The reefs in Lyme Bay are extremely rich and diverse in wildlife with over 300 species recorded so far. Lyme Bay is where the cold waters of the north meet with the warm waters of the south resulting in the area supporting both northerly and southerly species.

Of particular interest are the seven species of coral recorded including dense populations of the nationally protected Pink Seafan and the extremely rare sunset coral (only found at 3 other sites in the UK). Both these species are national priority species under the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).

Devon Wildlife Trust has been studying the reefs for 15 years and, along with The Wildlife Trusts, has campaigned for their protection. During the 1990s, Devon WT worked with the local fisherman and negotiated a voluntary agreement in 2001 to stop scallop dredging in two parts of the Bay. This agreement broke down last year demonstrating the need for a statutory approach. Natural England subsequently called upon Defra, with the backing of The Wildlife Trusts to introduce an Order to stop the damaging activity.

Defra is now consulting on options for protecting the Bay’s marine wildlife and are gathering information to assess its importance for designation under European law. We urge them to protect 60 square miles of Lyme Bay, less than 10% of Lyme Bay.

Diving, potting and sea angling are all activities that take place in Lyme Bay; each relies on healthy reefs for their future. All can be carried out without damaging reef habitats. The economic value of the sustainable use of Lyme Bay Reefs to local communities is double that of scallop dredging.

Homarus Ltd have published a report on Lyme Bay for The Wildlife Trusts. The report details research and analysis undertaken to estimate the likely economic value of different uses of a proposed conservation zone in Lyme Bay.
Read the full report here.

More seabed destruction - or a sustainable future for the Lyme Bay Reefs? It’s a simple choice.

To find out how you can get more involved visit the Save Lyme Bay Reefs website.

Latest Research:

The Lyme Bay Report

View the lastest damage to the Lyme Bay Reefs

Pink seafan records in Lyme Bay and the voluntary closed areas pdf

Lyme Bay Pink Seafan drop video survey methodology Winter 06 pdf