Thornback ray (Credit Amy Lewis)
Such diverse gravel communities provide rich hunting grounds, supporting a range of other species, such as rays.
Marine species can colonise here undisturbed by wave action.
Situated south of Brighton and extending out to the median line with France, this large area is situated in deeper offshore waters within the English Channel.
These deeper waters are less affected by natural disturbance than those which are inshore, allowing a wide range of species to colonise the gravel undisturbed. The area is also important for rarer deep-water rocky habitats.
Ross worm ‘reefs’, known as biogenic reefs, are present here. Formed out of consolidated tubes of ross worms, these structures add additional complexity to the seafloor and encourage other marine species to live there.
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:
Defra has indicated that although there is enough evidence to support designation of the site for subtidal mixed sediments, four other habitats were recommended by stakeholders which require additional evidence before designation. Therefore the site is on hold at the moment. The site is important for protection of the rock habitats found within its boundary as they have limited distribution in the region. Defra carried out additional survey work in 2012- this data has not been used in this consultation.
We need you to urge Defra to use this data as soon as possible and to consider designating this site in a future tranche.
Other nearby MCZs
Offshore Overfalls Wight Barfleur Extension
Location map
Offshore Brighton 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 |
|---|---|
| Offshore Brighton.pdf | 200.61 KB |