impressive examples of outcropping chalk and sandstone features off Sussex, including Kingmere Rocks and Worthing Lumps, 2 of 24 areas off Sussex identified as marine Sites of Nature Conservation Importance. Designation of this site has strong support from all stakeholders and the site has also been identified by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee as being at high risk of damage and degradation due to the presence of highly sensitive features.
We need you to urge Defra to remain committed to designating this site in 2013 and to put in place 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
Pagham Harbour Selsey Bill and the Hounds
Securing the benefits of the Marine Conservation Zone Network: A Case Study of Kingmere recommended Marine Conservation Zone
See below for a case study produced by the University of Plymouth to look at quantifying the benefits of Marine Conservation Zones.
Downloads
| Filename | File size |
|---|---|
| Kingmere.pdf | 228.97 KB |
| Kingmere Benefits Assessment.pdf | 863.71 KB |