Bass (Credit Paul Naylor)
The Solway is the northern limit of bass and is an important nursery ground for bass, pollack and some flatfish species.
Sand banks provide resting places for seals.
The Solway is a shallow, wide estuary that provides a corridor between England and Scotland. The sand banks provide resting places for seals and the fast flowing waters are home to many species of fish that are not only of importance to us, but also create a rich feeding ground for seabirds.
Smelt and eel are found here, both of which are species of conservation importance. The Firth is an important area for conservation and has existing designations which include, Special Area of Conservation and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Each type of designation protects different features of the area and, with the Marine Conservation Zone, complements each other for maximum protection.
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:
This site is on hold at the moment. Defra has indicated that it needs additional evidence on both the species recommended for protection by stakeholders. The site was put forward for protection of smelt and European eel, although the estuary is also used as a nursery area by other fish and is on a migration route for salmon and sea trout.
We need you to urge Defra to gather the additional evidence needed as soon as possible, to consider designation of this site in a future tranche.
Other nearby MCZs
Location map
Solway Firth 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 |
|---|---|
| Solway Firth.pdf | 188.08 KB |