| Northern Ireland’s answer to the
great tropical reefs has just won European protection.
Maerl - underwater structures similar to coral lying
off the Co Antrim coast - are a hotbed for marine wildlife
and could date back as far as 3,000 BC, according to the Northern
Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
Ancient deposits of maerl at Red Bay off the coast
of Cushendun will join Strangford Lough, Rathlin Island and
Murlough Bay in Co Down as a Special Area of Conservation
(SAC).
Marine biologist Joe Breen of NIEA said the habitat is one
of only a few in these waters. “Maerl is nicknamed
concrete seaweed - it is a very special habitat worthy of
European protection,” he said. “Biologically, this is one
of the most diverse marine habitats within the UK and other
examples occur in southern England and Scotland.”
The maerl ‘reef’ provides a home for a rich
array of marine wildlife and supports scores of rare and unique
species. “It’s the only known site in Northern Ireland for
the orange northern starfish, an Arctic species which is normally
found in much colder, deeper waters,” Joe said.
The habitat was only explored properly in 1999, he revealed.
“We always knew something was there, but we didn't have the
technology at that time to find out what was there,” he added.
Some of the surface sub-fossil was carbon-dated to 650 years,
but Mr Breen said there was no reason to think some of the
materials are not at least 4,000 or 5,000 years old.
The maerl grows just 0.5mm per year and scientists
have discovered 251 different species in the area to-date.
Among them are lobsters, prawns and scallops.
Due to the freak tides, divers can visit the site for just
20 minutes per day. The tides help maerl flourish as
they prevent silt.
Mr Breen said there were numerous potential risks to the
area - including dredging, spoil disposal, bottom trawling,
coastal constructions and anchoring. “The designation will
mean close management from all the stakeholders who may have
an impact on the site,” he said.
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