Kingmere recommended Marine Conservation Zone

Rob Clark1, Ceri James2 and Rob Irving3

Surficial geologigy within the Kingmere rMCZ Marine Conservation Zones The Government aims to have clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas. An ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is an essential part of this strategy. Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs - a type of MPA) are a component of this and Government has a duty to designate MCZs under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. The procedure to identify MCZs will help to deliver the Governments aim of a well-managed network of MPAs that is understood and supported by stakeholders. This poster is intended to contribute to the understanding of the Kingmere rMCZ. Kingmere rMCZ Kingmere rMCZ is an inshore site measuring 48 km off the Sussex Coast. The site is being recommended for designation as an MCZ in 2013. The following features within the site have been identified for protection: subtidal chalk, Black Bream (Spondyliosoma cantharus), Moderate energy infralittoral rock and thin mixed sediment and Native oyster (Ostrea edulis). This poster updates information on the location of the subtidal chalk Feature of Conservation Interest and the Moderate energy infralittoral rock and thin mixed sediment Broadscale Habitat. The characterisation of the surficial geology is based upon side scan imaging gathered by Sussex IFCA, Tarmac Marine Ltd and Hanson Marine Ltd. The sonar data is informed by data gathered as part of the Sussex Searsearch project and published in Irving 1999.

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Rock Sand Gravel Rock outcrop Ridge or crest

Chalk outcrops

Kingmere Rocks

Chalk outcrops occur within the rMCZ. Linear chalk outcrops are exposed to the south of Kingmere Reef, (within the rMCZ) and extend > 1km (EMU 2011, 2009), forming, what appears to be preferential bream nesting habitat. Surrounding the principal reef exposures and the infilled paleaochannels the bedrock is of the Tertiary Bracklesham Group (and associated lignite), and chalk is covered with a veneer of coarse sediment. Smaller areas of coarse sand are associated with depositional areas near to the exposed reefs. Worthing Lumps is the best example of an exposed chalk outcrop and consists of two separate northerly facing chalk exposures, ranging in height from 2 -3m. Worthing Lumps in the SE corner of the Kingmere rMCZ box. Right Top : Worthing Lumps as seen in the sonar record and Right Below as described in Irving, 1999

Kingmere Rocks is a sandstone bolder reef of moderate energy infralittoral rock (EUNIS A3.2) that is composed of large sandstone boulders which form a conspicuous feature which extends 2-3 m off the seabed and ranges in depth from 6 to 14 m BCD. The sandstone boulders which form the reef are regularly 1 -2 m in length and 0.2 0.5 thick. The upward facing surfaces of sandstone bedrock and boulders are covered by marine life, the tops of the shallower ones < 8m depth BCD having a covering of foliose red algae, whilst those slightly deeper are dominated by a dense animal turf; particularly the bryozoans Bugula spp. and Flustra foliacea. Irving (1999) Right Top : Kingmere Reef as seen in the sonar record and Right Below as described in Irving, 1999

Contact [1] [2] [3]

Mr Robert Clark rweclark@gmail.com Sussex Inshore Fisheries & Conservation Authority, Shoreham, BN43 6RE School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, LL59 5AB Sea-Scope, Marine Environmental Consultants, Combe Lodge, Bampton, Nr. Tiverton, Devon EX16 9LB

Publications JAMES, J W C, PEARCE, B, COGGAN, R A, LEIVERS, M, CLARK, R W E, PLIM, J F, HILL, J M, ARNOTT, S H L, BATESON, L, DE-BURGH THOMAS, A, & BAGGALEY, P A. 2011. The MALSF synthesis study in the central and eastern English Channel. British Geological Survey Open Report OR/11/01 EMU (2011) Area 435/396 Monitoring report, report no 11/JJ02/1843/1184 & 11/J1/06/1850/1232. IRVING, RA. 1999. Report of the Sussex SEASE/IRCH Project, 1992-1998. Published by the Sussex SEASEARCH Project. English Nature, Lewes.

Location of Kingmere rMCZ.Contains information from the Ordancne Survey copyright and database right 2012. Ordance Survey 100022021. UKHO data British

Extent of Sonar data from within Kingmere rMCZ from which surficial sediments and habitats are inferred. For the main survey area data was gathered by Sussex IFCA on 5th May 2010 Sussex IFCA 2010 using a Benthos 1624 duo sidescan sonar interpreted using Triton Imaging sonar suite. Additional sonar survey data provided by Marine Ltd and Hanson Marine Ltd. as part of ongoing surveys by EMU ltd forming part of a geophysical Survey of Area 435/396