Marine Nature Reserves

Wales’ only Marine Nature Reserve is aimed at protecting important marine habitats and species off the Pembrokeshire coast.

Sea slug Coryphella browni ©Phil Newman CCW

Crawfish (biodiversity action plan species) ©Trevor Rees

Seaweed community ©Kate Lock CCW

Pink seafan monitoring photography (biodiversity action plan species) ©Rohan Holt CCW

Grey Seal female ©Mark Burton CCW

Grey seal pup ©Phil Newman CCW

Parazoanthus axinellae and sponge community ©Mark Burton CCW

cuckoo wrasse ©Tim Moran

Velvet swimming crab on a wall of jewel anenomes ©Kate Lock CCW

Dahlia anenomes ©Blaise Bullimore

What are Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs)?

They are a way of conserving sea habitats and wildlife, and other features along the shore and on the seabed.

CCW can apply to the First Minister of the Welsh Government, asking that an area be designated a Marine Nature Reserve.

How are they protected?

Special byelaws can be passed to protect MNRs.

They are created through discussion and mutual agreement between the various parties concerned. They also draw attention to the value and fragility of marine sites.

Where is Wales’ MNR?

Around the island of Skomer and around the Marloes Peninsula on the Pembrokeshire Coast.

MNRs in Wales at 31 May 2008

Protection of MNRs

Designation of MNRs
CCW may apply to the Welsh Government to designate Marine Nature Reserves under Section 36 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This applies to areas of land covered by tidal waters or parts of the sea, which may be designated for the following purposes:

• To conserve marine flora, fauna, geological or physical features of special interest in the area;
• To provide special opportunities for scientific research and study.