Undulate Ray portrait Paul Parsons 2Undulate Ray © Paul Parsons

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are areas of the sea where human activities such as fishing are restricted so as to afford protection for habitats, particular species and ecosystem processes. MPAs do far more than protect the wildlife found within them and are not simply closed off, no-take areas; they can have influence beyond their boundaries and are managed in a way which allow sea-users to co-exist and for activities to be conducted in a sustainable manner.

MPAs include a number of different types of designations:

Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs)
European Marine Sites

Why do we need MPAs?

The seas around Sussex and the surrounding Channel are heavily used by shipping, recreational users and maritime industry; they are also home to a huge variety of marine life and feature important habitats and natural features.

For a long time our seas and the resources within have been taken for granted and subject to over-exploitation, pollution and direct damage. This has lead to destruction of habitats and the decline of species. For these reasons it is important that we afford protection to our marine environment, in order to avoid further damage, recover from past declines, and allow sustainable use of the marine environment.

Fulmar Peter Brooks 8Fulmar © Peter Brooks
Sussex Marine Protected Areas map

common bottlenose dolphin caroline weir 1common-bottlenose-dolphin-caroline-weir-1

Marine Conservation Zones

In Sussex there are nine Marine Conservation Zones, covering 22% of the Sussex seas. We also now have a Highly Protected Marine Area (HPMA) in Sussex waters, which falls under the same legislative framework as MCZs – this site is called Dolphin Head, and falls partially within the Offshore Brighton MCZ.

Since 2011, 91 MCZs have been designated nationally, as well as three HPMAs.

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Sussex Marine Conservation Zones

Offshore Brighton

In the deeper waters of the English Channel the gravel seabed is less disturbed by wind and waves allowing a wider range of species to colonise it. The gravel and accompanying rocky reefs provides rich hunting grounds for skates, ray and other fishes.

Offshore Overfalls 


Sand and gravel beds form important habitats for Undulate and Blonde Rays, flatfish, Tope Sharks, Sand Eels and commercially important Cod and Bass. Ross Worms form biogenic reefs which shelter a variety of smaller animals and juveniles. The whole site is extremely diverse, and thought to be one of the most species rich areas in the South East.

Utopia

Utopia supports one of only two regional examples of fragile sponge, coral and anemone communities. Over 15 species of sponge have been recorded with many more yet to be identified. Named after the Tope Shark, this area is thought to be an important pupping grounds for this species.

Selsey Bill and The Hounds

Remarkable and unusual outcrops of limestone and clay are captured within this area. The numerous ledges and crevices provide homes for many marine species. These include Short-Snouted Seahorses, Squat Lobsters and crabs. Bottlenose Dolphins have also been recorded here. The Hounds limestone reef is covered by a fascinating array of sea squirts, sponges and soft coral. Tompot Blennies and Leopard-Spotted Ggobies are often seen on cliff ledges, whilst colourful wrasse can be observed near the top of the cliff face.

Pagham Harbour

One of only three places in the UK where the exceptionally rare Defolin’s Lagoon Snail occurs. Other species include the lagoon sand shrimp, found in Ferry Pool on the west side of the harbour, the beautiful Starlet Sea Anemone, Native Oysters, adult eels and elvers.

Kingmere

This area contains excellent examples of rocky habitats, which support abundant marine life. Black Sea Bream aggregate in the early summer months in this area to build nests and lay their eggs; they require a particular habitat to build their nest (which is sometimes called a ‘lunar pad’) which will then be guarded by the males until the eggs are ready to hatch.

Beachy Head West

A wave-cut platform of sub- and inter-tidal chalk gullies and ledges is home to all kinds of marine life here. The surface of the chalk is pitted with holes, mostly caused by burrowing Piddocks and boring worms. Ross Coral, sponges, sea squirts, anemones, bryozoans and hydroids all cloak the chalk reefs. This MCZ also protects the Short Snouted Seahorse, which come to the area in the summer to breed.

Beachy Head East

This area is characterised by the Sovereign Shoals, an extensive wildlife-rich chalk and sandstone reef with outcrops of chalk. Soft corals also colonise the underside of slab surfaces together with tube worms. The biogenic reefs present provide homes for a diversity of marine life. Fishes found amongst this area include Short-Snouted Seahorses, Cuckoo Wrasse and large numbers of Bib and Poor Cod.

Inner Bank

Relatively rare for the south east region, this area features significant areas of exposed rocky reef. The rocky habitat is able to support a rich diversity of animal life, for example European Lobsters. Elsewhere in the area the movement of the thin veneer sediment which covers the rock can be colonised by a variety of species.

Dolphin Head HPMA

Designated in 2023 as one of only three sites to be afforded this high level of protection, Dolphin Head has the potential to be incredibly biodiverse, supporting commercially important species, sensitive species like Ross Worms, and visiting marine mammals and sea birds. Unfortunately the site is in a degraded state; we hope that the new protection will allow it to recover.

European Marine Sites

European Marine Sites are areas at sea, partly or completely covered by tidal water, which are protected by European law for their special wildlife and natural habitats.

These include Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs), both of which play a key role in conservation by providing refuges for nationally threatened habitats and species. These sites form an integral part of the UK’s network of Marine Protected Areas.

SACs are designated under the European Union’s Habitats Directive. They protect specific species and habitats and each site will have conservation objectives to describe what is important for achieving a healthy state for each of the features protected.

SPAs are designated under the European Union’s Birds Directive. These sites have been identified as areas of importance for the breeding, feeding, wintering or migration of birds found within EU countries which are classified as rare or vulnerable.

European Marine Sites in Sussex

Solent Maritime SAC

This area includes areas of sea grass and also encompasses important estuarine and salt marsh habitats.

Chichester Harbour SP

This area has been designated for a number of breeding, wintering and migratory birds, including the Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, Redshank, Ringed Plover and Dark-bellied Brent Goose. The area incorporates extensive mud-flats and sea grass beds, as well as a wide range of other coastal habitats which support important animals and plants.

Pagham Harbour SPA
The harbour includes a number of coastal habitats, including salt marsh, mud flats, lagoons and shingle which support breeding and wintering birds. The designation covers the Little Tern, Ruff and Pintail.

Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay SPA
This large area encompasses a range of coastal habitats and sits on the boarder of East Sussex and Kent.

The shingle beach at Rye Harbour supports breeding gulls and terns; the SPA also includes areas of salt marsh, sand flats and mud flats.

Dungeness to Pett Levels SAC
Annual vegetation of drift lines and perrenial vegetation of stony banks are the habitats giving the primary reason for selection of this site as an SAC.

Defra’s Revised Approach to Fisheries in European Marine Sites

In 2012 Defra issued a revision to its approach to fisheries in European Marine Sites in the inshore waters of England in order to afford protection to the habitats and species – this is in line with our obligations under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives. The revision stated that any fishery operating within a European Marine Site would only be allowed to continue if it did not negatively impact the features of the site.

This revised approach is being phased in on a risk-prioritised basis. Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) are working to ensure that this transition is carried out. 

Visit Sussex IFCA website