 web.jpg "Sponges in deep water (Credit Dorset Wildlife Trust)")
Sponges in deep water (Credit Dorset Wildlife Trust)
Rare species of deep water sponge can be found here.
The area includes rare chalk reef - one of the few places where this habitat is found in the South-West.
South Dorset is the most offshore area proposed off Dorset’s coastline. The seafloor here is mostly between 40 and 50 metres deep and includes areas of rocky seabed swept by tidal currents and large stretches of sandy gravel.
The area also includes rare chalk reef - one of the few places where this is found in the south-west. In deeper water, the chalk environment is important for marine life, particularly when it forms reefs and sea caves, where it can support rare species of sponge.
The western portion of this recommended MCZ may be an important wintering ground for spiny seahorses when they move to deeper water.
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 set appropriate management within the site as soon as possible.
This site has been proposed for designation in 2013 for the subtidal chalk found within the site which has been identified as at risk by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee as it is highly sensitive to abrasion by benthic trawling.
We need you to urge Defra to remain committed to designating this site in 2013 and to set appropriate management within the site as soon as possible.
Other nearby MCZs
Broad Bench to Kimmeridge Bay South-East of Portland
Location map
South Dorset 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 |
|---|---|
| South Dorset.pdf | 223.36 KB |