Jncc coastal Directories Project Region 11 The Western Approaches

the burrowing animals within the sediment, particularly the
large numbers of polychaete worms Myxicola infundibulum
and Branchiomma bombyx.  A number of surveys have been
undertaken within the Helford Voluntary Marine
Conservation Area since 1986.  These have shown a total
loss of intertidal eelgrass Zostera marina beds at Treath and
Helford Passage between 1986-1988 and an overall increase
in populations of the barnacle Elminius modestus and the
peacock worm Sabella pavonina (Tompsett 1994).
The east coast of the Lizard Peninsula, from Nare Point
to Lizard Point, was considered a site of primary marine
biological importance by Powell et al. (1978).  The cliff-
backed secluded rocky shores are relatively sheltered
compared with the peninsula’s west coast and have
communities representative of these habitats.  Around the
Manacles, a small group of rocks about 2 km offshore,
strong tidal currents encourage dense growths of sponges,
hydroids and sea squirts in the sublittoral.  The spectacular
underwater scenery here attracts many SCUBA divers.
Beyond Lizard Point, the shores are described as very
exposed; indeed, they are often cited as classic examples of
this shore type (Davies in prep. b).  The rocky reefs provide
overhangs and crevices for rich populations of sponges,
anemones and sea squirts.  Mount’s Bay is relatively
sheltered and provides a variety of shore habitats including
extensive stretches of sand and rocky reefs, the area being
considered a site of primary marine biological importance
by Powell et al. (1978).  The boulder shore on the north-west
corner of St. Michael’s Mount has rich communities
associated with it (Powell et al. 1978).  A local fishery for sea
urchins Echinus esculentus is centred on Penzance, with large
numbers being found amongst the dense kelp forests
present below low water mark around the bay.  Deeper
water is characterised by anemones, particularly jewel
anemones Corynactis viridis.  Further west, Land’s End has
some of the finest examples of very exposed rocky shore
communities in Britain and as such is considered as another
site of primary marine biological importance (Powell et al.
1978).  Upper shores are dominated by the barnacles
Chthamalus montagui and C. stellatus, limpets and winkles.
In the sublittoral fringe, the pink coralline alga Corallina
officinalis is common, overlain by the kelp Alaria esculenta,
typically found at exposed sites.
The Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly, situated 45 km west of Land’s End, are
the only Lusitanian oceanic archipelago in Britain.  They
have been proposed as a possible SAC for their sublittoral
sandbanks and their intertidal mudflats and sandflats.  The
diversity of habitats, communities and species found on the
shores and in the sublittoral around the islands and rock
outcrops is very high and of international marine biological
importance (Powell et al. 1978).  The range of substrata and
the varying exposure to prevailing wave action (from
extremely exposed to very sheltered) give rise to a great
diversity in community types.  Following extensive work by
the Nature Conservancy Council in the 1980s, in 1988 the
Isles of Scilly Environmental Trust established a Marine
Park in recognition of the importance of the area.  The
archipelago has recently been identified as a Sensitive
Marine Area by English Nature (1994a).  There is also a
strong southern influence on the biota of the islands, owing
to their south-westerly position and the warmth of the sea
water (0.5-1.0°C higher than at adjacent mainland sites
4.2  The sea bed
69
Table 4.2.1  
Locations of marine importance mentioned in the text
No. on Map
Location 
Grid ref.
4.2.1
Cornwall
1
Place Cove
SW8532
2
St. Mawes Bank
SW8432
3
Turnaware Point
SW8338
4
Prisk Cove
SW7927
5
Helford River
SW7826
6
Passage Cove
SW7626
7
Treath
SW7626
8
The Gew
SW7826
9
Nare Point
SW8025
10
The Manacles
SW8121
11
Lizard Point
SW7011
12
Mount’s Bay
SW5230
13
St. Michael’s Mount
SW5130
14
Land’s End
SW3425
15
Isles of Scilly
SV80, SV81, SV90, SV91
16
Sennen Cove
SW3526
17
Cape Cornwall
SW3431
18
St. Ives Bay
SW5541
19
Hayle Estuary
SW5537
20
Godrevy Point
SW5743
21
Trevose Head
SW8576
22
Trevone 
SW8876
23
Trebetherick
SW9278
24
Rock
SW9375
25
Kellan Head
SW9781
26
Widemouth
SS1902
27
Bude
SS2006
28
Duckpool
SS2011
Devon
29
Hartland Quay
SS2224
30
Clovelly
SS3124
31
Morte Point
SS4445
32
Rockham Bay
SS4546
33
Bull Point
SS4646
34
Lundy Island
SS1346
35
Rillage Point
SS5448
36
Smallmouth
SS5647
37
Sandy Bay
SS5747
38
Wild Pear Beach
SS5847
39
Combe Martin
SS5848
40
Foreland Point
SS7551
Somerset
41
Porlock Bay
SS8849
42
Greenaleigh Point
SS9548
43
Watchet
ST0744
44
Brean Down
ST2759
Somerset, Gloucester, Avon,
Gwent, Mid Glam., S. Glam.
45
Severn Estuary
ST26
Gwent
46
Sudbrook
ST5087
S. Glam.
47
Lavernock Point
ST1868
estuary as being a site of national marine biological
importance.  Three areas within the estuary are of particular
interest (Rostron 1987): Prisk Cove has extensive rockpools
and overhang communities of national importance; the
shore and sea bed between Treath and The Gew have an
array of plant communities of regional or even national
importance; and Passage Cove is of regional importance for

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