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Allonby Bay MCZ
Description:
Allonby Bay marine conservation zone (MCZ) is an inshore site on theEnglish side of the Solway Firth. It stretches around 9 km from Dubmill Point in the north to just north of Maryport in the south. The site covers about 40 km2. The site supports extensive areas of biogenic reefs,formed by the honeycomb worm(Sabellaria alveolata) and bluemussel beds (Mytilus edulis). Thesandy beaches (intertidal sand and muddy sand) host a range of species, and the peat exposures support the burrowing clam (piddocks).
Qualifying features:
The Allonby Bay MCZ hosts the following habitats: low, moderate and high energy intertidal rock; intertidal biogenic reefs; intertidal coarse sediment; intertidal sand and muddy sand; moderate energy infralittoral rock; subtidal biogenic reefs, coarse sediment, mixed sediments and sand; peat and clay exposures; blue mussel beds; and honeycomb worm reefs.
Management:
• Solway Firth Partnership provides guidance on responsible angling.• Solway Coast area of outstanding natural beauty countryside code.
Stakeholder Concerns:
Bait collection is a key issue along the north west coast with the impact on the intertidal and trampling on biogenic reefs. There is also concern over commercial peeler crab collection with groups of individuals from the north east travelling to the Beckfoot area of the Allonby Bay at a particular time of year just before the crabs moult. They collect all of the male crabs to store until they have ripened and then sell them on to shops as bait. They currently remove crabs from a 3 to 5 kilometer stretch of coast but this may move further down the coast.