Skerries and Causeway SCI
Status: Designated
Description
Site overview
This area on the north coast is home to the beautiful harbour porpoise. The area should protect the reefs and sandbanks that are found here, too.
MPA Type
Site of Community ImportanceSpecial Areas of Conservation (SACs) are strictly protected sites designated under European legislation. They contribute both to the UK MPA network and set up to protect habitat types and species considered to be most in need of conservation at a European level (excluding birds). Sites that have been adopted by the European Commission but not yet formally designated by the government of each country are referred to as Sites of Community Interest (SCIs).
Designation date
1 August 2012Surface Area
108.64 km2 (41.95 mi.2)Perimeter
99.83 km (62.03 mi.)-
Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
The harbour porpoise is the smallest and most common cetacean recorded in UK waters.
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Subtidal sandbanks
Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time
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Submerged or partially submerged sea caves
Typically associated with reefs, caves that are either underwater all the time or welcome the sea at high tides, caves provide a habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals.
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Reefs
Areas where the bedrock, stable boulders and cobbles or structures created by animals arise from the surrounding seabed. They attract and provide a home to a huge variety of plant and animal life.
Did you know?…
Over 170 parliamentarians from across the political spectrum signed up to our Marine Charter calling for a network of ‘marine protected areas’ in UK Seas
Over 500,000 records of undersea species and habitats have been collected by volunteer Seasearch divers