.jpg "Sunset over Otter (Credit Chris Root)")
Sunset over Otter (Credit Chris Root)
Species which thrive here include the bivalve, peppery furrow-shell, ragworms and crustaceans, which all provide food for birds.
The estuary has been identified as an important nursery area for fish, including bass.
The Otter Estuary extends from the mouth of the estuary, at the eastern end of the shingle beach at Budleigh Salterton, inland as far as the aqueduct near East Budleigh. The lower 2km reach of the River Otter is bounded by an embankment to the west and sandstone cliff to the east. The estuary broadens to a maximum width of 500m. Here the deep, fine sediment has enabled tidal mudflats to form. Species that thrive here include the bivalve, peppery furrow-shell ragworms and crustaceans, which all provide food for birds.
A shingle barrier running eastwards from the west shore virtually closes the estuary from the sea. Behind this there is an extensive saltmarsh with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. This is an important area for birds such as curlews and lapwings.
Overall the estuary has been identified as an important nursery area for fish, including bass. The endangered European eel has also been recorded here.
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:
Although Defra has indicated that there is enough evidence to support designation of the site for the salt marsh and the European eel, they suggest that additional evidence is required to support designation of the site for four additional habitats put forward by stakeholders. This site provides important and productive nursery habitat for fish as well as important feeding grounds for wading and migratory birds. It is also relatively well supported amongst stakeholders and Defra has indicated that there are currently no costs to industry associated with designation of the site.
We need you to urge Defra consider designation of this site as soon as possible for those features deemed to have sufficient evidence. Defra should commit to gathering additional data to consider designation of those additional features requiring more evidence in a future tranche.
Other nearby MCZs
Location map
The Otter 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 |
|---|---|
| Otter Estuary.pdf | 183.54 KB |