Reports of fanshell sightings in the UK
The MCS fanshell survey has been running since Spring 2003. In approximately four years, MCS has received 13 'confirmed' reports of sightings (either from experienced divers, fishermen or marine biologists). 9 of these have been of live animals. See the map on the bottom of this page.
CLICK HERE to see a movie of a Mediterranean fanshell.
Reports of sightings from deep waters
One of the most interesting reports was of a population of 'at least 5000 TONNES' of fanshells approximately 50-100 SWW of the Isles of Scilly in waters approximately 100m deep. This report is unique to us, in that it represents the largest single population that we know about. The area covered by this large bed of shells was large (from the GPS positions given by the Devon-based trawler), although the mapped area is likely to be inaccurate in extent, as it represents the whole soak time for the net, not just the area where the fanshells were caught. It does however give us a glimpse of how many fanshells may be in deeper waters both presently, and before the advent of deep water industrial trawling.
Deep water populations are highlighted in our article in British Wildlife Magazine, looking at 150 years data from the past fanshell records in Cornish and Isles of Scillies waters CLICK HERE to download the article. The above report from the Devon fishermen highlighted the fact that the population was so dense that it destroyed the net of the vessel. Cornish fishermen we have met in the past have said that fanshell beds are initially avoided, but once accidentally damaged by the initial passage of fishing gear, they can lead to good hauls, because scavanger fish and shellfish populations are attracted by the dead fanshell material littering the seabed.
Shallow water populations
Since January 2003, MCS and Seasearch has had surveys funded by Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage and Countryside Council for Wales to revisit areas where anecdotal and historical populations of fanshells have been said to occur. The Survey is part of a wider project involving researchers, divers and conservationists to find out key environmental parameters, distribution and basic biology of little understood BAP species. This project is called 'SPLASH' (Special Protection and Local Action for Species and Habitats).
Oberon Bank, Scotland (August 2003)
Surveys were been carried out in the exposed, deep waters of Oberon Bank where a recreational diver purportedly found 2-3 fanshells in approximately 10-15m of water. An MCS dives team scoured the bank in August 2003 and unfortunately came up with no finds of fanshells. The survey was funded by SNH as the site is just offshore of the Sound of Arisaig Special Area of Conservation which holds significant biodiversity for Scotland's coast. CLICK HERE to read the summary report (pdf).
West Wales (June-August 2003)
MCS received significant funding from the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) to carry out surveys of fanshells in west Wales. Chris Wood of Seasearch led teams to sites in Carmarthen Bay, Skomer Island and Milford Haven, exploring co-ordinates for fanshells as listed in the CCW marine BAP Atlas for Wales (Jon Moore, 2002). Unfortunately, only one dead shell was recorded from within the Milford Haven waterway. We are sure they are there, but need more dives to be carried out to find these animals. CLICK HERE to read the report (pdf).
Seasearch divers will hopefully be carrying out further surveys in the area of Milford Haven in 2007 with an eye for recording presence/absence of fanshells. This is partly through the work of the Skomer Island Marine Nature Reserve team.
Plymouth Sound (July 2004 and April 2005)
MCS/MarLIN received a report of at least 10-20 fanshells in a spectacularly coincidental site - right in front of the offices of the Marine Biological Association, and those of the Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN). The site is known as West Hoe, and is a famous tourist (but not diving) location, with a spectacular promenade sweeping around to a outdoor swimming pool to the east of the bay. The West Hoe 'bay' is approximately 500m across at its widest point, and is the northern most part of the Plymouth Sound. On the single day of the survey (funded by Natural England), we found 3 fanshells, but since that day, at least 2 others have been recorded, and some of them marked with subtidal markers.
© Sally Sharrock
On the day, we also found a rare short snouted seahorse, Hippocampus hippocampus. CLICK HERE to read the MCS/Seasearch report submitted to English Nature with recommendations to designate a protected area around this unique population.
© Sally Sharrock
As a result of the survey, MCS was invited by English Nature in November 2004 to give a presentation to TECF (the Tamar Estuary Consultative Forum) who manage the Tamar and Plymouth Sound SAC. MCS recommended that the area of the seabed where the West Hoe fanshells were recorded should be made a 'no-anchor zone' to prevent any further damage to the shells. The chair of the meeting proposed a voluntary no anchor zone be set up. DOWNLOAD POSTER here.
The local Seasearch/MCS group dived the fanshell bed in April 2006 to resurvey the population, but no more fanshells were discovered on the dive. Visit www.seasearch.org.uk to view information about future fanshell dives in the area.
Discoveries 2004 - 2007
Since the West Hoe population was discovered in 2004, a specimen was found at Loch Duich, Scotland by local diver George Brown (his photo at right) in March 2005. We have received further reports of fanshells in August 2006 12nm south of the Eddystone lighthouse in 80m of water. MCS (Jean-Luc Solandt) gave a presentation at a Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee meeting in April 2005 to ask for information on fanshells from local fishermen. One specimen was reported by Phil Lockley occuring in the Helford Estuary in shallow waters - interestingly in similar confined muddy waters to the specimens recorded at West Hoe in Plymouth. This same specimen was also independently reported by Miles Hoskin in early 2007. MCS Biodiversity Policy Officer Jean-Luc Solandt joined Miles Hoskin to find the fanshell concerned (which was clearly marked with a subsurface buoy), and to survey surrounding mud areas and seagrass beds. No further specimens were found even with excellent (8m) visibility.
The Salcombe 'four' (April/May 2007)
A low spring tide at the Salcombe estuary 'revealed' a four INTERTIDAL individuals - MCS initially received a report of one animal on the west side of the estuary on 21.3.07 from Nigel Mortimer (South Hams Marine Conservation Officer) whilst carrying out an intertidal survey with University of Plymouth Marine Biology Department staff. A more thorough assessment was carried out during the extreme low tide (0.1m) of 18.4.07 in order to survey the entire intertidal section of the seagrass bed within which the original animal was found. The team included members of Plymouth University, Wildlife Trusts, the Marine Conservation Society, Nigel Mortimer, and members of Torbay Countryside Trust. This survey discovered three more animals near to mooring blocks, all within 30m of each other. It was felt that as they were all fairly mature specimens (one was lying on its side which was 23cm long by 15cm wide), the mooring chains hadn't damaged them over the years they had been in situ. Therefore we concluded that it wouldn't be sensible to move the moorings, as this may also damage adjacent seagrass areas, without any benefit to the fanshells we discovered. However we have recommended that boats are prevented from anchoring in these shallow waters, and that any local scallop dredging is carried out away from this important seagrass bed.
In summer 2007, Nigel Mortimer contacted all the foreshore owners near the fanshell population and informed them of their threatened status and the proximity to the coast. He has also let one of the foreshore owners circulate a letter informing their tennants of the presence of the fanshells through a letter which was distributed to each and every apartment in the block they own. Nigel Mortimer has also successfully changed the license terms for the scalloping that occurs in the estuary to restrict access to the seagrass beds which contain the fanshells. If the restrictions are ignored, then the fishermen would have the license to fish the estuary revoked. He has also communicated with the rib owner whose boat is moored very close to the first shell (see picture below). He has agreed to shorten his chain to ensure the vessel doesn't land on the nearest fanshell.
 fanshell |  fanshell |  fanshell (orange gonad) |
 exposed Laminaria |  fanshell and mooring |  slipper limpets on scallop |
 Sally with shell |  The survey team | |
Rathlin Island (June 2007)
A survey by Ulster museum (Bernard Picton) and Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland (Joe Breen) has come up with another sighting of the fanshell at the diverse and highly biodiverse Rathlin Island. Rathlin Island was recommended for special protection in the WWF hotspots report of January 2007, but the fanshell wasn't recorded in the islands fauna at that time. This finding makes it more important still that the area is protected from activities which damage diverse delicate benthic species such as rare and diverse sponge communities and fanshells. One interesting, yet depressing matter with this find is that EHS are unwilling to disclose the exact location of the fanshell to us, as they fear deliberate destruction of the mussel by members of the local fishing community.
If you see a fanshell:
In order to promote the recording of fanshells, we have produced the following leaflets that can be downloaded here:
Click Here for Fanshell information leaflet/recording form for the UK (pdf)
Click Here for Fanshell information leaflet/recording form for Scotland (pdf)
We continue to send out leaflets in order to promote the recording of these rare animals - all too often we receive reports of specimens trawled up, and even picked up by divers ignorant of their protected status. Only by divers spreading the message of the endangered status of this and other marine species, are we likely to get anywhere near protecting known populations of the species in shallow waters. Therefore, please get in touch with us if you hear about, or have seen a fanshell in your area, or on your dive or trawl - we may be able to help you find one of the rarest marine animals in the UK!
Please contact Jean-Luc Solandt at MCS (email - jls@mcsuk.org, tel – 01989 561 594) if you see one, as we need better data on distribution for conservation purposes. Many thanks.
The map below (last updated in May 2007) shows distribution of sightings sent to MCS since 2003. Remember, if you have seen a fanshell, please contact us immediately with information on geographical location, depth, substrate type, and the size of the shell. (Map by Steve Frampton).
