Flatfish (Credit George Stoyle)
A flatfish making good use of its camouflage.
Habitats here provide opportunities for animals to burrow, such as polychaete worms and bivalve molluscs.
South of Celtic Deep is an arrow shaped site pointing south-east, bordering the UK continental shelf limit on the western side. The southern section of this site overlaps with the Trevose Box, which is perhaps Europe's most successful protection area.
South of Celtic Deep is of particular importance as it contains a variety of important habitats, including coarse sediment, mixed sediment and sand. These habitats provide opportunities for animals to burrow, such as polychaete worms and bivalve molluscs, but also provide suitable surfaces against which fish can hide using their camouflage. Anemones can also be found along the edge of the continental shelf and
hermit crabs dominate areas of coarse sediment on the seafloor.
This recommended Marine Conservation Zone is under consideration for the second tranche of MCZs.
Defra have indicated that this site is now under consideration for tranche two and will potentially be included in the formal consultation at the beginning of 2015. Defra will now working to verify the evidence base for this site and will be looking to engage with stakeholders on both a local and national level to refine information about the site. This site includes an important area for seabirds as well as spawning and nursery grounds for fish species. This site was also identified as being at high risk of damage and deterioration by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee due to the presence of vulnerable features within the site.
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Other nearby MCZs
South of Celtic Deep 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