The need for Marine Protected Areas

 Case Study 1

English Channel: Sea Fans and Associated Slow Growing Benthic Species

Many people are surprised to learn that the UK has reefs that are home to corals. Some of the most spectacular of these reefs are found off the south coast of England. The rocky reefs are thought to be one of the most diverse marine habitats in the UK, supporting over 300 species of plants and animals, including a variety of rare and endangered species.

Species

On parts of the south coast the cold waters of the north meet the warm waters of the south, resulting in areas that support both northerly and southerly species. Species found on the reefs include the extremely rare sunset coral (Leptopsammia pruvoti), which can only be found at four sites in the UK, and the pink sea fan (Eunicella verrucosa). Both are national priority species under the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).

Apart from the corals, the reefs also support a range of sponges, bryozoans (sea mats), hydroids (sea firs) and sea squirts. Some of these animals are extremely slow-growing and physically fragile, and they are thus highly susceptible to damage caused by dredging or trawling activities.

© Mike Markey

Surveys being conducted by Link members are collating a body of knowledge on specific areas off the south coast of England, such as these rocky reefs, which have very high biodiversity value. The reefs have been well studied, yet new species are being found and recorded regularly. The diversity of the species we already know of, and the ones yet to be discovered, support our calls to protect these very special areas.

Fisheries

As well as their conservation value, the reefs provide essential habitat for many commercial fish species. Fishermen target these areas for edible crabs, lobsters, scallops and a variety of fish. Unfortunately, the development of some commercial fisheries has led to problems.

For example, some low-lying reefs are susceptible to damage from mobile fishing gear such as scallop dredges. The photos below show the condition of the reef before and after dredging, showing the nature of the damage inflicted on this habitat.  

Reef diversity, including sunset coral © Mike Markey

Scallop-dredging has been shown to result in decreased species abundance and diversity as well as decreased habitat cover and structure on rocky reef habitat. Furthermore, the damage caused is long-lasting to both the reef habitats and their associated species.

Surveys conducted off the south coast in the 1990s confirmed that the reefs were under pressure. A further video survey in 2002 showed that scallop dredging was the cause of the damage.

Evidence of damage to pink sea fans and other reef species can also be seen in specimens being washed up on beaches. Link members have recently carried out seasonal monitoring on a beach and results have recorded 328 colonies of the sea fan washed up on a 600m length of beach between October 2005 and January 2006.

Pink seafans caught in nets  ©Steve Trewhella

Legislative requirements

There are examples of sites in the UK where local fishermen have voluntarily agreed to restrict their fishing activities to protect wildlife. However, where such voluntary agreements have not been forthcoming, there is currently no nationally designated protection measure that could be applied to protect vulnerable areas. While any restricted area is better than none at all, Link is concerned that these areas are isolated, while large areas of important habitat are being damaged on a daily basis.

Case studies such as the rocky reef examples outlined above highlight the inadequacies of the Wildlife and Countryside Act to protect marine species and the need for Highly Protected Marine Reserves to protect fragile benthic biotopes.

Link believes that a network of Nationally Important Marine Sites (NIMS) is needed to help deliver conservation and recovery of the UK’s marine biodiversity. This network must include a suite of Highly Protected Marine Reserves (HPMRs). Link believes that HPMRs, within which any damaging and/or harmful activities (notably extractive activities) are excluded, are essential to underpin the conservation and recovery of biodiversity and ecosystem processes.

Further case studies

Follow hyperlinks below to view further case studies that demonstrate the need for new MPA legislation within the Marine Bill:  

2. Overfalls, Isle of Wight

3. Fanshells

Further information on the Marine Bill

Link has produced a series of Marine Bill Bulletins to inform and focus thinking as the Marine Bill develops. Issue 4 discusses MPAs in more detail and sets out key elements required of the new legislation. To read this and other issues, please see A future for our seas - Marine Campaign information.