 web.jpg "Squat lobster (Credit Dominic Flint)")
Squat lobster (Credit Dominic Flint)
The short-snouted seahorse has been recorded here.
Reefs here are home to delicate species like the yellow staghorn sponge, ross coral, pink sea fan, and sunset cup coral.
The diversity of species found here is high. The Skerries Bank runs along the coast from Leek Cove to Torcross, and overlaps with the Start Point Inshore Potting Agreement (IPA). The IPA is a licensed area that is permanently or seasonally closed to mobile fishing gear (trawling), so that static gear, in particular pots, can be used instead.
Exposed rocky shores are dominated by barnacles and seaweeds interspersed with spiny lobsters, sponges and sea squirts. Slightly farther out, a dense kelp forest is important for red algae species. Within Start Bay, offshore muddy-sand and mud is characterised by molluscs, burrowing crustaceans, sea cucumbers and the burrowing worm Maxmuelleria lankesteri. The reef areas include delicate species like the yellow staghorn sponge, ross coral, pink sea fan, and sunset cup coral.
Overall it is an important breeding area for flat fish and other mobile species. The short-snouted seahorse has also been recorded at this site.
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 putting in place appropriate management as soon as possible.
This site has been proposed for designation in 2013 to protect four of the habitats or species recommended by stakeholders (spiny lobster, pink sea fan and two of the rock habitats found within the site). Defra has indicated that 11 additional habitats and species recommended by stakeholders require additional evidence before they can be considered to be added to the designation. This site provides important nursery grounds for fish and its designation would provide protection to the spiny lobster which is not protected in any existing sites within the south west. Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee also identified this site as being at risk from damage and degradation due to the presence of vulnerable species or habitats within the site.
We need you to urge Defra to remain committed to designating this site in 2013 and putting in place appropriate management as soon as possible. Defra has also commissioned additional work for this site in 2013. They should use this data as soon as possible to help inform designation of the remaining habitats and species recommended by stakeholders.
Other nearby MCZs
Dart Estuary Mouth of the Yealm
Location map
Skerries Bank and surrounds recommended MCZ is located in the map below.
Contains UKHO Law of the Sea data. Crown copyright and database right andcontains Ordnance Survey Data Crown copyright and database 2012
Downloads
| Filename | File size |
|---|---|
| Skerries Bank and surrounds.pdf | 220.2 KB |