 web.jpg "Medway Island (Kent Wildlife Trust)")
Medway Island (Kent Wildlife Trust)
The sheltered Medway Estuary, with its scattered islands and creeks, acts as a wonderful nursery area for fish.
The very rare tentacled lagoon worm lives here.
This dynamic estuary plays host to populations of the very rare tentacled lagoon worm which lives in the narrow channels upstream.
The sheltered muddy gravels in the area support some of the most diverse communities of animals in the region, providing rich nursery grounds for many fish, including skate, sea trout and an unusual sub-species of herring.
The mosaic of habitat types also includes saltmarsh islands and banks and mudflats which contain many molluscs, worms and crustaceans that live within the sediment.
The area is also frequented by seals which haul out on the estuary banks and seabirds which forage for food in the rich muddy sediment.
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 is proposed for designation in 2013. Defra has indicated that there is enough evidence to support designation of three of the habitats or species recommended for protection by stakeholders, including the tentacled lagoon worm. Seven additional habitats and species recommended by stakeholders for protection within this site are considered to need additional evidence before Defra will put them forward for protection.
Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee have identified this site as being at risk of damage and degradation due to the presence of sensitive habitats or species within the site.
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. Defra should also commit to gathering additional evidence to support the designation of the remaining habitats and species recommended by stakeholders as soon as possible.
Other nearby MCZs
Thames Estuary The Swale Estuary
Location map
Medway Estuary recommended MCZ is located in the map below.
Contains UKHO Law of the Sea data. Crown copyright and database right and contains Ordnance Survey Data Crown copyright and database 2012
Downloads
| Filename | File size |
|---|---|
| Medway Estuary.pdf | 232.17 KB |