Marine Nature Reserves

this map was generated from data owned by the Countryside Council for Wales

A Marine Nature Reserve is a UK designation officially made by the government, with similar status and protection to a NNR it is particularly concerned with the marine environment. Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs) are created by statute (under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) to conserve marine flora and fauna and geological or physiographical features of interest while providing opportunities for study of the systems involved.

Here in West Wales we are lucky to have the only Marine Nature Reserve in Wales, Skomer Marine Nature Reserve. It is a spectacular and diverse environment filled with all sorts of colourful marine life.

40 different species of sea slug have been identified in the MNR, some no bigger than a grain of rice. Crustaceans such as the spider crab, hermitt crab, edible crab, velevt swimming crab, crayfish and lobster are present. Amongst the coral, sponges and sea anemonies, star fish, sea cucumber and fan worms can be spotted all adding to the diversity of colour and texture to the environment. Numerous species of fish move in and out of the reserve as well as jellyfish and even octopus. It is an important environment for marine mammals; there are approximately 180 seal pups born on Skomer each year.