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Skerries and Causeway Survey
2006-2009
A Survey Report from the Nationally Important Marine Features Project
In partnership with
Research and Development Series 12/01
A report commissioned by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency
Skerries and Causeway Survey
2006 — 2009
A Survey Report from the Nationally
Important Marine Features Project
For further information on this report please contact —
Joe Breen
Northern Ireland Environment Agency,
Conservation Science,
Klondyke Building,
Gasworks Business Park,
Lower Ormeau Rd,
Belfast,
BT7 2JA
The opinions expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the current opinion or
policy of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
Authors — Claire Goodwin, Joe Breen, Hugh Edwards, Stephanie Bennett, Gary
Burrows, Bernard Picton
Contractor — National Museums Northern Ireland
NIEA contract number — CON 2/1 (260)
This report should be cited as follows —
Goodwin, C., Breen, J., Edwards, H., Bennett, S., Burrows, G., and Picton, B. (2012)
Skerries and Causeway Survey - A Survey Report from the Nationally Important
Marine Features Project 2006-2009. Northern Ireland Environment Agency Research
and Development Series No. 12/01.
1
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Section Page
1. Introduction 1
Abbreviations used in the report 1
2. Methodology 4
3. Results 4
3.1 Habitat types - key biotopes 4
3.1.1 Bedrock 5
3.1.2 Infralittoral rock 5
3.1.1 Caves and surge gullies 7
3.1.4 Circalittoral rock 7
3.1.5 Sediment biotopes 13
3.2 Habitats of conservation importance 21
3.2.1 Features of European interest 21
3.2.2 UK Biodiversity Action Priority habitats 22
3.3 Species - NI conservation priority species, species of conservation concern and
other species of note present 24
3.4 Recommendations for future work 42
4. Acknowledgements 42
5. References 44
Appendix 1 Description of survey sites 46
Appendix 2 Survey data used in the report 68
Appendix 3 Species composition of biotopes 78
Appendix 4 Species list for survey area 101
Table of Contents
Skerries and Causeway Survey
2
1. Introduction
Skerries and Causeway proposed European Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is sited on the north coast
of Northern Ireland. It is the eastern part of a 30km wide embayment that has the Inishowen peninsular to
its west and Benbane Head to its east. The site is inuenced oceanographically and biologically both by the
warming North Atlantic Drift and by the strong tidal currents that ow through the North Channel to and
from the Irish Sea. It is subject to considerable wave action being open to the Atlantic to the north-west, but
is relatively sheltered from other prevailing swells and includes areas of relative shelter such as behind the
Skerries islands. The site is predominantly marine although there are signicant inuxes of freshwater, from
the River Bann to the west and the River Bush to the east, which can inuence the immediate coastal areas.
The Skerries area is located between the Islay front (to the North-west) and a salinity front to the east which
separates the southern Malin shelf waters from the North Channel of the Irish Sea. This results in warmer
water temperatures than the Irish coast east of Benbane Head (Gowen et al. 1998). The Northern Ireland
Sublittoral Survey (Erwin et al. 1986,1990) recognised the Skerries as an area of biological importance, it is
the only area in which many species with a south-western distribution occur within Northern Ireland.
The purpose of this project was to provide information on species and habitats present in the proposed SAC,
more detailed information on substrate is provided in Clements et al. (2010). The proposed SAC is bounded
by Portstewart Point to the west and Bengore Head to the east with a northern limit just north of the Ridges
(Figure 1). The project combines data from the Sublittoral Survey Northern Ireland project, a survey which
targeted Northern Ireland Priority Species (Goodwin et al. 2011a), with more recent dives undertaken as
part of the Nationally Important Marine Features (NIMF) project (2009-ongoing). One of the aims of the
NIMF project was to investigate features of interest identied from multibeam bathymetric charts of the
north coast of Northern Ireland produced as a result of the Joint Irish Bathymetric Survey (JIBS) project
(http://www.marine.ie/home/services/surveys/seabed/JIBS.htm). This used multibeam sonar to produce high
resolution bathymetric and seabed type maps of the 3 nautical mile coastal strip westward from Torr Head,
around Rathlin Island and extending to Inishtrahull Island off Donegal, excluding the harbour sections of
Lough Foyle. Data is currently processed to a horizontal resolution of 1m and vertical resolution of 1cm,
although with additional processing increased horizontal resolution is likely to be possible. This sort of high
resolution bathymetric data has not been previously available: the existing charts of most of the coastline of
Northern Ireland are Victorian in vintage and compiled from leadline soundings with sextant positioning. An
overview of the bathymetry of the Skerries area is shown in Figure 2.
Abbreviations used in the report
CEDaR - Centre for Environmental Data and Recording.
JIBS - Joint Irish Bathymetric Survey
JNCC - Joint Nature Conservation Committee
NICP - Northern Ireland Conservation Priority Species (listed under Northern Ireland Biodiversity
Strategy).
NIEA - Northern Ireland Environment Agency
NIMF - Nationally Important Marine Features - a partnership marine survey project between NIEA and
National Museums Northern Ireland. 2009-ongoing.
SAC - European Special Area of Conservation
SOCC - Northern Ireland Species of Conservation Concern (listed under Northern Ireland Biodiversity
Strategy).
SSNI - Sublittoral Survey Northern Ireland project. A partnership project between National Museums and
NIEA which surveyed NICP species.
UK BAP Species - Species listed as a UK Biodiversity Action Priority
Species abundances are listed according to the JNCC SACFOR scale (see Hiscock 1996):
S - Super abundant, A- abundant, C- Common, F-Frequent, O- Occasional, R- Rare.
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Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 1 - The boundary of the proposed Skerries and Causeway Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
showing the presence of substrate types.
Figure 2 - Bathymetry of the Skerries and Causeway area. Bathymetric information from the JIBS
project.
Skerries and Causeway Survey
4
2. Methodology
The areas were surveyed by SCUBA diving. Approximately 30 minutes was spent recording. Conspicuous
ora and fauna was noted and specimens were collected when in situ identication was not possible. A JNCC
phase 2 sublittoral habitat form was completed to give record of species and habitats at the site and on most
dives photos and/or video was also taken. A pair of divers were deployed on all dives. This report combines
data collected during the Sublittoral Survey Northern Ireland project 2006-2008, a survey targeting Northern
Ireland Conservation Priority Species (see (Goodwin et al. 2011a); and the results of additional eldwork in
2009 and 2010 targeting features indicated from JIBS data.
Divers were experienced eld biologists with good knowledge of in situ identication. Surveyors were
Claire Goodwin, Bernard Picton (Ulster Museum), Joe Breen, Hugh Edwards, Trevor Harrison, Ronnie
Snyder (Northern Ireland Environment Agency), Paulo Pizzolla (JNCC), and Lin Baldock, Jen Jones, and
Anne Marie Mahon (External Contractors). Each dive is given a unique reference number to which all data
are linked. This is the date backwards (to assist sorting in databases) followed by the number of the dive on
the day. For example the third dive on the 1st of June 2009 would be 090601/03. Tidal range has not been
corrected to chart datum, apart from some of the Seasearch dives (indicated by BCD (below chart datum) in
text). Tidal range for Portrush, the closest port, is small, under 2m. As variation is likely to be less than that
encountered in the course of the dive, it was decided that correction was not necessary.
Additional data from the Seaseach project was also used. Seasearch is a project in which volunteers carry out
marine diving surveys. Recording is at two levels of detail: ‘Observer’ which can be carried out with little
training and does not contain detailed habitat and species information; and ‘Surveyor’ which is equivalent to
a JNCC Phase 2 form. The data is from surveys of the Skerries area undertaken between 2006 and 2009 (see
Goodwin 2007, 2008, 2009). Naturally the surveyors undertaking this recording are not as experienced as
the professional survey team. However, quality of the data is ensured as it is validated whilst being entered
into Marine Recorder and recorders are trained to only record species which they are condent in identifying.
The project is a cost-effective way of supplementing professional survey records and here provides useful
additional habitat information.
All data has been entered into the ‘Marine Recorder’ database and is publicly available through the Centre
for Ecological Data and Recording (CEDaR) at National Museums Northern Ireland. Additional information
and photographs of species from the NIMF and SSNI projects are held in a Microsoft Access database, copies
are held by NIEA and National Museums. Species Records were supplemented with data from the Northern
Ireland Sublittoral Survey. A table of dives is given in Appendix 2.
3. Results
In total 105 different sites were surveyed these are described in Appendix 1. These are largely within the
boundary of the proposed SAC. Sites 1-2 (on the Tun’s Bank) and 102-105 (around Carrick-a-Rede Island)
are outside the boundary but have been included here because they provide information on mobile sand and
sea cave habitats which are similar to those inside the proposed SAC.
3.1 Habitat Types – Key Biotopes
Biotopes were allocated in accordance with JNCC guidelines (Connor et al. 2004). It was only possible to
allocate biotopes to JNCC phase 2 forms and Seasearch ‘Surveyor’ data as Seasearch ‘Observer’ data does
not contain enough substrate information. Habitat descriptions and substrate and species information from
the JNCC records were used to classify sites. Where available photographs and video were used to aid in
classication. As the majority of the data was collected during the SSNI project the main focus of recording
was species and many sites did not have detailed habitat descriptions. In these cases biotopes were allocated
from substrate and species information on the form.
The majority of the sites had already been allocated biotopes by Clements et al. (2010). There are some
minor discrepancies between their allocations and those given here. However, these can mostly be attributed
to the fact that for SSNI dives were often recorded on a single JNCC phase 2 form. This met the purposes
of the SSNI project which was recording species presence. However, often the record represents several
biotopes and these can be hard to distinguish from the amalgamated information. During the NIMF project
5
Skerries and Causeway Survey
each habitat was recorded on a separate form and it is recommended that this practice is continued in the
future. An additional factor which sometimes makes determination difcult is that on rocky substrates, the
boundaries between adjacent biotopes merge. Consequently either biotope could be allocated depending on
the weight given to particular characteristics.
Biotope type for each dive is given in Appendix 1 and 2. Species composition for each biotope recorded is
given in Appendix 3.
3.1.1 Bedrock
Bedrock is an important component of this area with Annex I Reef habitat being a primary reason for
the selection of the proposed Skerries SAC (see NIEA, 2011). The area contains sites with a variety
of exposures, the majority of the area is high energy, being exposed to strong tidal streams and waves,
especially to the north of the Skerries. However, some areas are more sheltered such as bays on the north
side of the Skerries, which are slightly protected from the prevailing wind, and sites on the Storks.
Bedrock is divided into circalittoral and littoral biotopes with the distinction falling around 20-22m. This is
deeper than many other areas of the Northern Ireland coast which may be attributed to low suspended solids
in the water mass which result in greater light penetration, allowing algae to grow at greater depths.
3.1.2 Infralittoral Rock
A variety of infralittoral biotopes are present. Infralittoral sites were not the target of the surveys as the
majority of the sampling aimed to search for NI priority invertebrate species which involved mainly diving
in circalittoral depths. The records that are present are mainly from Seasearch dives or habitats recorded
during a short portion of the dive, consequently data was limited and determining biotopes in some cases
was problematic, as noted by Clements et al. (2010).
In the shallow sublittoral fringe IR.HIR.KFaR.Ala.Ldig (Alaria esculenta and Laminaria digitata on
exposed sublittoral fringe bedrock) was recorded. This often occurs in very shallow water above Laminaria
hyperborea kelp forest. There are not many records but the shallow depth range in which it is present were
not often surveyed.
Many of the infralittoral sites can be classied as IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Ft (Laminaria hyperborea kelp
forest with an understorey of dense foliose red algae on exposed upper infralittoral rock) which, as the kelp
becomes sparser with depth turn into kelp park (IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Pk). The forest biotope is categorised
by dense Laminaria hyperborea kelp with a dense turf of foliose red algae such as Delesseria sanguinea,
Callophyllis laciniata, Odonthalia dentata and Plocamium cartilagineum. Some invertebrate species such
as Asterias rubens, Calliostoma zizyphinum and Gibbula cineraria are present. In the deeper waters the kelp
thins and the kelp park biotope becomes dominant. Here red foliose algae are common and brown algae such
as Dictyota dichotoma may also be present in moderate to high abundances. More circalittoral fauna such
as the cup coral Caryophyllia smithii, the boring sponge Cliona celata and the jewel anemone Corynactis
viridis may be present. The biotope IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypFa (Laminaria hyperborea kelp forest with a faunal
cushion (sponges and polyclinids) and foliose red seaweeds on very exposed upper infralittoral rock) can be
present on exposed rock which is subjected to a greater degree of wave exposure. This is characterised by a
more conspicuous encrusting fauna including sponges and anemones. It was not recorded here but may be
present.
Some sites are less wave exposed, including areas of the Storks and a sheltered bay on to the north of the
Skerries. Here moderately exposed Laminaria hyperborea forest (IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft) and park (IR.MIR.
KR.Lhyp.Pk) is present. These differ from the more exposed biotopes above by having a lower diversity
of cushion forming species and increased coralline algae and bryozoan crusts giving the areas a generally
poorer, grazed appearance. In moderately exposed areas which are strongly tideswept Laminaria hyperborea
park with red algae and a rich fauna of sponges, colonial ascidians and bryozoans (IR.MIR.KR.LhypT.Pk)
occurs. This biotope was recorded from north-west of the Giant’s causeway and near the Storks.
Below the kelp zone the bedrock becomes dominated by foliose red algae (IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR), at some
6
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 3. IR.MIR.KFaR.LhypT.Pk. Strongly tideswept Laminaria hyperborea park with red alage and a rich
fauna of sponges, colonial ascidians and bryozoans. Site 93, North-west of Giant’s Causeway.
Figure 4. Infralittoral rock biotopes recorded from the survey area.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
7
Skerries and Causeway Survey
sites other species were abundant such as the brown algae Dictyota dichotoma (forming the biotope IR.HIR.
KFaR.FoR.Dic).
Areas of boulders and cobbles with kelp and other algae were recorded at some sites. The biotope IR.HIR.
KSed.LsacChoR (Saccharina latissima (formerly Laminaria saccharina), Chorda lum and dense red
seaweeds on shallow boulders or cobbles) was present at the Blue Pool, IR.HIR.KSed.XKScrR (Mixed kelps
with scour-tolerant and opportunistic foliose red seaweeds on scoured infralittoral rock) was recorded from
Ramore Head. These biotopes are undoubtably present at additional sites. However, as for other infralittoral
areas, they were not extensively surveyed.
3.1.3 Caves and surge gullies
Some areas of surge impacted rock were recorded. The caves east of Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge (Site 105)
contained the biotopes IR.FIR.SG.CrSpAsAn (Anemones including Corynactis viridis, crustose sponges
and colonial ascidians on very exposed or wave surged vertical infralittoral rock) and IR.FIR.SG.FoSwCC
(Foliose seaweeds and coralline crusts in surge gully entrances).
Shallow areas of rock on other areas of the Skerries are also subject to high wave exposure. The biotope
IR.FIR.SG.CrSpAsDenB (Crustose sponges and colonial ascidians with Dendrodoa grossularia on wave-
surged infralittoral rock) was recorded from site 69, north-east of Large Skerrie.
Shallow wave exposed areas were not often surveyed, very calm weather is required, particularly for sea
caves, for diving to be safe. It is likely these and other surge biotopes are present in sea caves along the north
coast.
3.1.4 Circalittoral Rock
The majority of circalittoral bedrock around the Skerries is categorised as exposed, with some areas of
moderately exposed bedrock occurring on the Storks and in the bay on the north wall of Large Skerrie.
CR.HCR.XFa.ByErSp (Bryozoan turf and erect sponges on tide-swept circalittoral rock)
This biotope is characterised by a bryozoan turf with erect sponges and anemones. Bryozoans present
included Flustra foliacea, Bugula plumosa and Crisia sp. however, they are not as dominant as in the
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs biotopes. Sponge species including Pachymatisma johnstonia, Polymastia
boletiformis, Axinella species, Raspailia hispida, R. ramosa, Stelligera rigida and S. stuposa are present but
they are less dominant than in the CR.HCR.DpSp.var biotope. Anemones and soft corals include Alcyonium
digitatum, Sagartia elegans, Actinothoe sphyrodeta and Caryophyllia smithii. At some sites the sub-biotope
CR.HCR.XFa.ByErSp.DysAct (mixed turf of bryozoans and erect sponges with Dysidea fragilis and
Actinothoe sphyrodeta) was recorded. This has a greater abundance of sponges and frequent Actinothoe
sphyrodeta.
CR.HCR.XFa.SpAnVt (Sponges and anemones on vertical circalittoral bedrock) is found on vertical
to overhanging sites. A mixed faunal turf of hydroids and bryozoans (including Nemertesia antennina,
Tubularia indivisa, Halecium halecinum and crisiid turf) is present and a diverse range of sponges.
Anthozoans such as Alcyonium digitatum, Caryophyllia smithii and Metridium senile are common.
CR.HCR.DpSp.var (Deep Sponge Communities)
This biotope typically occurs on deep (commonly below 30m) wave-exposed bedrock subject to negligible
tidal streams. The sponge component of the biotope is the most striking feature. The biotope currently in
the JNCC classication scheme is characterised by the presence of Phakellia ventilabrum which is rare in
Northern Ireland’s waters. However, as noted from other areas of the Northern Ireland coast such as the
Maidens (Goodwin et al. 2011b) biotopes dominated by other sponges do occur here and new sub-biotopes
should probably be designated. In this area this sponge biotope occurs in shallower water (18-26m). The
diversity of sponges is notable. See Clements et al. (2010) for a full discussion. We have kept the biotopes
assigned by Clements et al. (2010) for these sites. However, it is possible that they could also be classied as
CR.HCR.XFa.ByErSp and further investigation of characterising species may be required. They differ from
both the description in Connor et al. (2004) and those sites on the Maidens (Goodwin et al. 2011b) in being
8
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 5 - Cave and surge gully biotopes in the survey area.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Figure 6 - IR.FIR.SG.CrSpAsAn Anemones including Corynactis viridis, crustose sponges and colonial
ascidians on very exposed or wave surged vertical infralittoral rock. Site 105, Caves east of Carrick-a-Rede.
9
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 8 - CR.HCR.XFa.ByErSp.DysAct (mixed turf of bryozoans and erect sponges with Dysidea fragi-
lis and Actinothoe sphyrodeta). The dominant bryozoan here is Flustra foliacea. Site 85, Reef north of the
Storks.
Figure 7 - Sponge biotopes in the survey area
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Skerries and Causeway Survey
10
more wave and tide exposed.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs (Flustra foliacea and colonial ascidians on tide-swept moderately wave-
exposed circalittoral rock).
This biotope and its sub-biotopes are the most dominant in the Skerries and Causeway area, being found
throughout the study site. It typically occurs on the upper faces of circalittoral bedrock or boulders.
It is subject to scour by adjacent sediment and as a consequence it is dominated by the scour tolerant
bryozoan Flustra foliacea (Super-abundant to Common). It is the abundance of F. foliacea which primarily
distinguishes this biotope from CR.HCR.ByErSp; F. foliacea may be present but typically is less than
Frequent in abundance. These two biotopes often merge into one another when the bedrock becomes more
elevated and hence less subject to scour. In Connor et al. (2004) it is stated that the cup coral Caryophyllia
smithii is absent in the CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs biotope. This may be because the biotope has largely been
reported from the east coast of England where this species is not present. However, C. smithii is so common
across the whole of the north coast area that it would seem not to be a useful characterising species.
CR.HVR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs (Flustra foliacea, small solitary and colonial ascidians on tide-swept
circalittoral bedrock or boulders).
Dominated by F. foliacea with a high abundance of small solitary and colonial ascidians. The bedrock is
frequently covered in a ne layer of sand. Species recorded here included the ascidians Aplidium nordmanni,
Aplidium punctum. Botryllus schlosseri, Ciona intestinalis, Clavelina lepadiformis, Dendrodoa grossularia,
Morchellium argus, Polycarpa scuba, Pycnoclavella aurilucens, Pycnoclavella stolonialis, Pyura
microcosmus, Polyclinum aurantium, Sidnyum turbinatum, and Synoicum incrustatum.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn (Synoicum incrustatum and Flustra foliacea on sand scoured tide-swept
circalittoral bedrock and boulders). (Proposed biotope variant)
In some areas the understorey of ascidians is dominated by the ascidian Synoicum incrustatum. We support
the view of Clements et al. (2010) that this merits the designation of a new biotope variant. This would be
analogous to the HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Paur (Flustra foliacea with Polyclinum aurantium) biotope in which
the ascidian Polyclinum aurantium dominates the rock surface.
In this biotope Synoicum incrustatum is present at high abundances (typically greater than Frequent) and
may carpet areas of bedrock, often incorporating sand grains into its surface. This biotope is extremely
characteristic of the north coast of Northern Ireland and is not found elsewhere in the province. Synoicum
incrustatum does not appear to be frequently recorded in the UK and it is possible that the biotope is also
rare nationally. However, the species has probably been misidentied as it was omitted from Millar’s
synopsis of British Ascidians (Connor, 1989). Whilst Synoicum incrustatum is present in the sub-biotope
CH.HCR.FluCoAs.SmAs it is only Occasional in abundance and is incorporated into a mixed turf of
ascidians, it is not visually dominant as it is in this biotope.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.X (Flustra foliacea and colonial ascidians on tide-swept exposed circalittoral
mixed substrata).
This is similar to the above biotopes but occurs on mixed substrates of boulder, cobble and pebble.
Moderately Exposed Bedrock
Some areas are less wave exposed, these include bays on the north side of the Skerries, where the western
sides of the bay provide some shelter from the prevailing winds, and areas of the Storks, where some
shelter is provided by the outlying Skerries. In these moderately exposed areas echinoderms and algal crusts
dominate and sites often have a sparse, grazed appearance.
CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp (Caryophyllia smithii, sponges and crustose communities on wave-exposed
circalittoral rock).
This biotope is characterised by a sparse fauna, appearing grazed, with cup coral Caryophyllia smithii,
dead man’s ngers Alcyonium digitatum and occasional common urchins Echinus esculentus. There are
large growths of the sponges Pachymatisma johnstonia and Cliona celata and isolated clumps of hydroids
11
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 9. Colonial ascidian biotopes in the survey area.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Figure 10. CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs. (Flustra foliacea and colonial ascidians on tide-swept moderately wave-
exposed circalittoral rock). Site 8, Ramore Head, Portrush.
12
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 11. CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs (Flustra foliacea and colonial ascidians on tide-swept moderately wave-
exposed circalittoral rock). Site 14, Curran Reef.
Figure 12. CRHCRXFaFluCoAsSyn (Synoicum incrustatum and Flustra foliacea on sand scoured tide-wept
circalittoral bedrock and boulders). Site 95, Offshore of Giant’s Causeway. The ascidian Synoicum
incrustatum is dominant.
13
Skerries and Causeway Survey
including Nemertesia antennina.
CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp.PenPcom (Caryophyllia smithii and sponges with Pentapora foliacea, Porella
compressa and crustose communities on wave-exposed circalittoral rock).
This sub-biotope is distinguished by a sparse but diverse fauna containing large specimens of Pentapora
fascialis var. foliacea. Other notable species include echinoderms including the sea cucumber Holuthuria
forskali. The majority of records of this variant are from the west coast of Ireland (Connor et al. 2004).
Pentapora fascialis var. foliacea is a UK BAP and NICP species and consequently these areas are of high
conservation importance.
CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Sec (Alcyonium digitatum with Securiustra securifrons on tide-swept
moderately wave-exposed circalittoral rock).
In this variant the rock is dominated by Alcyonium digitatum and the bryozoan Securiustra securifrons. The
rock in-between these species appears fairly sparse and grazed, the urchin Echinus esculentus is frequent.
CR.MCR.EcCr.UrtScr (Urticina felina and sand-tolerant fauna on sand-scoured or covered circalittoral
rock).
This biotope occurs on tide-swept rock adjacent to mobile sand and gravel, typically in gullies and on
cobbles in sand. It is characterised by scour tolerant robust species. The most dominant species is the dahlia
anemone Urticina felina and the sponge Ciocalypta penicillus is also characteristic. This biotope is often
not recorded as a separate entity as it is frequently only a small area of rock at the sediment interface. It was
noted from Solan reef (site 17), but may also be present at other sites and have been recorded as part of the
adjacent biotope.
3.1.5 Sediment Biotopes
The survey predominantly focused on rocky habitats as these are more accurately surveyed by diving.
Classication of sediment habitats requires the sample of infauna which is not possible on a general diving
habitat survey. However, the habitats on the inside of the Skerries have been reasonably well surveyed.
SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR (Saccharina latissima and red seaweeds on infralittoral sediments).
This biotope was recorded on the south side of the Skerries in up to approximately 16m depth. Pebbles
and cobbles were present on a sand substrate with Saccharina latissima and red foliose algae attached to
them in varying proportions. The recording of species was often not detailed enough to determine biotope
variants, frequently these sites were surveyed during drift dives. The variant SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR.Sa
Saccharina latissima and lamentous red algae on infralittoral sand is likely to be present). Algal species
recorded include the brown algae Dictyota dichotoma, Sporochnus pedunculatus, Desmarestia aculeata,
Arthrocladia villosa, Chorda lum, Laminaria hyperborea, Saccharina latissima, Saccorhiza polyschides,
Halidrys siliquosa and the red algae Heterosiphonia plumosa, Odonthalia dentata, Polysiphonia sp., Scinaia
sp., Palmaria palmata, Dilsea carnosa, Callophyllis laciniata, Gracilaria sp., Gracilaria gracilis, Polyides
rotundus, Plocamium cartilagineum, Furcellaria lumbricalis, Calliblepharis ciliata, Rhodymenia sp.,
Acrosorium venulosum, Apoglossum ruscifolium, Cryptopleura ramosa and Delesseria sanguinea. Sparse
fauna is present on the sand between pebbles and cobbles including the anemones Cerianthus lloydii and
Urticina felina.
SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar (Zostera marina/angustifolia beds on lower shore or infralittoral clean or muddy
sand).
A small area of Zostera marina seagrass bed is present on the south of Large Skerrie (sites
52,55,56,57,58,59). The depth range of the bed is between approximately 5 and 9 metres and it is on a
sand substrate. In shallow water above this Laminaria hyperborea kelp forest on bedrock is present and in
adjacent deeper water sand, cobbles and pebbles with mixed seaweed (SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR). The bed
has not been extensively surveyed and its exact size is currently unknown. It would therefore merit further
survey to provide information on the extent and density of the seagrass. In addition to seagrass a variety
of red and brown algae are present (see Appendix 3 for species list), many of these are also present in the
14
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 13. Moderately exposed bedrock biotopes.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Figure 14. CR.MCR.EcCr (Echinoderms and crustose communities). Bedrock covered in pink encrusting
algae and the anemone Actinothoe sphyrodeta and crevice with sea cucumbers (Pawsonia saxicola and Aslia
lefevrei). Site 93, North-west of Giant’s Causeway.
15
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 15. CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp (Caryophyllia smithii, sponges and crustose communities on wave-ex-
posed circalittoral rock). Site 79, The Storks
Figure 16. CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp (Caryophyllia smithii, sponges and crustose communities on wave-ex-
posed circalittoral rock). Site 88, Dunluce Reef. Large individuals of the boring sponge Cliona celata are
frequently present in this biotope.
Skerries and Causeway Survey
16
seaweed habitat in adjacent deeper water. Animal species present include parchment worms Chaetopterus
variopedatus, sand mason worms Lanice conchilega, funnel worms Myxicola infundibulum and Megalomma
vesiculosum, anemones including the burrowing anemone Cerianthus lloydii, Peachia cylindrica and
the dahlia anemone Urticina felina. A variety of mobile species such as crustaceans and lobsters are also
present.
Much of Broad Sound and the area immediately south of the Skerries is composed of the two following
biotopes.
SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd (Flustra foliacea and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept circalittoral mixed
sediment).
This biotope consists of a mixed substrate of small boulders, cobbles, pebbles, gravel and sand exposed
to moderate to strong tidal streams. It is characterised by the bryozoan Flustra foliacea and the hydroid
Hydrallmania falcata but lesser amounts of other hydroids, such as Sertularia argentea, Nemertesia ramosa
and N. antennina may also be present. In the Skerries site the hydroids Halecium halecinum, Halecium
muricatum, Nemertesia antennina, Nemertesia ramosa, Plumularia setacea, Hydrallmania falcata,
Sertularella gayi, Sertularella polyzonias, Sertularia argentea, Sertularia cupressina and Rhizocaulus
verticillatus were recorded. A variety of bryozoans were present: Alcyonidium diaphanum, Vesicularia
spinosa, Cellepora pumicosa, Flustra foliacea, Securiustra securifrons, Bugula abellata, Bugula plumosa
and Eucratea loricata, the latter at much lower densities than in the SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd biotope. The soft
coral Alcyonium digitatum can be abundant, particularly in areas with a greater proportion of cobbles and
small boulders. In the sand and in between stones anemones such as Cerianthus lloydii, Urticina felina and
Peachia cylindrica may be found. In shallow areas scour tolerant red algae may also be present.
SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd (Eucratea loricata and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept circalittoral mixed
sediment) – Proposed biotope
This biotope is similar in substrate and species composition to the above. However, it is dominated by the
bryozoan Eucratea loricata rather than Flustra foliacea. We agree with Clements et al. (2010) that this
represents a distinct biotope. It is possible that some of the Seasearch sites currently categorised as SS.SMx.
CMx.FluHyd should be this biotope but the presence of Eucratea loricata may not have been recorded by
inexperienced surveyors.
SS.SMx.CMx.OphMx (Ophiothrix fragilis and/or Ophiocomina nigra brittlestar beds on sublittoral
mixed sediment).
Dense Ophiothrix fragilis and Ophicomina nigra brittlestar beds have been recorded from the area south
of the Skerries on dives 060823/05 and 060824/04. However, the records were made in the middle of drift
dives for which only the entry and exit points are recorded, therefore the exact location of these is not known
and it was not possible to divide the species records from the dive to characterise this biotope.
SS.SSa.IFiSa.IMoSa (Infralittoral mobile clean sand with sparse fauna)
SS.SSa.CSa (Circalittoral ne sand), SS.SCS.CCS (Sublittoral Coarse Sediment)
As noted by Clements et al. (2010) the majority of the Skerries area (62.7km2) has a sand substrate. Only
a few sand sites were surveyed by diving, the majority of fauna in these areas is infaunal and is better
surveyed by remote methods such as grabbing and dredging. Mobile sand and coarse sediment biotopes
were identied from sites south of the Skerries and the Tun’s bank, one site (site 94) on the large sand
and gravel ripples of the causeway bank was also surveyed. Mainly mobile species were recorded at these
mobile sand areas, these included the masked crab Corystes cassivelaunus (a SOCC).
17
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 17. Seagrass and Seaweed on sediment biotopes in the survey area.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION..
Figure 18. SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR (Saccharina latissima and red seaweeds on infralittoral sediments).
South of Large Skerrie.
18
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 19. Flustra foliacea on coarse sediment biotopes.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material obtained from
the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.uk). NOT TO BE USED
FOR NAVIGATION.
Figure 20. SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd (Eucratea loricata and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept circalittoral
mixed sediment) Site 32 , South of Little Skerrie.
19
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 21. SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd (Eucratea loricata and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept circalittoral
mixed sediment) in Broad Sound. Spiny spider crab Maja brachydactyla in centre of image.
Figure 22. SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd (Eucratea loricata and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept circalittoral
mixed sediment) in Broad Sound. The bryozoan Eucratea loricata which characterises this biotope domi-
nates the bottom left corner of the image.
Figure 19. Flustra foliacea on coarse sediment biotopes.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material obtained from
the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.uk). NOT TO BE USED
FOR NAVIGATION.
20
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 23. Sand biotopes present in the survey area.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Figure 24. SS.Ssa.IFiSa.IMoSa (Infralittoral mobile clean sand with sparse fauna). Site 43, Inside Skerries.
The masked crab Corystes cassivelaunus is visible.
21
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 25. Distribution of Modiolus beds and signicant proportions of dead Modiolus shell.
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from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.uk). NOT TO
BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
3.2 Habitats of Conservation Importance
3.2.1 Features of European interest:
Annex I Reef - Bedrock and Stony Reef
The Skerries reef area has been recognised as being an area of conservation importance since the Northern
Ireland Sublittoral Survey (Erwin et al.1986). The reefs in this area include a diversity of reef type and
community structure: bedrock and stony reefs; at, sloping and terraced bedrock reef; vertical reef including
30m high sublittoral cliffs; silt covered and sand scoured reef; coastal shallow infralittoral reefs and reefs
that are ve miles from the coast and extend to over 90m deep. The varied reef types and conditions in this
area support a number of rare and priority species.
Much of the reef in this area is sand scoured reef (which is an unusual type of reef in a Northern Ireland
context). There is consequently a close relationship between the reef and the adjacent sediments: as well
as the sand scoured areas of reef and stony reef, there are also large areas of bedrock reef that have a thick
veneer of sediment, but still support bedrock epifauna (attached to the bedrock but growing up through
the sediment), and conversely, there are also areas of coarse and mixed sediments that support epifauna
communities more reminiscent of the reef habitat.
Stony reefs, such as the boulder slopes off of the Giant’s Causeway and the Storks, have important sponge
and ascidian communities and are also a stronghold for other species of conservation importance including
Pentapora fascialis var. foliacea, a UK BAP and NICP species.
Annex 1 Reef – Modiolus Beds
The Skerries is one of four places in Northern Ireland from which there are records of horse mussel
(Modiolus modiolus) biogenic reefs, the others being Strangford Lough, Carlingford Lough and the outside
of the Ards Peninsula (Erwin et al. 1986, 1990). The Skerries beds were last surveyed in 1985, but at that
time were in good condition; clumps of M. modiolus with a rich epifauna were recorded. We resurveyed this
area, however no M. modiolus clumps were found, although dead M. modiolus shells were present and were
dense at some sites. A few scattered live M. modiolus were recorded from Seasearch dives in Broad Sound
during 2006. Figure 25 shows entry points for survey dives but many dives in this area were drift dives and
a therefore large area was covered. The bed is relatively small and cover is patchy, therefore there is a slight
Skerries and Causeway Survey
22
possibility that the bed was missed, particularly if it has reduced in size. Consequently additional survey
dives in this area are recommended. Locals have reported that this area had been extensively dredged since
the NISS and these claims should be investigated (see Goodwin et al. 2011a).
Annex I Sandbanks which are slightly covered by sea water all the time
In both the area shallower than 20m, and in the deeper anks and sand waves, there is a diversity of
sandbank type and communities in a relatively small area. Within the Broad Sound there are relatively stable
areas of coarse sediment. Just south of the Skerries there is an area of eelgrass Zostera marina in ne sand.
There are also large areas of mobile sand waves in much of the area, these have a relatively poor fauna but
provide an important habitat for sand eels which are characteristic of this type of sandbank.
Annex I Submerged or partial submerged sea caves
Much of the Skerries and Causeway coastline is characterised by rocky cliffs and these have numerous sea
caves (perhaps 40 in total), many of them with both submerged and partially submerged elements. There
are also an unknown number of fully submerged sea caves including one swim-through tunnel through the
Large Skerrie Island.
From the limited data currently available, it is apparent that the sea caves exhibit a wide variety of size,
shape, water depth, rock type (including basalt, Ulster White Limestone, and Waterloo mudstone), and
aspects relative to the predominant wave surges and tides. The SOCC anemone Parazoanthus anguicomus
has been recorded from caves near to Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge (Site 105) and it is likely that this species
and the SOCC sponges Stelletta grubii and Stryphnus ponderosus also occur within the proposed SAC area;
they favour caves and overhanging bedrock and have been recorded on other areas of the north coast such as
Ballintoy and Rathlin Island.
3.2.2. UK Biodiversity Action Priority Habitats
Subtidal Sands and Gravels
This priority habitat encompasses a wide range of substrates from ne sand to gravel with cobbles and
pebbles such as the SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd biotope south of the Skerries. Much of the Skerries area could
be categorised as this habitat. Inshore sands and gravels can be important nursery grounds for juvenile
commercial species such as atshes and bass (BRIG 2008).
Subtidal chalk
Cretaceous Ulster white limestone outcrops occur on the shore along the north coast and are present in the
propsed SAC from Dunluce castle to Portrush (Clements et al. 2010). Some limestone reefs are present
underwater for example Dunluce reef (sites 87-89), off the Giant’s Causeway (site 93), and the Storks
(sites79-83). More examples are likely to be found in this area with further survey.
Seagrass Beds
One small Zostera marina seagrass bed is present south of Large Skerrie (sites 52,55,56,57,58,59). Much
of the open north coast of Northern Ireland is too exposed to allow the establishment of seagrass beds but
Large Skerrie shelters this site from the prevailing winds and tides.
Fragile Sponge and Anthozoan Communities on Rocky Habitats
There are good examples of this habitat on many of the rocky reefs, particularly on vertical faces which
are less sand scoured than the low reefs where CR.HCR.FluCoAs biotopes tend to dominate. The biotopes
CR.HCR.XFa.ByErSp.DysAct, CR.HCR.XFa.ByErSp, CR.HCR.XFa.SpAnVt and CR.HCR.DpSp.var can
all be categorised as this.
Tide-swept Channels
In the UK Biodiversity Action Plan review in 2007 this habitat was expanded and will be eventually
renamed ‘Tide-swept communities’. The resulting habitat will encompass broader and deeper channels with
strong currents rather than a much more restricted denition of very shallow channels with very rapid water
23
Skerries and Causeway Survey
movement (BRIG, 2008). This includes channels up to 2km wide including areas between headlands. The
area south of the Skerries is exposed to tidal streams of up to 6 knots and consequently can be categorised
as a tide-swept channel. It has a rich fauna of hydroids and bryozoans – see biotopes SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd,
and SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd above.
24
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Stenogramme interrupta
Rhodophycota – Red Algae
Stenogramme interrupta (C Agardh) Montagne ex
Harvey (SOCC)
Sublittoral species which may be frequent in
Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland is the Irish
stronghold for this species (Morton 2007d). One
NISS record from south side of Little Skerrie.
3.3 Species
A species list for the Skerries is given in Appendix 4. Species lists are taken from the Marine Recorder
database held by CEDaR. This includes data from the Northern Ireland Sublittoral Survey and Seasearch
surveys as well as this project. It was noted during the Northern Ireland Sublittoral Survey (Erwin et al.
1986, 1990) that the Skerries were an important site as many species with a south-western distribution
have their only Northern Ireland outposts in this area: the sea cucumber Holuthuria forskali, and the red
algae Drachiella heterocarpa (formerly Myriogramme heterocarpum) and Rhodymenia holmesii were all
frequently reported. This is the result of the inuence of the North Atlantic Drift current and salinity fronts.
The Islay front (to the North-west) and a salinity front to the east which separates the southern Malin shelf
waters from the North Channel of the Irish Sea, result in warmer water temperatures than the Irish coast
east of Benbane Head (Gowen et al. 1998). Warmer water species noted in the course of this survey include
the spiny spider crab Maja brachydactyla, the red blenny Parablennius ruber and the sponge Ciocalypta
penicillus.
Several species of Northern Ireland Conservation Priority and Species of Conservation Concern are present
and are detailed below. These include two UK BAP invertebrate species: the stalked jellysh Haliclystus
auricula and the crawsh Palinurus elephas. The UK BAP species Atrina fragilis is possibly present, given
the number of dead shells found south of the Skerries. Many other sh and cetacean UK BAP species are
present but not covered in this report which focused on benthic species.
Northern Ireland Conservation Priority Species, Species of Conservation Concern and
other species of note present.
As the nature of the survey was benthic and sh are not likely to have been completely recorded only species
of particular note are mentioned here.
Annelida– Annelid Worms
Sabellaria spinulosa Leuckart, 1849 - Honeycomb worm (NICP)
This species can form dense subtidal aggregations which create reefs several centimetres thick raised above
the surrounding seabed. These persist for many years and form a stable hard substrate on otherwise mobile
sediment, enabling a wide range of epibenthic and crevice fauna to become established. These reefs are a
UK BAP habitat. Sabellaria spinulosa reefs are mentioned in the Northern Ireland Sublittoral Survey report
which noted ‘Low lying pitted bedrock outcrops from mobile sand off Magilligan Strand in 23-29m. The
rock, probably of limestone, and accompanying boulders, are colonised by the reef building calcareous tube
worm Sabellaria’. Sites at which Sabellaria spinulosa was previously recorded during NISS, around the
Londonderry coast, were resurveyed (dives 070802/03, Site 4 and 070802/04, Site 2). Sabellaria spinulosa
was recorded at one site (dive 070802/04, Site 2). It was recorded as Frequent but was present as an
encrusting patch rather than a true reef form (Goodwin et al. 2011a).
25
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Bryozoa - Bryozoans
Bugula turbinata Alder, 1857 (SOCC)
There are several NISS records from the Skerries and
two SSNI records from Black Rock. Recorded during
SSNI from Limestone and Hadd Rock in Strangford
Lough, there are also NISS records from Strangford.
This is a southern species, reaching up to the Clyde on
the west coast of Britain (Hayward & Ryland 1998).
Bugula turbinata
Bugula turbinata distribution
Pentapora
Pentapora fascialis var. foliacea (Pallas 1766) - Ross
Coral or Potato Crisp Bryozoan (NICP)(UKBAP)
This area appears to be a stronghold for this species
in Northern Ireland. This species is an important
component of the CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp.PenPcom
biotope (Caryophyllia smithii and sponges with
Pentapora foliacea, Porella compressa and crustose
communities on wave-exposed circalittoral rock)
which was recorded at the bay north of Large Skerrie
(Site 62, Seasearch 26/08/06 3A) and the Giant’s
Causeway (Site 96, 100412/01).
Most Northern Ireland records are from the north
coast of Northern Ireland (Rathlin Island, the Skerries
and offshore of the Giant’s Causeway (Goodwin
et al. 2011a). On the east coast of Northern Ireland
one record was made during NISS from Pinnacle
east of the Maidens (dive 850801/02) but no recent
records have been made from this area. This species is
common on the southern coast of the British Isles, but
becomes much rarer towards the north.
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26
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Cnidaria – Sea anemones, corals and hydroids
Parazoanthus anguicomus (Norman, 1868) - The
white trumpet anemone (SOCC)
The species was only recorded from one site, the
Caves east of Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (Site 105,
Seasearch 07/09/08 NI8/082).
It is found at scattered locations around Scotland and
in deep water around northern Europe, south to Lundy
Island and Brittany. Most early previous Northern
Ireland records were from Rathlin with only two from
the Maidens (NISS). The species was recently recorded
at many sites on the Maidens during SSNI and the 2008
surveys (Goodwin et al. 2011b).
Haliclystus auricula (Rathke, 1806) - Kaleidoscope
jellysh (NICP) (UKBAP)
This species was recently designated a UK BAP species
and is therefore a recent addition to the Northern
Ireland priority list. It was formerly reported in high
numbers on shores in south-west England but is now
rarely seen, indicating a possible conservation issue
(JNCC 2010). It is recorded on all coasts of Britain and
Ireland and is associated with seaweed and seagrass
habitats in the inter-tidal and shallow subtidal zones.
It is inconspicuous and may be under-recorded. It
was recorded from the caves east of Carrick-a-Rede
(Site 105, Seasearch 07/09/2008 NI8/082), Bengore
Head (NISS) and south of Large Skerrie (Site 52
Seasearch 27/08/06 5E, Site 55 060821/03 and Site 57
060821/01).
Parazoanthus anguicomis
Pentapora distribution
Parazoanthus anguicomus
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27
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Halecium plumosum Hincks 1868 (NICP)
This species was recorded during NISS from two sites
in Northern Ireland, Lochgarry off Rathlin Island,
County Antrim and Russell Rock, Maidens. During
SSNI H. plumosum was recorded from all coasts
of Rathlin (Lochgarry, White Cliffs, Picton’s Reef,
Illancarragh Bay), the Skerries, from Russell’s Rock
on the Maidens, Carlingford Lough and from two
sites in Strangford Lough. At several of these sites it
was common. In view of these ndings it cannot be
classied as rare in Northern Ireland and its removal
from the NICP species list was recommended (Goodwin
et al. 2011a). There are a few scattered records from the
Skerries area.
Halecium plumosum
Halecium plumosum distribution
Halecium plumosum
Crustacea – Crabs and lobsters.
Atelecyclus rotundatus (Olivi, 1792) – Circular crab
(NICP)
Four NISS records from sand areas south of the
Skerries. Not recorded on the recent surveys but few
dives were made on these habitats. This species is
present in sand and gravel habitats on all Northern
Ireland coasts but is not common.
Corystes cassivelaunus (Pennant, 1777) - Masked
Crab (SOCC)
This species was frequently recorded from the sand
habitats inside of the Skerries during NISS. It has
recently been recorded from this area from Tun’s
Bank and a further record was made from inside the
Skerries (Site 43, 100610/01). It can be fairly common
in mobile sandy areas and the lack of records during
recent dive surveys may be attributed to the fact that
these were not often surveyed. Corystes cassivelaunus
Pentapora distribution
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has been derived in part from material obtained from the UK
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28
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Homarus gammarus (Linnaeus, 1758) - Lobster
(SOCC)
This species is frequent on the reefs in the Skerries area.
There is a lobster potting shery.
Homarus gammarus distribution
Homarus gammarus
Maja brachydactyla Balss, 1922 - Spiny spider crab
This species was formerly synonymised with Maja
squinado, which is now thought to be restricted to
the Mediterranean (Neumann 1988). It is a southern
species. It had not been previously recorded from
Northern Ireland but is relatively widespread on the
west coast of Ireland with records from Mayo around
to Wexford (Picton & Costello 1998). During SSNI
ve records were made from the Skerries. During the
same period, additional records from Northern Ireland
were made on Seasearch dives from the Skerries and
the Tun’s Bank at the mouth of the Foyle (Goodwin
2007b; Goodwin 2008a). The species has recently been
reported from Red Bay on a Seasearch dive and from
Larne Lough (NIEA/AFBI 2011).
Maja brachydactyla
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29
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Munida rugosa
Munida rugosa (Fabricius, 1775) - Long Clawed
Squat Lobster (NICP)
This species has shown a substantial decline since the
1990s, especially in Strangford Lough, possibly due
to increased shery landings (Edwards 2002). Munida
rugosa has been landed by shermen on a largely
opportunistic scale, which has been attributed to a
possible overlap in habitats, principally at boundaries
between the mud substratum of Nephrops norvegicus
and the gravel substratum of Munida species
(Pothanikat 2005). This shery is a potential threat to
the species. Not frequently recorded by dive surveys in
this area – the only record is from the Ridges, north of
the Skerries (25/7/85).
Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787) – Crawsh
(NICP) (UK BAP)
Crawsh are declining in all areas of Britain and
Ireland, principally due to shing (see Goodwin et al.
2011a for discussion). Historically crawsh have been
recorded from rocky areas of the Northern Ireland
coast including Rathlin Island, Kinbane Head in
County Antrim and Shamrock Pinnacle offshore from
Rathlin Island. During SSNI one record was made
from this area from north-west of Black Rock (Site 71,
060822/02).
Maja brachydactyla distribution
Palinurus elephas
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Skerries and Causeway Survey
Echinodermata – Starsh and Sea Cucumbers
Holothuria forskali Chiaje, 1841 – Cotton spinner sea
cucumber
The Skerries region is the only locality in Northern
Ireland in which this species occurs. There are several
records from both the NISS and more recent dive
surveys (SSNI, NIMF, Seasearch). It has a south
western distribution and is common on the west coast of
Ireland (Picton & Costello 1998).
Leptasterias muelleri (M Sars, 1846) - Northern
starsh (SOCC)
This is a northern species at the southern extent of its
range in the British Isles. The majority of UK records
are from Northern Ireland and western Scotland
(Goodwin et al. 2011a). It could be expected to decline
with climate change but currently is widespread on
Northern Ireland coasts. Several records from the
Skerries area.
Holothuria forskali (picture taken in Mayo)
Holothuria forskali distribution
Leptasterias muelleri
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Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence
No. 122009.004. This product has been derived
in part from material obtained from the UK
Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the
Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce
and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
31
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Luidia sarsi Duben & Koren, 1846 (SOCC)
One specimen recorded from this area from inside the
Skerries (Site 37, Seasearch 05/11/06 9C). Two other
records during SSNI from the White Cliffs on Rathlin
and Red Bay. There are two previous records, from the
White Cliffs, Rathlin and Glenarm Bay (B.E. Picton)
(Goodwin et al. 2011a). Lives on muddy sand, recorded
from all round the British Isles (Southward & Campbell
2006). Its habitat makes it vulnerable to damage from
dredging. There are few previous Irish records - it was
recorded from Cork, Kerry and Donegal during the
BioMar survey (Picton & Costello 1998). It has a more
northerly distribution than the similar seven armed
starsh Luidia ciliaris, occurring from Norway to the
Mediterranean but in deep colder water in the south.
Solaster endeca (Linnaeus, 1771) – the Northern
sunstar (NICP)
One record from NE Bengore Head (NISS). Only one
record of this species was made during SSNI, from
NW of McLaughlin Rock in Strangford (070724/01).
This is a large conspicuous species and can readily be
recognised in the eld. It is surprising the SSNI made
so few observations of this species, and it may have
decreased signicantly since the 1980s. Its distribution
should be monitored in the future as it may be a good
indicator for climate change (Goodwin et al. 2011a).
Leptasterias muelleri distribution
Luidia sarsi
Solaster endeca
Leptasterias muelleri
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has been derived in part from material obtained from the UK
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Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce
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32
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Mollusca - Molluscs
Atrina fragilis (Pennant, 1777) - Fan mussel (NICP,
UK BAP)
No records of live specimens were made during recent
dive surveys of the Skerries but there were several
records of dead shells including one small clean shell,
presumably from a recently dead young individual.
This indicates they are likely to be present in the mixed
ground habitats (biotopes SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd and
SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd) inside the Skerries. However,
because of the variable nature of this habitat they are
difcult to spot on diving surveys. Only known recently
from off the north coast of Northern Ireland during
a trawling survey for the queen scallop Aequipecten
opercularis in 1971, close to and west of Rathlin Island
to Magilligan, in depths to 64m+ and off Rathlin Island
in 2007 (SSNI). Shells have been found on Portstewart,
Downhill and Magilligan strands. There are several
other historical records from the North Coast (Goodwin
et al. 2011a).
Chlamys varia (Linnaeus, 1758) - Variegated scallop
(NICP)
This species is a priority in Northern Ireland as it
has declined signicantly with the destruction of the
horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) beds which are its
major habitat (Goodwin et al. 2011a). The majority of
Northern Ireland records are from Strangford Lough
but there are scattered records from elsewhere. It has
been recorded from this area from North of Black Rock
(NISS, 03/07/84).
Crimora papillata Alder & Hancock, 1862
This species has a south-western distribution with
records from south-west England, Wales and the
west coasts of Ireland and Scotland. It is known more
widely from the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coasts
of France and Portugal. It feeds on the bryozoans
Chartella papyracea, Flustra foliacea and Securiustra
securifrons (Picton & Morrow, 1994). There was one
record from the Skerries during NISS (05/08/82) and
further records were made in 2008 and 2009 from the
west side of Ramore Head (Site 8 Seasearch 23/08/09
NI9/055, Site 7 31/05/09 NI9/069 and Site 11 15/06/08
NI8/045, 35, 36). All the recent records were associated
with Flustra foliacea. On one dive 8 specimens were
seen on a single colony (NI9/055). Records were also
made from Rathlin during SSNI.
Atrina fragilis (Rathlin Island)
Crimora papillata
33
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Crimora papillata distribution
Eubranchus doriae (Trinchese, 1874) - a nudibranch
mollusc (NICP)
This species was recorded from the Skerries during
NISS (24/07/1985). There is one other Northern Ireland
record from Fair Head (Goodwin et al. 2011a). There
are few records for this species but it appears to be
widespread around the southern and western coasts
of British Isles: records from Lundy Island, Sussex,
Mulroy Bay in County Donegal and St Kilda (Goodwin
et al. 2011a).
Janolus sp. nov. a nudibranch mollusc
This was recorded three times, from SE of little Skerrie
(Site 34, 060821/04), from North-west of Black Rock
(Site 71, 060822/02) and from North-east of the Foyle
entry marker (Site 2, 070802/04). It had previously
been recognised as a probable new species after being
rst recorded from St Kilda (Picton & Morrow 1994).
However, at this time there was not enough material to
properly describe it. It differs from the common Janolus
cristatus (del Chiaje, 1841) in that the cerata (back
projections) are slightly roughened, there are white
rings round the tips of the cerata rather than solid white
ends and it has no dark line of digestive tract running up
the cerata.
Janolus sp.
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has been derived in part from material obtained from the UK
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34
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Jorunna sp. nov. A. a nudibranch mollusc - Spotty
Jorunna
Records were made of this species, presumed to be
a new species, North of the Storks on the Skerries
(Site 84, 060823/04). It has also been recorded from
NE Maiden and Russell’s Rock in the Maidens and
Damicornis Bay, Duncan’s Bay and Picton Reef on
Rathlin. It appears to feed on the sponge Haliclona
urceolus. It is in the process of being described.
Modiolus modiolus (Linnaeus, 1758) - horse mussel
(NICP)
The Skerries is one of four places in Northern Ireland
from which there are records of horse mussel (Modiolus
modiolus) biogenic reefs, the others being Strangford
Lough, Carlingford Lough and the outside of the Ards
Peninsula (Erwin et al. 1986, 1990). The Skerries
beds were last surveyed in 1985, but at that time were
in good condition; clumps of M. modiolus with a rich
epifauna were recorded. We resurveyed this area,
however no M. modiolus clumps were found, although
dead M. modiolus shells were dense at some sites
and a few scattered live individuals were present (see
section on sites of conservation importance for further
information).
Janolus sp. distribution
Jorunna sp.
Modiolus modiolus
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35
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Okenia elegans (Leuckart, 1828) – Yellow skirt sea
slug
One NISS record from Skerries roadstead (1985), one
from 2007 (Site 76, 2nd Pinnacle east of Black Rock)
and two from 2010 (Site 86 north-east of the Storks
and Site 90 Bushmills Bay). This distinctive sea slug
is rare in the British Isles. It has been recorded in the
British Isles from scattered localities in SW England,
Skomer Island and neighbouring Pembrokeshire,
Bardsey Island in North Wales, the Saltees in County
Wexford, St Kilda, Strangford Lough and the Skerries
in Portrush (Ellis 1995, Goodwin 2008, Moore 2002,
Picton & Morrow 1994, Rudman 2007). It feeds on the
ascidian Polycarpa rustica and may sometimes be seen
with just its gills emerging from the test of the ascidian.
It is known more widely from the Mediterranean and
the Bay of Biscay. It has recently also been recorded
elsewhere in Northern Ireland from Rathlin Island and
the Maidens.
Pecten maximus (Linnaeus, 1758) - King Scallop
(SOCC)
This species is common, particularly on the east and
southeast coasts of Northern Ireland.
Wild stocks of the king scallop are thought to be
declining, mainly due to overshing and damage to
the benthic communities which act as nursery grounds
(Nunn 2007). A few scattered records were made but the
habitats on which it occurs are not likely to have been
surveyed extensively by these diving surveys.
Rostanga rubra (Risso, 1818)
One record (1985) from Large Skerrie. R. rubra has
been found around the Orkneys and at St. Abbs Head
on the North Sea coast as well as on the south and west
coasts of the British Isles. Further distribution from
Norway south to the Mediterranean. Normally occurs
on the shore – feeds on Ophlitaspongia and Microciona
species (Picton & Morrow, 1994).
Simnia patula (Pennant 1777) Egg Cowrie (SOCC)
Previously recorded from Northern Ireland from the
Skerries, Rathlin Island, Shamrock Pinnacle (NW
Rathlin) and Strangford Lough (Picton & Costello
1994; CEDaR). Fairly widespread on west coast of
Ireland. Recorded from North-east of Black Rock
(Site 72, 060823/03) and North of the Storks (Site 84,
060823/04), there are also two records from NISS from
north of the Skerries (28/06/1979 and 13/06/1979). Simnia patula
Rostanga rubra
Pecten maximus
Okenia elegans
36
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Porifera - Sponges
Axinella damicornis (Esper, 1794) – crumpled
duster sponge
During SSNI this species was recorded from several
locations on the Skerries (Site 66, 060823/01, Site 73
060822/01, Site 71 060822/02, Site 60 060822/03,
Site 84 060823/04, Site 72 060823/03, Site 70
060823/02, Site 78 060825/03, Site 74 070803/01,
Site 80 100423/02). Prior to 2005 there were only
Northern Ireland records for this species from Rathlin
Island, Damicornis Bay (also known as O’Byrne Bay)
(three from August 1989 and 850906/02); and two
from the Skerries (870412/01 N of Large Skerrie,
870606/01 NW of Little Skerries). During the 2005
BSP funded ‘Sponge Biodiversity of Rathlin Island’
project (Picton & Goodwin 2007a, b) it was noted
that on Rathlin Island it was common in, but almost
conned to, Damicornis Bay. It was also recorded
from the north wall. During SSNI it was recorded
from Damicornis Bay, the White Cliffs, Picton’s Reef
on the east coast and two sites on the north wall on
Rathlin. This species is a southern species: uncommon
on the west coast of the British Isles and the Atlantic
coasts of France, common in the Mediterranean.
There are records from Scilly Isles, Channel Isles,
Wales (Pembrokeshire and Bardsey Island (Moore
2002), Devon and Lundy in UK. It is possible that the
increase in abundance in Northern Ireland is related to
climate change (Goodwin et al. 2011a).
Axinella damicornis
Axinella damicornis distribution
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has been derived in part from material obtained from the UK
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Skerries and Causeway Survey
Axinella dissimilis (Bowerbank, 1866) (SOCC)
Recorded from several sites around the Skerries during
SSNI (Site 71 060822/02, Site 60 060822/03, Site 72
060823/03, Site 70 060823/02, Site 84 060823/04,
Site 78 060825/03, Site 74 070803/01, Site 67 24/9/6
Seasearch 6B, Site 77 060825/01, Site 80 100423/02,
Site 16 100423/03, Site 18 100422/01). There are
previous records from the Skerries from the Ridges
(26/07/85) and North of Large Skerrie (24/07/85). This
sponge has a southern distribution and is consequently
not very common in Northern Ireland. There are recent
records from south-west Britain as far as Anglesey and
along the west coast of Ireland around to Rathlin and
on the west coast of Scotland (Goodwin et al. 2011a).
There are recent Northern Ireland records from Rathlin
and the Maidens, the increase in the number of records
and the record from the Maidens, an area in which this
species had previously not been recorded, may indicate
that the species is increasing its range with climate
change.
Ciocalypta penicillus Bowerbank, 1864
This species has a south-western distribution in the
British Isles with records from south-west England,
Wales, west coast of Scotland and the west coast of
Ireland (Ackers et al. 2007). It occurs on sand or gravel,
its basal cushion is buried but its conical papillae are
visible. It was recorded from the Solan Reef (Site 16 and
17 100611/01, 100423/04). These are the rst records
for Northern Ireland apart from a single record for
Carlingford Lough in 1984 (NISS 840604/01).
Axinella dissimilis
Axinella dissimilis distribution
Ciocalypta penicillus
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rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004.
This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the
permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Station-
ery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.
gov.uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
38
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Iophon hyndmani (Bowerbank, 1858) – a sponge
(SOCC)
This was formerly a priority species as it was thought
to be mainly associated with horse mussel (Modiolus
modiolus) beds in Strangford Lough. It has since
been found to be reasonably common on Rathlin, the
Maidens and the Skerries, so the Northern Ireland
populations of this species are not threatened, despite
the habitat loss in Strangford Lough.
Myxilla cf. rosacea (Lieberkühn, 1859) – a sponge
(SOCC)
One specimen was collected from North of the Storks
(Site 84, 060823/04). However, as sponges were not
systematically sampled it is likely to also be present
elsewhere. This sponge is possibly a distinct species
from Myxilla rosacea which occurs on other areas of
the Northern Ireland coast, differing in colouration,
surface appearance and the shape of the tornote ends. It
is also recorded from Strangford Lough, Rathlin Island
and the Maidens (Goodwin et al. 2011a).
Stryphnus ponderosus (Bowerbank, 1866) (SOCC)
This species was recorded during NISS from Ballintoy.
It has not yet been recorded in the SAC area however
it favours overhanging and cave habitats and is likely
to be present in sea caves along the coast. This species
is fairly common on the north wall of Rathlin (Ackers
et al. 2007; Goodwin et al. 2011a). It is not common
elsewhere in the British Isles; there are only scattered
records from the west coast of Ireland, Wales, the Isle
of Man, the Channel Islands and Scotland. It may
be rare as a result of its specic habitat preferences.
However, targeted sponge sampling in other areas of
the UK is needed to give an accurate indication of its
distribution.
Stelletta grubii Schmidt, 1862 (SOCC)
There are currently no records from the proposed SAC
for this species but there is one record from NISS
from Ballintoy. It is also known from Rathlin Island
(Goodwin et al. 2011a). It is mainly found on vertical
or overhanging bedrock and like Stryphnus ponderosus
may be present in sea caves.
Iophon hyndmani
Stryphnus ponderosus
Stelletta grubii
Myxilla cf. rosacea (picture from Maidens)
39
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Tunicata – Sea squirts
Archidistoma aggregatum Garstang, 1891 (SOCC)
One record from NE of the Foyle Entry Marker
(070802/04). Also recorded during SSNI from Derginan
point and Farganlack point on Rathlin. Found from
Plymouth and Salcombe in southern England north
to the Irish Sea and North Channel. Probably under-
recorded due to its inconspicuous appearance and small
size. There are scattered previous Northern Ireland
records along the north-east coast from Islandmagee to
the Skerries. The Northern Ireland records represent the
majority of the Irish populations; in the Republic it is
only recorded from Kerry Head and the Saltee Islands
(BioMar) (Goodwin et al. 2011a).
Pycnoclavella aurilucens Garstang, 1891
Recorded from South of Otter Rocks, Broad Sound
(NISS), the Storks and east of Black Rock (SSNI,
NIMF). This is a southern species which is very rare in
Northern Ireland. However it is frequent in south-west
England and on the west coast of Ireland.
Pycnoclavella stolonialis Pérez-Portela, Goodwin,
Picton & Turon, 2010, Pin-head Squirt (NICP).
This species was recently designated a priority species
as Northern Ireland appears to be a stronghold for
it in the United Kingdom. Although only recently
scientically described it has been recorded under the
common name ‘pin-head squirt’ since the baseline
NISS surveys. There are scattered records around the
English and Welsh coasts from Anglesea to the Farne
Islands. The stronghold appears to be Northern Ireland
with records from several sites including the Skerries
(Pérez-Portela, Goodwin, Picton & Turon, 2010). It is a
component of the Flustra foliacea and colonial ascidian
biotope (CR.HCR.FluCoAs). It should be noted that
it has not yet been possible to enter this species into
Marine Recorder as the name has only just been placed
in the directory therefore the records are not, at the time
of writing this report, on the database.
Archidistoma aggregatum
Pycnoclavella aurilucens
Pycnoclavella stolonialis
40
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Pyura microcosmus (Savigny, 1816) - a sea squirt
(NICP)
This solitary ascidian is primarily found in Northern
Ireland in association with horse mussel (Modiolus
modiolus) beds in Strangford Lough. However, there
are scattered records from elsewhere on the Northern
Ireland coast including this area. There is one record
from NISS from east of Black Rock (09/08/82).
Synoicum incrustatum (M Sars, 1851) (SOCC)
Several records from this area from SSNI and NIMF. It
was also recorded during NISS. Elsewhere in Northern
Ireland there are recent records from the Skerries and
Duncan’s Bay on Rathlin. Previously it was noted that
majority of the SSNI Skerries records were from April,
despite most of the sampling of this area being later
in the year (Goodwin et al. 2011a). However, there
are recent records from June and August which would
indicate that it is not likely to be seasonal. At some sites
it forms very dense aggregations, normally on sand
scoured bedrock. These typify the proposed CR.HCR.
FluCoAs.Syn biotope (Clements et al. 2010). This
species and sub-biotope are not found in other areas
of Northern Ireland and are characteristic of the high
energy sand scoured areas of this coast.
Synoicum incrustatum
Distribution of Synoicum incrustatum
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Skerries and Causeway Survey
Sidnyum sp.
Unidentied Polyclinid ascidian - Raspberry sea
squirt
This sea squirt is found in kelp forest habitats on
Rathlin Island, at the Skerries, Portrush, and in
Strangford Lough. It has not been possible to match
with any described species.
Chordata – Fish
Balistes capriscus Gmelin, 1789 – Grey trigger sh
One dive record from inside the Skerries. This species
used to be rarely recorded in Britain and Ireland with
only one or two sightings a year, but since the mid
eighties has become fairly common on the southern and
western coasts (Dipper 2001). There are several recent
records from Wales and Donegal. There have been
previous sightings and records from anglers near to the
Skerries, with records as far back as 1976, but these are
by no means frequent (Goodwin et al. 2011a).
Parablennius ruber (Valenciennes, 1836) Red or
Portuguese Blenny
During 2006 a record was made on a Seasearch dive
of the Red Blenny from the Skerries, Site 67 North of
Large Skerrie (Goodwin 2007b). The Ulster Museum
held unpublished records of this species dating back as
far as the 1980s. As part of SSNI, records were collated
and notes provided on eld identication characteristics
(Goodwin & Picton 2007). The species has recently
been revalidated as separate from the tompot blenny P.
gattorugine and this, together with confusion about the
eld identication characteristics which distinguish the
two species, is likely to have resulted in it being under-
recorded. It is a warmer water species, the majority of
the records are from south-west coasts of Britain and
Ireland. The Skerries are currently the only location in
Northern Ireland from which it has been recorded. Parablennius ruber
Skerries and Causeway Survey
42
3.4 Recommendations for further work
Survey of chalk reef areas
Areas of chalk reef around Dunluce were identied and surveyed (Sites 87-89). There are likely to be other
chalk outcrops in this area and these should be identied and surveyed.
Mapping of seagrass bed
The seagrass bed on the inside of Large Skerrie has been dived on several spot dives. However, the edge of
the bed has not been mapped and the density has not been measured. This information is needed in order to
monitor its conservation status.
Monitoring for climate change
The Skerries area is likely to be the rst site in Northern Ireland which south-western species colonise if
there are any increases in water temperature. As such it is a useful site for monitoring climate change. A
list of key indicator species (e.g. the crab Maja brachydactyla, the sponges Axinella dissimilis and Axinella
damicornis, the sea cucumber Holuthuria forskali) should be monitored both here and in Northern Ireland
more generally.
Monitoring of reef habitats
The Skerries has a wide range of reef habitats and these are a primary reason for its selection as a cSAC.
Survey work so far has been qualitative and some quantitative surveys and xed monitoring sites would be
useful in monitoring reef health.
Survey for Atrina fragilis
Several shells of Atrina fragilis were found in the area inside of the Skerries. In view of this it is likely
that live individuals may be present. Targeted surveys are likely to be difcult as the varied nature of the
substrate will make buried individuals hard to spot. However, its possible presence should be noted and an
effort made to search for this species on future surveys.
Taxonomy of Ascidians
An undescribed species of polyclinid ascidan the ‘raspberry ascidian’ was noted. This needs to be formally
described, possibly in conjunction with an ascidian expert.
Description and submission of proposed new biotopes.
Three potential new biotopes were noted: CR.HCR.DpSp.var (Deep Sponge Communities), CR.HCR.XFa.
FluCoAs.Syn (Synoicum incrustatum and Flustra foliacea on sand scoured tide-swept circalittoral bedrock
and boulders) and SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd (Eucratea loricata and Hydrallmania falcata on tide-swept
circalittoral mixed sediment). In order to be accepted these need to be formally proposed to JNCC using the
designated protocol.
Education
The Skerries are a popular destination for scuba diving within Northern Ireland with both local clubs and
commercial operators running dive trips. Currently much of the diving targets a limited number of sites such
as the swim-through tunnel in Large Skerrie and the walls on the north side of Large Skerrie. A guide to
the marine life and scenic dive sites of this area would be useful in promoting the conservation value of the
Skerries area both within this user group and to the wider general public.
4. Acknowledgements
This project is a partnership between Northern Ireland Environment Agency and National Museums
Northern Ireland. We are grateful to the support of these organisations for this work. The project was funded
by the NIEA Natural Heritage Directorate research and development series through a CEDaR (Centre for
Environmental Data and Recording) initiative. This CEDaR initiative brings together resources and expertise
of scientists from the National Museums Northern Ireland’s Department of Natural Sciences and the NIEA
conservation science team. We are greatly indebted to the programme for the support of this and other
43
Skerries and Causeway Survey
similar initiatives. We would like to specially thank Damian McFerran and Julia Nunn (CEDaR) and Mark
Wright (NIEA) for their assistance with this project. Thanks to Richard Lafferty of Aquaholics dive centre
for providing information on local dive sites and conditions. Stephanie Bennett, Gary Burrows, and Trevor
Harrison of Northern Ireland Environment Agency for boat handling and assistance organising the surveys.
Thanks also to SSNI survey team members: Trevor Harrison, Ronnie Snyder (Northern Ireland Environment
Agency), Paulo Pizzolla (JNCC), Lin Baldock, Jen Jones and Anne Marie Mahon (External Contractors) and
Seasearch volunteers (Orea Anderson, Jonathan Beattie, Noel Black, Charmaine Blake, Andrew Blight, Ruth
Brennan, Thorsten Brabetz, Jan Coleman, Graham Day, Elena Deligianni, Herbie Dennis, Sharon Fallows,
Mark Glendinning, Allan Goodwin, David Goodwin, Dave Harrison, Melvin Heath, Alasdair Kennedy,
Sven Laming, Adrian Marshall, Dearn McClintock, Brian McIlroy, Stephen McClelland, Ulrike Niens, Julia
Nunn, Daniel O’Neill, Frances O’Sullivan, Franklyn Riemann, Ronnie Snyder, Oisin Sweeney and Chris
Wood).
Skerries and Causeway Survey
44
5. References
Ackers, R.G., Moss, D., Picton, B.E., Stone, S.M.K. & Morrow, C.C. (2007). Sponges of the British Isles
(Sponge V), 1992 [edition reset with modications]. Marine Conservation Society/Ulster Museum, Belfast
BRIG (ed. Ant Maddock) (2008). UK Biodiversity Action Plan; Priority Habitat Descriptions.
Clements, A., Plets, R., and Quinn, R. (2010). Habitat Mapping of the Skerries/Causeway Proposed Marine
SAC. Report for Northern Ireland Environment Agency. University of Ulster.
Connor, D.W. (1989). Synoicum incrustatum (Sars, 1851), an ascidian new to the British Isles. Irish Naturalists
Journal. 23: 59-63.
Connor, D.W., Allen, J.H., Golding, N., Howell, K.L., Lieberknecht, L.M., Northern, K.O. and Reker, J.B.
(2004). The marine habitat classication for Britain and Ireland. Version 04.05.
Dipper, F. (2001). British Sea Fishes. 2nd Edition. Middlesex: Underwater World Publications Ltd.
Ellis, J.R., Cadman, P.S., Piertney, S.B. & Geiger, D.L. (1995). The marine fauna of the St Kilda archipelago
(Outer Hebrides). Scottish Naturalist 107: 53-70.
Erwin, D.G., Picton, B.E., Connor, D.W., Howson, C.M., Gilleece, P. & Bogues, M.J. (1986) The Northern
Ireland Sublittoral Survey. Ulster Museum, Belfast.
Erwin, D.G., Picton, B.E., Connor, D.W., Howson, C.M., Gilleece, P. & Bogues, M.J. (1990). Inshore marine
life of Northern Ireland. HMSO, Belfast.
Goodwin, C.E. (2007) The Skerries 2006 – Seasearch Survey Summary Report. Available from: http://www.
Seasearch.org.uk.
Goodwin, C.E. (2008) Northern Ireland North Coast 2007 – Seasearch Survey Summary Report. Available
from: http://www.Seasearch.org.uk.
Goodwin, C.E. (2009) Northern Ireland 2009 – Seasearch Survey Summary Report. Available from: http://
www.Seasearch.org.uk.
Goodwin, C.E. & Picton, B.E. (2007) The red blenny Parablennius ruber in the British Isles, with notes on
eld identication characteristics and ecology. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United
Kingdom 87:1309-1313.
Goodwin, C., Picton, B., Breen, J., Edwards H. and Nunn, J. (2011a) Sublittoral Survey Northern Ireland
(2006 – 2008). Northern Ireland Environment Agency Research and Development Series No. 10/02.
Goodwin, C., Picton, B., Breen, J. & Edwards H. (2011b) The Maidens — Report from the Sublittoral Survey
Northern Ireland project. Northern Ireland Environment Agency Research and Development Series No. 10/05.
Gowen, R.J., Raine, R., Dickey-Collas, M. and White, M. (1998). Plankton distribution in relation to physical
oceanographic features on the southern Malin Shelf, August 1996. ICES Journal of Marine Research, 55:
1095-1111.
Hayward, P.J. & Ryland, J.S. (1998). Cheilostomatous Bryozoa. Part 1: Aeteoidea-Cribrilinoidea. Synopses
of the British Fauna (New Series). R.S.K. Barnes & J.H. Crothers (eds). Field Studies Council: Shrewsbury.
Hiscock, K. ed. (1996). Marine Nature Conservation Review: rationale and methods. Peterborough, Joint
Nature Conservation Committee. (Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom. MNCR series).
JNCC. (2010) UK Priority Species data collation. Haliclystus auricula version 2 updated on 15/12/2010.
Moore, J. (2002). An atlas of marine biodiversity action plan species and habitats and Species of Conservation
Concern in Wales. 2nd Edition. CCW Contract Science Report No. 509. A report for the Countryside Council
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Neumann, V. (1988). A review of the Maja squinado (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) species-complex with
a key to the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean species of the genus. Journal of Natural History 32: 1667-
1684.
45
Skerries and Causeway Survey
NIEA (2011). Inshore Special Area of Conservation: Skerries and Causeway SAC Selection Assessment.
NIEA and AFBI (2011). Northern Ireland State of the Seas Report.
Nunn, J. (2007). Pecten maximus - King Scallop. Northern Ireland Priority Species and Species of Conservation
Concern Reports [online]. Cultra: National Museums Northern Ireland [cited 15/02/2008]. Available from:
http://www.habitas.org.uk/priority/species.asp?item=709.
Pérez-Portela, R., Goodwin, C.E., Picton, B.E. and Turon, X. (2010). Pycnoclavella stolonialis n. sp. (Tunicata:
Ascidiacea), with phylogenetic and distributional remarks on the genus in Europe. Zootaxa 2407: 51–66.
Picton, B.E. & Costello, M.J., (1998). BioMar biotope viewer: a guide to marine habitats, fauna and ora of
Britain and Ireland. Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin.
Picton, B.E. & Goodwin, C.E. (2007a). Sponge Biodiversity of Rathlin Island. Journal of the Marine
Biological Association of the United Kingdom 87:1441-1458.
Picton, B.E. & Goodwin, C. (2007b). Sponge Biodiversity of Rathlin Island. Project report for EU BSP and
EHS. Department of Zoology, Ulster Museum, Belfast.
Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (1994). A Field Guide to the Nudibranchs of the British Isles. Immel Publishing,
London.
Pothanikat, R.M.E. (2005). The behaviour and ecology of Munida rugosa and Munida sarsi. Ph.D. Thesis,
Queen’s University of Belfast, 245pp.
Rudman, W.B. (2007). Okenia elegans (Leuckart, 1828). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
Available from: http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=okeneleg.
Southward, E.C. & Campbell, C.C. (2006). Echinoderms. Synopses of the British Fauna (new series),
J.H. Crothers & P.J. Hayward (eds), no. 56. The Linnean Society of London. Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge.
Skerries and Causeway Survey
46
Appendix 1
Description of sites
Dive numbers are given following the site name. Biotopes, where allocated, are given
following the description. For sites where data was limited to Seasearch ‘Observer’ records
data was too limited to allocate biotopes.
Site 1 – Tuns Bank 55º 14.00’N, 006º 53.50’W
26/5/7 Seasearch
Fairly level seabed of ne sand (from 12.2-14m surveyed). Large ripples on surface, approximately 15cm
apart in a east-west direction. Sand very mobile and highly impacted by wave surge. Very little life apparent.
Some crustaceans present including a large spiny spider crab Maja brachydactyla.
Site 2 – North-East of Foyle Entry Marker, 55º 15.742’N, 006º 50.652’W
070802/04
Level seabed (32m) of coarse, clean, mobile sand and gravel with scattered small boulders. Little life evident
in sand. Boulders thickly encrusted with tunicate-bryozoan turf and encrusting form of Sabellaria spinulosa
(not reef forming). Unidentied Janolus collected on Scrupocellaria. Palio nothus on Vesicularia spinosa.
SS.SMx.FluHyd
Site 3 – Black Rocks, 0.6m north-west Portstewart harbour, 55º 11.369’N, 006º 44.256’W.
26/5/07 Seasearch CW, DG
Slightly sloping mixed seabed (21-24m) of small boulders, cobbles and patches of shelly gravel and sand.
Extensively covered in hydroids (mostly Nemertesia spp.) and bryozoans (Flustra foliacea and Securiustra
securiustrons) with patches of the ascidian Clavelina lepadiformis.
SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd
Site 4 – North-west of Portstewart Point, 55º 11.728’N, 006º 44.094’W
070802/03
Barren sand in small ripples (25m). Brown deposits in ripple valleys. Some crustaceans, but otherwise very
little life.
SS.SSa.CFiSa
Site 5 – Ramore Head, Portrush, 55º 12.63’N, 006º 39.79’W
31/05/09 Seasearch, NI9/018
Boulder slope 15-16m. Approximate position as wrong position given on form.
Site 6 – Ramore Head, Portrush, 55º 12.602’N, 006º 39.877’W
15/06/08 Seasearch NI8/043, 046
North facing cobble, pebble and boulder slope from 14.2-29.2m. Short animal turf on boulders and life
present in sediment between them. Upper parts of slope with sparse kelp and red algal cover. Holothuria
forskali and Maja brachydactyla recorded; both of these are southern species and rare in Northern Ireland.
IR.HIR.KSed.XKScrR, CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs
Site 7 – Ramore Head, Portrush, 55º 12.581’N, 006º 39.745’W
31/05/09 Seasearch NI9/069
Boulder slope of mixed sized boulders - 11.7-16.2m BCD surveyed. Dominant cover red seaweed and short
animal turf, including the bryozoans Flustra foliacea and Securiustra securifrons, and the colonial ascidian
Clavelina lepadiformis. The nudibranch Crimora papillata was observed on Flustra foliacea. This species is
a southern species and only rarely recorded in Northern Ireland.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs
47
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 26. Sites 1-4. Portstewart and Inishowen.
Figure 27. Sites 5-13. Ramore Head, Portrush.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights
reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product
has been derived in part from material obtained from the UK
Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of
Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce
(www.ukho.gov.uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights
reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product
has been derived in part from material obtained from the UK
Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of
Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce
(www.ukho.gov.uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Skerries and Causeway Survey
48
Site 8 – Ramore Head, Portrush, 55º 12.608’N, 006º 39.771’W
23/08/09 Seasearch NI9/055, NI9/059, NI9/061
Slope (approx 45º angle) of mainly small boulders with some large ones and patches of sand, depth surveyed
from 8-16.6m. Where slope levelled out sand patches were more frequent. Dominant animal cover Flustra
foliacea, mixed red seaweeds also present. Approximately eight Crimora papillata nudibranchs seen on one
clump of Flustra foliacea. This species is a southern species and comparatively rare in Northern Ireland.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs
Site 9 – Ramore Head, Portrush, 55º 12.602’N, 006º 39.765’W
15/06/08 Seasearch NI8/050
Reef and boulder slope from 9.2-17.2m. Kelp park on upper parts of slope, lower parts covered in dense red
algae and animal turf. Lobster pots and lines present at site.
Site 10 – Ramore Head, Portrush, 55º 12.643’N, 006º 39.799’W
31/05/09 Seasearch NI9/019
Slope of boulders 15-22.5m (mainly small with occasional very large) with Alcyonium digitatum, foliose red
algae, Flustra foliacea, and barnacles dominant cover. Sparse kelp park on upper part of slope. Occasional
very large Cliona celata.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs
Site 11 – Ramore Head, Portrush, 55º 12.602’N, 006º 39.764’W
15/06/08 Seasearch NI8/035, NI8/036, NI8/045
West facing slope of mixed sized boulders, some very large - up to 2m. Slope levelled out at approx 22m.
Boulders covered with a dense turf of Clavelina lepadiformis, Securiustra securifrons, and Flustra
foliacea. Above 15m the slope had a dense turf of red seaweeds, however this depth range was not surveyed.
A large shoal of juvenile gadoids were seen at the end of the dive. The nudibranch Crimora papillata
was observed spawning on Flustra foliacea. This is a southern species and rarely recorded from Northern
Ireland.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs
Site 12 – The Blue Pool, 55º 12.533’N, 006º 39.248’W
07/06/2008 Seasearch NI8/029, 5A, PM KM
Gently sloping rocky reef seabed from 0.5-5.5m BCD. Top of reef covered with seaweed including
Saccharina latissima and Chorda lum. Some large rockmill type holes in reef with cobbles and pebbles in
the base of them. Spiny spider crab Maja brachydactyla present.
IR.HIR.KSed.LsacChoR
Site 13 – Slipway North of Portrush Countryside Centre, 55º 12.630’N, 006º 39.313’W
27/05/09 NI9/046
Kelp forest on exposed, sand scoured, bedrock (forming steep rocky shore) with occasional cobble lled
gullies and sand beyond rocks. Mixed seaweed community on high energy, sand scoured, bedrock. Kelp
forest (Laminaria hyperborea, Saccharina latissima and Alaria esculenta) on exposed, sand scoured,
bedrock.
IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR.Dic, IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR, IR.HIR.KFaR.Ala
Site 14 –Curran Reef, 55º 13.727’N, 006º 39.567’W
100608/03
Low bedrock ridge, with top at 31m, base at 35.7m. Some pockets of boulders in shallow gullies. Dominant
species Flustra foliacea, Securiustra securifrons, and Alcyonium digitatum. Some silt. Level plain of
cobbles, pebbles, gravel and sand present at base of bedrock. Cobbles covered with Nemertesia antennina,
other hydroids such as Rhizocaulus verticillatus and Hydrallmania falcata frequent. Securiustra securifrons
and Eucratea loricata also present.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn, SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd
49
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 28. Sites 14-18. Curran Reef, Solan Reef and The Ridges.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Site 15 –Curran Reef, 55º 13.737’N, 006º 39.328’W
100608/04
Rugged bedrock (28-33m) with considerable amounts of Alcyonium digitatum, Actinothoe sphyrodeta and
Flustra foliacea. Boulders present at edges of the rock outcrop. Strong tidal stream inuence, but quite
heavily silted rock faces.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn
Site 16 – South of Solan Reef, 55º 14.56’N, 006º 39.16’W
100423/03, 100423/04
Bedrock and boulder ridge midway between Skerries and the Ridges. Slopes up to 35m from surrounding
seabed at 40m. Slope composed of large and small boulders, and square ridges of bedrock (approx. 50cm-
1m high), interspersed with sand. Sand in waves present on the top of the reef. Dominant cover Flustra
foliacea, Alcyonium digitatum and Cliona celata. Towards the edge of the reef low bedrock ridges overlaid
with mobile sand. Dense cover of Flustra foliacea with Alcyonium digitatum. Some rocks with thick sand
cover and polymastid sponges. Single patch of Ciocalypta penicillus present. This species is a southern
species and here and the Ridges are currently the only Northern Ireland site apart from Carlingford Lough
where it is recorded. CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn
Site 17 –Solan Reef, 55º 14.933’N, 006º 39.121’W
100611/01, 100611/02
Low bedrock ridge and a small area of boulders surrounded by ne mobile sand waves (32-34.6m).
Halecium plumosum and Eucratea loricata present on sand. Bedrock with Alcyonium digitatum and
Securiustra securifrons, and a lower amount of Flustra foliacea (heavily sand scoured). Ciocalypta
penicillus present at site. This is a southern species and the area around the Skerries is the only area of
Northern Ireland apart from Carlingford Lough in which it has been recorded.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs, CR.MCR.EcCr.UrtScr
Skerries and Causeway Survey
50
Site 18 – The Ridges – 55º 16.314’N, 006º 36.874’W
100422/01, 100422/02
Terraced bedrock with vertical faces approx. 1m high. Some large boulders on at bedrock. Vertical faces
with large patches of Corynactis viridis. Horizontal with Flustra foliacea and Alcyonium digitatum and
understorey of silt-dwelling ascidians. Some sediment on rock in bedrock troughs with erect sponges and
Nemertesia spp.. CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs
Site 19 – West of Broad Sound, 55º 13.096’N, 006º 39.912’W
05/11/06 Seasearch 8B, 8C,8D,
Coarse, mobile, sand and gravel seabed from 19.2-21.2m. Gravel composed of whole and broken shells,
30% whole shells including Modiolus modiolus and oyster shells. Ripples approximately 30cm high present
with detritus, drift weed and some litter (sweet wrappers etc) collecting in the troughs. Scattered rounded
boulders (about 10% cover) with both tall and short animal turf. Species present included Eucratea loricata,
Flustra foliacea, Hydrallmania falcata, and Lanice conchilega. Crabs (including Liocarcinus depurator,
Necora puber, and spider crabs) fairly frequent.
SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd
Site 20 – West of Broad Sound – 55º 12.975’N, 006º 38.796’W
060824/03
Mixed ground seabed of cobbles, gravel and shell. Area of boulders. Dominant animal cover the hydroids
Halecium muricatum, Hydrallmania falcata, Nemertesia antennina, and N.ramosa. The bryozoan Eucratea
loricata also common.
SS.SMx,CMx.EucHyd
Site 21 – West of Broad Sound – 55º 12.870’N, 006º 38.790’W
060824/04
Substrate of cobbles, pebbles and shell gravel with occasional large and small boulders. Dominant cover
hydroids (Nemertesia antennina, Halecium muricatum and Hydrallmania falcata) and bryozoans (Eucratea
loricata, Vesicularia spinosa and Alcyonidium diaphanum). 22-25m.
SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd
Site 22 – 500m South of Little Skerrie – 55º 13.050’N, 006º 38.700’W
24/09/06 Seasearch 7A
Flat sand and gravel sea bed at 22.4m BCD. Occasional boulders with short animal turf and encrusting pink
algae.
Site 23 – 500m South of Little Skerrie – 55º 12.980’N, 006º 38.650’W
24/09/06 Seasearch 7B
Cobble, pebble and gravel seabed with very occasional large boulders from 22.4-23.4m BCD. Abundant
hydroids and bryozoans (especially Eucratea loricata) attached to pebbles. Pipesh (mainly snake pipesh)
and spider crabs present in large numbers.
SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd
Site 24 – Broad Sound – 55º 12.987’N, 006º 38.654’W
060823/06
Cobble, pebble, shell gravel and coarse sand substrate. Dominant fauna hydroids (Halecium muricatum,
Nemertesia antennina, Hydrallmania falcata) and bryozoans (Eucratea loricata, Vesicularia spinosa and
Flustra foliacea).
SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd
Site 25 – 500m South of Large Skerrie – 55º 12.98’N, 006º 38.65’W
24/09/06 Seasearch 7C
Broken shell and gravel seabed with scattered boulders 24m BCD. Lots of life.
51
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 29. Sites 19-42. South of the Skerries.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Site 26 – North-east Broad Sound - 55º 13.171’N 006º 38.575’W.
060824/06
Bedrock (40%), Large and small boulders (20%), cobbles and sand. In 24-27m. Dominant fauna hydroids
(Halecium muricatum, Hydrallmania falcata and Sertularia argentea) and Flustra foilacea.
CR.HCR.XFa
Site 27 – North-east Broad Sound – 55º 13.096’N, 006º 38.556’W
05/11/06 Seasearch 9A
Sand and gravel seabed with scattered rocks and boulders (20-22.8m BCD). Surveyors swam east from entry
point and when tide turned drifted west with it. Several species of crab frequent.
CR.MCR.EcCr
Site 28 – South of the Skerries – 55º 13.096’N, 006º 38.912’W
05/11/06 Seasearch 9E
Boulders with animal turf. Coarse sand with lots of ne to coarse shell fragments. Formed in waves up over
10cm high. A lot of swell movement. 14-22m.
CR.HCR.XFa, SS.SCS.CCS
Site 29 – East Broad Sound – 55º 13.036’N, 006º 38.439’W
060821/06
Shell gravel substrate 23-24m with occasional large boulders. Dominant species hydroids (Halecium
muricatum (common), Hydrallmania falcata (frequent)) and bryozoans (occasional Flustra foliacea,
Securiustra securifrons and Vesicularia spinosa). Dead Atrina fragilis shell recorded.
SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd
Skerries and Causeway Survey
52
Site 30. East Broad Sound. 55º 12.975’N, 006º 38.427’W.
060824/01
Shell gravel substrate with occasional whole shells and cobbles. 16-25m. Dominant species Halecium
muricatum and Eucratea loricata. Surveyed on fast drift dive so species list not complete. Dead Atrina
fragilis shell recorded.
SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd
Site 31, 300m SE Little Skerrie 55º 13.174’N, 006º 38.422’W
070802/02
Seabed of pebbles and gravel subject to strong tidal streams. Fauna visually dominated by bryozoans
(Eucratea loricata) and hydroids (Nemertesia spp. & Sertularia argentea). Encrusting coralline algae on
pebbles and dead bivalve shells. In places, seabed paved with dead Tapes rhomboides covered in coralline
algae, suggesting some stability of the seabed. Seabed of sand waves to 0.8m in height, with sand ripples.
Visible fauna very sparse apart from large shoals of Ammodytes tobianus. Sand very mobile: coarse rippled
sand with scattered dead shell and pebbles 16-17m depth and mega ripples circa 0.5m high.
SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR, SS.SSa.IFiSa.IMoSa, SS.SCS.ICS
Site 32 , South of Little Skerrie 3, 55º 13.161’N, 006º 38.445’W
27/08/06 Seasearch 4A
Surveyed on drift dive covering several habitats: 1) Coarse sand with some cobbles and pebbles 18.4-22.4m
BCD. Dominated by hydroids (Halecium muricatum and Nemertesia antennina) and the bryozoan Eucratea
loricata. 2) Coarse sand with dead shells and shell gravel, many red weeds. Much of shell Modiolus
modiolus. Depth surveyed 12.4-18.4m BCD. Atrina fragilis shell found. 3) Coarse sand dunes, quite mobile
with little life present. Many dead weeds drifting. Depth 8.4-12.4m BCD. SS.SMx.CMx.Euc.Hyd
Site 33, East Broad Sound, 55º 13.074’N, 006º 38.400’W
060821/05
Fine sand with occasional (5%) large boulders. Hydroids (Halecium muricatum) and bryozoans (Vesicularia
spinosa, Flustra foliacea and Securiustra securifrons) dominant.
SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd
Site 34, South-east little Skerrie, 55º 13.141’N, 006º 38.315’W
060821/04
Level (22m) substrate of mainly shell gravel (60%), with some sand and occasional (5%) cobbles. Dominant
cover hydroids (Halecium muricatum, Nemertesia antennina, Hydrallmania falcata and Rhizocaulus
verticillatus) and bryozoans (Eucratea loricata and Vesicularia spinosa).
SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd
Site 35, North of Portrush Golf Links, 55º 12.836’N, 006º 38.236’W
090824/01
Long waves of mobile sand (16m depth) with approximately 25% shell gravel. Some intact shells present.
Not much sessile life, sand obviously mobile. What little life that was present, was attached to large shell
pieces. Some mobile species notably sand/common gobies Pomatoschistus spp.
SS.SSa.IFiSa.IMoSa
Site 36, Inside of Skerries 5, 55º 12.928’N, 006º 37.556’W
05/11/06 Seasearch 8E
Sand and gravel with many dead Modiolus modiolus shells 17.2-18.7m BCD. An empty fan mussel shell
was found (donated by Franklyn Riemann to the Ulster Museum). Surveyed on drift dive so not possible to
get much detail on habitats and species. SS.SMx.CMx
Site 37, South of Skerries 3, 55º 12.947’N, 006º 37.699’W
05/11/06 Seasearch 9C, 9B
53
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Shallow sloping seabed, 15.5-22.3m BCD, mainly shell gravel formed from intact Modiolus modiolus shells
but around 5% boulders. Tall and short animal turf on rocks and growing on shell gravel including Flustra
foliacea and Nemertesia antennina.
Site 38, Inside of Skerries, 55º 12.928’N, 006º 37.556’W
05/11/06 Seasearch 8A
Sand and gravel seabed from 15.6-23.6m BCD. Surveyed on drift dive (drifted approximately 0.5nm SW).
Some patches of shell gravel present and a few live Modiolus modiolus.
SS.SMx.CMx
Site 39. South of Skerries. 55º 12.957’N, 006º 37.699’W
05/11/06 Seasearch 9D
Bed of dead Modiolus modiolus shells from 18-22m, some other shells present for example oysters. Shells
large and mainly intact. Little life apparent. Survey completed on drift dive so many smaller species omitted
from record.
SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd
Site 40, 600m south Large Skerrie, 55º 13.090’N, 006º 37.919’W
070802/01
Medium sand with empty shells (some Modiolus modiolus), and occasional mixed seaweeds, mainly
Gracilariopsis. Leading to sand with 1m high, 1.5m wide waves. 10-14m. SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR
Site 41, South of Little Skerrie 2, 55º 13.161’N, 006º 38.445’W
27/08/06 Seasearch 4B
Area surveyed on drift dive covering several habitats: 1) Flat cobble and gravel with a high cover of
hydroids - Nemertesia spp. and Halecium muricatum. A few small boulders. Depth from 13.4-21.4m BCD;
2) Sand with a few boulders and cobbles with Saccharina latissima attached 10.4-12.4m BCD; 3) Mobile
sand in waves with shell debris in gullies. Mostly bivalve shells including many dead Modiolus modiolus.
Very little life, depth surveyed 10.4-13.4m BCD; 4) Highly mobile sand waves with much drift algae 8.4-
10.4m BCD.
SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd, SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR, SS.SSa
Site 42, South of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.204’N, 006º 38.019’W
27/08/06 Seasearch 4D
1) Medium sand with patches of muddy sand and shell/pebbles gravel. Strands of Saccharina latissima.
Mixed red seaweeds in clumps, both attached to base of kelp, and elsewhere in sand. One piece of live maerl
present. 2) Medium sand, no fauna visible except Liocarcinus depurator and sand eels. Sand rippled and in
waves. 12-13.7m.
SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR, SS.SSa.IFiSa.IMoSa
Site 43, Inside of Skerries, 55º 13.124’N, 006º 37.111’W
100610/01
Fine sand, 15-16m, fairly level with small waves (~4cm high) parallel to beach (E to W). Not much
epifauna - occasional Halecium plumosum attached to shells; the crab Corystes cassivelaunus frequent.
Empty mollusc shells and visible indications of infauna present.
SS.SSa.IFiSa.IMoSa
Site 44, Inside of Skerries, 55º 13.33’N, 006º 38.15’W
15/06/08 Seasearch NI8/033, NI8/044
Level sandy seabed at 9.4-10.4m BCD, reef with kelp (Saccharina latissima, L.hyperborea and Sacchoriza
polyschides) at edge of sand. Many other seaweed species. In shallower water mixed ground seabed with
some rocky reef outcrops (3.4-9.4m BCD). Kelp forest and mixed seaweeds, also some short animal turf on
bedrock.
54
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 30. Sites 44-52. South of the Skerries.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Site 45, South of Little Skerrie, 55º 13.161’N, 006º 38.445’W
27/08/06 Seasearch 4C
Fine sand and gravel, with some coarser areas, some shell fragments. Depth from 7.4-16.4m BCD. Bank
1/2m deep from fairly barren sand/gravel area, which formed dunes and banks, leading down to area with
coarser gravel and small boulders with attached kelp and other algae. Pipesh very common. Nudibranchs
present on algae. Dive was drift dive over approximately 800m.
SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR
Site 46, Inside Castle Island, 55º 13.333’N, 006º 38.150’W
15/06/08 Seasearch NI8/049
1) Sand with boulders. Dominated by Saccharina latissima.
2) Fairly barren, tideswept sand with a brown algal mat on the surface. Some Saccharina latissima, Chorda
lum and red seaweeds present. Sand in small waves, some pockets of shell fragments on wave crests.
Tracks in sand from stones with attached weed dragging.
3) Boulders dominated by Flustra foliacea, large colonies of Cliona celata also present.
IR.MIR.KT, SS.SSa.IFiSa, CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs
Site 47, South East of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.35’N, 006º 37.85’W
27/08/06 Seasearch 5C
Sand and gravel seabed from 7.8-13.8m BCD. One area of sediment formed into furrows parallel with edge
of Skerrie, sea cucumbers (Thyone sp.) were present in this area. Scattered boulders with attached algae on
at areas of sediment. Some seagrass present in sediment but fairly rare.
SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR
55
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Site 48, South of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.35’N, 006º 37.98’W
23/08/09 Seasearch NI9/063
Sand and shell gravel from 5.2-7.6m BCD. Low ridges of sand with gravel accumulating in the dips. Mixed
red and brown algae present with Saccharina latissima dominating. Divers swam east along south side of
Large Skerrie, approximately 200m, looking for Seagrass (none found).
SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR
Site 49, South of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.35’N, 006º 37.980’W
23/08/09 Seasearch NI9/062
Sand with patches of shell gravel and rare boulders. Some worm tubes and anemone burrows in the sand.
Mixed seaweeds adhering to larger patches of shell. Saccharina latissima attached to boulders. 7-12m.
SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR
Site 50, South of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.353’N, 006º 37.953’W
31/05/09 Seasearch NI9/068
1) Dense kelp forest of Laminaria digitata, L. hyperborea, Alaria esculenta and Sacchoriza polyschides on
bedrock and large boulders. Thinning to kelp park in deeper water. Understorey of mixed red weeds. Depth
surveyed from 0.8-14.2 BCD. 2) Fauna on wall and deeper, kelp free, boulders covered in sponges, ascidians
and hydroids, with some red algae. Depth surveyed 14.2-17.2m BCD.
IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR, IR.HIR.KFaR.Ala.Ldig
Site 51, South of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.351’N, 006º 37.980’W
23/08/09 Seasearch NI9/058
Kelp forest on bedrock leading onto sand and ne gravel. Depth surveyed 6.4-8.4m BCD.
Site 52, South of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.35’N, 006º 37.85’W,
27/08/06 Seasearch 5A,5B,5C,5D,5E
Zostera marina seagrass bed on ne to medium sand. Banded chink shell Lacuna vincta and the stalked
jellysh Haliclystus auriculata attached to the seagrass blades. Adjacent habitats include areas of boulder
slope (0-5.8m) and ne at sand with lugworm casts and occasional small boulders with Sacchoriza
polyschides and Saccharina latissima 5.8-7.8m BCD.
SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar, IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft, SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR
Site 53, Inside Large Skerrie near swim-through, 55º 13.353’N, 006º 37.983’W
31/05/09 Seasearch NI9/020
This site is at the entrance to a swim-through which runs through Large Skerrie. In calm conditions it is
possible to exit into a bay on the north side of Large Skerrie and surface there.
1) Bedrock gully leading into swim-through. Swim-through is a vertical narrow slot (oblong shaped) in
the bedrock face of Large Skerrie, approximately 1m wide and 2m high. Very surge swept - covered with
encrusting pink algae. Not surveyed in depth as very swelly so dangerous to enter swim-through. Depth
at base approximately 4m BCD. 2) Very large and large boulders covered in kelp forest (Laminaria
hyperborea). Understorey of foliose red algae and short animal turf (Aplidium punctum occasional). Not
surveyed in detail.
3) Fine sand with sparse kelp (Saccharina latissima) and foliose red algae. Gently sloping from 6.6-7.6m
BCD. Some waves and small pockets of gravel present in wave troughs. Occasional pebbles and empty
shells with red weed attached.
IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft, SS.SSa
Site 54, South of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.351’N, 006º 37.890’W
23/08/09 Seasearch NI9/060
Kelp forest on bedrock 0-8.4m.
56
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 31. Sites 48-59. South of Large Skerrie.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Site 55, South of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.325’N, 006º 37.819’W
060821/03
Fine sand (6-10m) with Zostera marina seagrass bed.
SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar
Site 56, South of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.330’N, 006º 37.810’W
090824/02
Zostera marina seagrass bed on sand. Depth 6-8m.
SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar
Site 57, South coast Large Skerrie, 55º 13.354’N, 006º 37.598’W
060821/01
Zostera marina seagrass bed on ne sand in 8-9.4m.
SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar
Site 58, South coast Large Skerrie, 55º 13.353’N, 006º 37.525’W
060821/02
Zostera marina seagrass bed on ne sand.
SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar
Site 59, South Coast Large Skerrie, 55º 13.362’N, 006º 37.504’W
070801/03
Medium sand with Zostera marina seagrass bed. 5-9m. Cerianthus lloydi in sediment and occasional red
seaweeds. Banded chink shell Lacuna vincta on Zostera fronds.
SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar
57
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Site 60, North-west Large Skerrie, 55º 13.437’N, 006º 38.061’W
060822/03
Bedrock from 16-28m. Dominant fauna Caryophyllia smithii, Alcyonium digitatum, Securiustra
securifrons and erect and encrusting sponges.
CR.HCR.DpSp
Site 61, North of Castle Island, 55º 13.464’N, 006º 38.288’W
070731/03
Small and large boulders with dominant cover of bryozoans, mainly Flustra foliacea, Securiustra
securifrons and Cellaria and Crisiidae species. Frequent Echinus esculentus and Caryophyllia smithii, with
Aslia lefevrei in crevices. One Conger conger and the ‘pinhead’ ascidian Pycnoclavella stolonialis recorded.
16-18m.
CR.HCR.Xfa.ByErSp.DysAct
Site 62, Bay north of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.437’N, 006º 38.021’W
26/08/06 Seasearch 3A, 2A, 2B
1) Large boulders on almost at (16-17m) seabed below rock walls. Cover of short animal turf and foliose
red algae.
CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp.PenPcom
2) Steep bedrock walls (9-17m BCD) with short bryozoan and hydroid turf and a variety of ‘clean water’
sponges and bryozoans - Pentapora foliacea, Polymastia penicillus and Cliona celata. Fissures and crevices
in bedrock. CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp.PenPcom
2) Top of rocky wall at side of bay with kelp forest of Laminaria hyperborea. Depth surveyed 4-9m BCD
IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft.
Figure 32. Sites 60-70. North of Large Skerrie.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Skerries and Causeway Survey
58
Site 63, North of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.465’N, 006º 38.000’W
070430/01
1) Infralittoral bedrock with many ssures 12-17m. Sparse Laminaria hyperborea kelp park and frequent red
algae including Delesseria sanguinea and Hypoglossum hypoglossoides.
IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Pk,
2) Fissured bedrock 12-17m with frequent Flustra foliacea and colonial ascidians including Synoicum
incrustatum.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn
Site 64, North-west Large Skerrie, 55º 13.474’N, 006º 37.957’W
060822/04
Vertical and very steep bedrock wall leading onto boulders (14-27m). Rock silted with some crevices and
ssures. Dominant fauna the corals Alcyonium digitatum, and Caryophyllia smithii , the anemone Actinothoe
sphyrodeta, the bryozoan Alcyonidium diaphanum, urchins Echinus esculentus and the starsh Leptasterias
muelleri. Laminaria hyperborea kelp park on upper parts of wall.
IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Pk
CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp
Site 65, North-west Large Skerrie, 55º 13.469’N, 006º 37.824’W
070801/01
Steep boulder slope on the north side of the Skerries. Fauna dominated by bryozoans: Securiustra
securifrons, Flustra foliacea and dense bryozoan turf. Occasional ‘pinhead’ (Pycnoclavella stolonialis) and
‘silt’ ascidians embedded within the bryozoan turf.
CR.HCR.Xfa.ByErSp.DysAct
Site 66, North Large Skerrie, 55º 13.478’N, 006º 37.731’W
060823/01
Boulder slope from 15-28m (80% very large and 20% small). Cover of Caryophyllia smithii, Alyconium
digitatum, Actinothoe sphyrodeta, barnacles and Flustra foliacea, Bugula plumosa and other bryozoans.
Dendrodoa grossularia frequent under boulders. Frequent Echinus esculentus . Red algae on shallower areas
of boulders. Occasional Axinella damicornis present.
CR.HCR.XFa.ByErSp
IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR
Site 67, North of Large Skerrie. 55º 13.460’N, 006º 37.693’W
24/09/06 Seasearch 6A, 6B, 6C
Rock reef (North side of Large Skerrie) with some boulders, cobbles and pebbles around base at 18.4m
BCD. Boulders of varying size (18.4-19.4m BCD), mainly very large and large but some small present. Kelp
forest at top of reef, becoming increasingly animal dominated (tall and short animal turf) with depth. Some
areas silted. . Red blenny Parablennius ruber recorded - rst record for Northern Ireland.
CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp
Site 68, North of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.502’N, 006º 37.549’W
070731/01
Boulders, mainly large, occasional small and very large; dominated by bryozoan cover, mainly Flustra
foliacea and Securiustra securifrons, with Crisiidae indet. Small patches of medium sand in between.
Gentle boulder slope from 32.9m BSL to 27m BSL. Other species present included common Caryophyllia
smithii, Alcyonium digitatum and bryozoan crusts; occasional colonial ascidians including Polycarpa scuba
and Morchellium argus.
CR.HCR.Xfa.ByErSp.DysAct
59
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 33. Sites 71-74. Black Rock.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material ob-
tained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Site 69, North-east of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.495’N, 006º 37.423’W
070801/02
Vertical bedrock to 18m becoming boulder slope on very large boulders (3-4m). Flat seabed at 30m with
sand between medium boulders. Large boulders with abundant Securiustra securifrons. Large vertical
rockface from 16-8m covered with Dendrodoa grossularia and Sagartia elegans.
CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Sec
IR.FIR.SG.CrSpAsDenB
Site 70, North-east of Large Skerrie, 55º 13.482’N, 006º 37.414’W
060823/02
Very large (80%) and large (20%) boulders from 16-27m. Dominant cover Flustra foliacea and Securiustra
securifons (common), Crisiid bryozoan turf (abundant), Alcyonium digitatum (abundant) and Actinothoe
sphyrodeta (common). Red algae on upper parts of slope.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs
IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR
Site 71, North-west of Black Rock, 55º 13.514’N, 006º 37.207’W
060822/02
Vertical bedrock from 14-25m. Dominant cover Alcyonium digitatum (common), Caryophyllia smithii
(common), Metridium senile (occasional), and Raspailia ramosa (Frequent), Axinella damicornis recorded
(rare).
CR.HCR.XFa.SpAnVt
Site 72, North-east of Black Rock, 55º 13.506’N, 006º 37.176’W
060823/03
Skerries and Causeway Survey
60
Bedrock wall from 18-29.5m. Dominant cover Alcyonium digitatum, Sagartia elegans and Corynactis viridis
(common) and a variety of erect sponges including Tethya citrina (frequent), Axinella dissimilis, Axinella
infundibuliformis, and Axinella damicornis (occasional) and encrusting sponges (frequent).
CR.HCR.DpSp.var. (although could possibly be included in CR.HCR.XFa.ByErSp.Sag)
Site 73, North-east of Black Rock, 55º 13.522’N, 006º 37.148’W
060822/01
Vertical bedrock from 14-25m. Dominant cover Alcyonium digitatum, Caryophyllia smithii (common),
Metridium senile (occasional) and Raspailia ramosa (Frequent).
CR.HCR.XFa.SpAnVt, CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs
Site 74, 1st Pinnacle east of Black Rock, 55º 13.489’N, 006º 36.918’W
070803/01
Vertical rock face (23-29m) with ssures and crevices, with dominant cover of bryozoan turf, including
Crisia sp., Flustra foliacea, Securiustra securifrons and Bugula sp. Occasional sponge crusts and some
extensive patches of Cliona celata. Rare patch of Corynactis viridis, frequent Actinothoe sphyrodeta and
Alcyonium digitatum. Dense areas of the ascidian presently known as the ‘red silt’ sea squirt.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn
Site 75, East of Black Rock, 55º 13.513’N, 006º 36.615’W
060825/02
Bedrock from 20-28m, 50% vertical and 50% upper faces. Dominated by Flustra foliacea and Securiustra
securifrons, abundant Dendrodoa grossularia.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs
Site 76, 2nd Pinnacle East of Black Rock, 55º 13.527’N, 006º 36.603’W
070803/02
Steep sided pinnacle - lower faces surveyed (25m+), although pinnacle ascended to 15m depth. Upper faces
less steep. Large boulders at base of bedrock appeared to lead into sand at edge, but not surveyed. Dominant
cover Flustra foliacea, Securiustra securifrons, Actinothoe sphyrodeta and Caryophyllia smithii (common),
Alcyonium digitatum and Synoicum incrustatum (frequent).
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn
Site 77, East of Black Rock, 55º 13.525’N, 006º 36.534’W
060825/01
Steep bedrock ridge with ssures and crevices, 25.4m maximum surveyed. Quite silty. Horizontal faces
(20% area) heavily silty with unidentied red ascidian present. Vertical faces dominated by Actinothoe
sphyrodeta and erect sponges including Axinella dissimilis, Raspailia hispida, Stelligera rigida and Axinella
infundibuliformis.
CR.HCR.DpSp.var
Site 78, East of Black Rock, 55º 13.512’N, 006º 36.542’W
060825/03
Bedrock from 18-29m. Dominant cover Caryophyllia smithii, Alcyonium digitatum (common), Actinothoe
sphyrodeta (frequent), Flustra foliacea (frequent), ‘red silt’ ascidian (common) and erect and encrusting
sponges.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs (on vertical faces different biotope likely to be present but not enough
information from dive to determine).
Site 79, The Storks, 55º 13.19’N, 006º 35.48’W
100423/01
Vertical bedrock wall from 10-14m with ssures and crevices. Very large angular boulders at base of wall
(not surveyed in detail). Cover of Flustra foliacea, Morchellium argus and Delesseria sanguinea.
61
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 34. Sites 74-78. East of Black Rock.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Figure 35. Sites 79-89. The Storks.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Skerries and Causeway Survey
62
CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp
IR.MIR.KR.LhypT.Pk
Site 80, The Storks, 55º 13.16’N, 06 35.43’W
100423/02
Steep rock faces and sloping area of bedrock with large boulders. Upper parts of rock ridges at 14m
with sparse kelp forest. Vertical faces and overhangs with bryozoans (Flustra foliacea (abundant) and
Securiustra securifrons (common)) and barnacles, occasional patches and clumps of sponges. Polyclinid
ascidians and Caryophyllia smithii common. Large cliff at northern end of dive with sandy patch containing
Cerianthus lloydii at base (18m). Cliff with several Axinella dissimilis and A. damicornis.
IR.MIR.KR.LhypT.Pk
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn
CR.HCR.DpSp.var
Site 81, The Storks, 55º 13.207’N, 006º 35.429’W
26/08/06 Seasearch 1A, 1B, 1C
Dense kelp forest (Laminaria hyperborea) on bedrock from 2-10m. Small to large boulders with cobbles
and pebbles 10.4-18.4m BCD. Short animal turf on boulders. Large number of mobile species, particularly
crustaceans.
CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp
IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft
Site 82, The Storks, 55º 13.228’N, 006º 35.268’W
100607/01
Slope of boulders which progressed into shallower water than depth surveyed. Boulders were very large at
20m, becoming progressively smaller down the slope. Base of slope at 23.7m led onto a plain of cobbles
& pebbles. Whole slope quite silted with ne covering of silt; rock faces appeared scoured. Characterising
species were Alcyonidium diaphanum, Flustra foliacea, Synoicum incrustatum & Morchellium argus. Some
patches of Dendrodoa grossularia on boulder overhangs. Many sh (bib, wrasse) on upper parts of slope.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs
Site 83, The Storks, 55º 13.343’N, 006º 35.267’W
100607/02
Level area of boulders (depth 23m) with a dense cover of Flustra foliacea, hydroids and tunicates. Most
boulders small, but stable, with spaces beneath the boulders and little silt. Patches of silty gravel between the
boulders.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.X
Site 84, North of the Storks, 55º 13.464’N, 006º 35.304’W
060823/04
Boulders from 20-23m. Dominated by Flustra foliacea, Crisia, Caryophyllia smithii and Actinothoe
sphyrodeta (frequent). Red ‘silty’ ascidian frequent. Area of sponges including Axinella dissimilis and
Axinella damicornis.
IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR
CR.HCR.DpSp.var
Site 85, Reef north of the Storks, 55º 13.511’N, 006º 35.121’W
100610/03
Vertical sided bedrock ridge (20-23m) leading onto slope of small boulders with occasional large and very
large ones. Base of slope in 28.8m. This led into ridged sand. Dominant cover Flustra foliacea, Nemertesia
antennina and Actinothoe sphyrodeta.
CR.HCR.XFa.ByErSp.DysAct
Site 86, North-east of the Storks, 55º 13.557’N, 006º 35.045’W
63
Skerries and Causeway Survey
100610/02
Extensive at rock platforms with vertical steps 1m in height. A few boulders on the rock. Flat rock
with Nemertesia antennina, Flustra and Securiustra. Numerous seasquirts in silt, possibly Dendrodoa
grossularia and Polycarpa scuba. Vertical faces with abundant Caryophyllia smithii and some sponges.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs
Site 87, Dunluce Reef, 55º 12.914’N, 006º 34.895’W
090825/01
3m high cliff of limestone, very pitted. Limestone rock ledge at base covered with sand with rounded basalt
boulders.
CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp
Site 88, Dunluce Reef, 55º 12.996’N, 006º 34.787’W
090825/02
Steeply sloping bedrock reef (18-21.7m), probably limestone. Some areas of highly pitted limestone, rest
smooth and covered with layer of silt. Dominant species Cliona celata, red algae and Nemertesia antennina.
Gentle slope of angular boulders. 19-21m surveyed, but went deeper. Some very large >1.5m, but most
small. Patches of sand and pebbles between boulders. Dominant cover encrusting bryozoans and Nemertesia
antennina. Whole habitat quite sand scoured, life not abundant. One specimen of Pentapora foliacea.
CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp
Site 89, East Dunluce Reef, 55º 13.03’N, 006º 34.54’W
100422/03, 100422/04
Silty angular boulders of varying sizes, 15-17.8m depth surveyed. Delesseria sanguinea common,
occasional Flustra foliacea. Occasional Laminaria hyperborea on shallower areas. One limestone outcrop,
heavily bored with Cliona celata. Some dogsh eggs present on kelp stipe. Adjacent areas of Flustra
foliacea and foliose red algae scattered on heavily silted fairly at sloping limestone, giving the supercial
appearance of a sediment seabed. Large angular boulders on bedrock with large Alcyonium digitatum on top.
Dendrodoa grossularia in silt on limestone bedrock.
IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Pk
CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs
Site 90, North of Bushmills Bay, 55º 13.786’N, 006º 33.322’W
100608/01
Rock pinnacle with large at top in 22.5m. Sides very steep, dropping to 27m at base. Small gully on top
with small boulders. Dominated by Flustra foliacea and Securiustra securifrons.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs
Site 91, North of Bushmills Bay, 55º 13.825’N, 006º 33.168’W
100608/02
Low lying bedrock outcrops (27.5m), smoothly rounded and adjacent areas of boulders. Rock surfaces with
abundant Flustra foliacea and some Securiustra securifrons.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs
Site 92, Off Runkerry Point, 55º 13.98’N, 006º 32.09’W
100414/04
Silty sparse kelp forest. Early in season, but lots of small Delesseria sanguinea. Kelp stipes with occasional
Halichondria panicea and many epiphytes. Some rugged gullies.
IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Pk
Site 93, North-west of Giant’s Causeway, 55º 14.174’N, 006º 31.720’W
14/04/07 Seasearch 7A
64
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 36. Sites 90-98. Runkerry Point and the Giant’s Causeway. © British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights
reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission
of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Steep limestone bedrock (9-16m). Laminaria hyperborea kelp park with rock surface underneath covered
in colonial seasquirts (Synoicum incrustatum, Morchellium argus). Small pockets of coarse sand on ledges.
Haliclona viscosa very common but odd beige colour rather than usual purpleish hue. Area of vertical
bedrock (9-16m). Covered in pink encrusting algae and Actinothoe sphyrodeta. One crevice with sea
cucumbers (Pawsonia saxicola and Aslia lefevrei).
CR.MCR.EcCr
IR.MIR.KR.LhypT.Pk
Site 94, Causeway Bank, 55º 14.992’N, 006º 31.554’W
100610/04
Large sand wave rising from 27m to 20m over the course of about 200-300m distance. Very gentle slope
with much of the rise accounted for by frequent ‘steps’ of perhaps 20cm height, clearly visible by the
accumulation of shell gravel forming straight lines on the seabed. Single large rise/steep bank of 2m height
from about 24m to 22m leading to top of sand wave where the terrain was more pock-marked with sand
depresssions. Sand ripples throughout. Soft coarse/medium with some ne shell fragments. Several small
Pagurus bernhardus and a couple of Echinus esculentus on top of sand wave.
SS.SCS.CCS
Site 95, Offshore of Giant’s Causeway, 55º 14.42’N, 006º 31.44’W
100414/03
Low bedrock ridges (21.5-22.7m surveyed), quite rugged limestone in places. Quite scoured with sand and a
thin layer of sand lying over bedrock. A few large boulders. Synoicum incrustans abundant. Flustra foliacea
common and Alcyonium digitatum frequent. Some very large pieces of Cliona celata; other sponges such as
Polymastia sp. common.
CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn
65
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 37. Sites 99-101. Bengore Head.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Site 96, Offshore of Giant’s Causeway, 55º 14.712’N, 006º 30.829’W
100412/01
Small angular boulders (basalt) and cobbles, with small patches between boulders of pebble and shelly
coarse sand. Pentapora foliacea common. CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp.PenPcom
Site 97, Offshore of Giant’s Causeway, 55º 14.640’N, 006º 30.647’W
14/04/07 Seasearch 2A
Dive just offshore of Giant’s Causeway. Seabed composed of large boulders and some bedrock outcrops
forming ridges interspersed with patches of sand and gravel. Fairly at (around 12.7m). Kelp park on
boulders together with mixed seaweeds and some short animal turf (many colonial seasquirts). Little life in
sediment, appears to be very mobile.
IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Pk
Site 98, Offshore of Giant’s Causeway, 55º 14.646’N, 006º 30.647’W
14/04/07 Seasearch DG,TB,ED
Gently sloping seabed from 13.7-16.7m BCD with boulders covered in kelp park and fairly abundant animal
life.
Site 99, Bengore Head, 55º 15.29’N, 006º 28.92’W
100414/02
Rugged bedrock in steps (25-29m). Upper surfaces with Flustra foliacea. Vertical surfaces with bryozoans,
especially Parasmittina trispinosa and patches of sponges, mostly Haliclona viscosa.
CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp
66
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Figure 38. Sites 102-105. Carrick-a-Rede Island.
© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited. All rights reserved. Products Licence No. 122009.004. This product has been derived in part from material
obtained from the UK Hydrographic Ofce with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofce and UK Hydrographic Ofce (www.ukho.gov.
uk). NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION.
Site 100, Bengore Head, 55º 15.22’N, 006º 28.03’W
100414/01
Level seabed of pebbles (black - ?basalt) with occasional small boulders. Not much life apparent. Pebbles
scoured. Ophiura albida frequent, juvenile Crossaster papposus. Occasional boulders relatively bare -
occasional Halecium plumosum and Nemertesia antennina.
CR.MCR.EcCr
Site 101, East of Bengore Head, 55º 14.661’N, 006º 27.436’W
100412/02
Laminaria hyperborea kelp forest with understorey of red foliose algae. Substrate mixture of small boulders
with cobbles and a small quantity of sand (depth 13-14m). Many seaweeds juvenile and impossible to
identify.
IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Ft
Site 102, Carrick-a-Rede Island, West side, 55º 14.598’N, 006º 20.012’W
07/09/08 NI8/081 NI8/080
Slope of large boulders on west side of Carrick-a-Rede Island. Depth surveyed from 18-21m BCD (bottom
of slope). Red seaweeds very abundant, particularly Heterosiphonia plumosa. Upper parts of slope 9-18m
mainly bedrock with Laminaria hyperborea kelp forest and park.
IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR.Dic
Site 103, Carrick-a-Rede Island, West side, 55º 14.435’N, 006º 19.907’W
30/06/07 Seasearch 6A-AK
Gently sloping bedrock reef from -4.2-19.2m BCD, slope faces north. Area of sand at base of reef and
67
Skerries and Causeway Survey
another small area at the top of the slope. Upper parts of reef covered in kelp forest, deeper on the slope this
thins to kelp park. Four/ve catsharks/dogsh (Scyliorhinus canicula).
Site 104, Carrick-a-Rede, 55º 14.370’N, 006º 19.850’W
05/08/07 Seasearch 3A, 3B, 3C
Fine rippled mobile sand from 5.2-9.2m BCD. Bedrock cliff from 7.2-12.7m BCD with cobbles and pebbles
at its base. Cliff covered in kelp Laminaria hyperborea and Alaria esculenta forest with understory of red
weeds (species rich).
SS.SSa.IFiSa.IMoSa, IR.HIR.KFaR.Ala, IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Ft
Site 105, Caves East of Carrick-a-Rede, 55º 14.273’N, 006º 19 795’W
07/09/08 Seasearch NI8/077, NI8/082
Three north facing seacaves in cliff to east side of Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge. All three caves surveyed.
Caves with steep bedrock walls, large boulders in base of cave interspersed with sand. Shallow - 0.8-4.2m
BCD. Vertical bedrock walls of seacave dominated by sponge crusts and anemones (Actinothoe sphyrodeta
and Sagartia elegans). Large boulders in base of cave covered in algae, mainly Sacchoriza polyschides and
Alaria esculenta. Encusting pink algae also present.
IR.FIR.SG.FoSwCC, IR.FIR.SG.CrSpAsAn
Skerries and Causeway Survey
68
Site
Number Survey Name Event Name Marine
Recorder
Reference
Event
Date Start Poisiton Min
Depth
(m SL)
Max
Depth
(m SL) Biotope Code Surveyors
12007 Seasearch North
Coast Tuns Bank CW, DG 26-May-07 55 14.00N,
006 53.50W -12.5 -12.5 BS Chris Wood
David Goodwin
12007 Seasearch North
Coast Tun’s Bank OA, RS 26-May-07 55 14.00N,
006 53.50W -11.7 -12.2 BS Orea Anderson
Ronnie Snyder
12007 Seasearch North
Coast Tuns Bank AK, CG 26-May-07 55 14.006N,
006 53.500W -14 -14 BS Alasdair Kennedy
Claire Goodwin
22007 SSNI North
Coast NE Foyle entry marker 070802/04 02-Aug-07 55 15.742N,
006 50.652W -32 -32 SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
Lin Baldock
32007 Seasearch North
Coast Black Rocks, 0.6 miles NW of
Portstewart Harbour CW, DG 26-May-07 55 11.369N,
006 44.256W -22 -23.5 SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd Chris Wood
David Goodwin
32007 Seasearch North
Coast Black Rocks, 0.6 miles NW of
Portstewart Harbour OA, RS 26-May-07 55 11.369N,
006 44.256W -21 -23.9 SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd Orea Anderson
Ronnie Snyder
32007 Seasearch North
Coast Black Rocks, 0.6m N
Portstewart CG, AK 26-May-07 55 11.369N,
006 44.256W -22 -23.9 SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd Alasdair Kennedy
Claire Goodwin
42007 SSNI North
Coast NW Portstewart Point 070802/03 02-Aug-07 55 11.728N,
006 44.094W -25 -25 SS.SSa.CFiSa Claire Goodwin
Jennifer Jones
52009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Ramore Head, Portrush NI9/018 31-May-09 55 12.63N,
006 39.79W -15.5 -17.5 MS Jonathan Beattie
62008 Seasearch
Ramore Head Ramore Head, Portrush NI8/043,
046 15-Jun-08 55 12.602N
006 39.877W -15 -30 IR.HIR.KSed.XKScrR Dearn McClintock
Sven Laming
62008 Seasearch
Ramore Head Ramore Head, Portrush NI8/043,
046 15-Jun-08 55 12.602N
006 39.877W -15 -30 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs Dearn McClintock
Sven Laming
72009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Ramore Head, Portrush NI9/069 31-May-09 55 12.581N,
006 39.745W -13 -17.5 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs Charmaine Blake
Stephen McClelland
72009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Ramore Head, Portrush NI9/069 31-May-09 55 12.581N,
006 39.745W -13 -17.5 TAT Charmaine Blake
Stephen McClelland
82009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Ramore Head, Portrush NI9/061 23-Aug-09 55 12.608N,
006 39.771 -16 -17.3 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs Claire Goodwin
Frances O’Sullivan
82009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Ramore Head, Portrush NI9/055 23-Aug-09 55 12.608N,
006 39.771W -10 -15 MS David Goodwin
Stephen McClelland
82009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Ramore Head, Portrush NI9/059 23-Aug-09 55 12.608N,
006 39.771W -9 -17 MS Dave Harrison
Noel Black
92008 Seasearch
Ramore Head Ramore Head, Portrush NI8/050 15-Jun-08 55 12.602N,
006 39.765W -10 -18 KP Adrian Marshall
Charmaine Blake
10 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Ramore Head, Portrush NI9/019 31-May-09 55 12.643N,
006 39.799W -15 -22.5 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs Claire Goodwin
Sharon Fallows
10 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Ramore Head, Portrush NI9/019 31-May-09 55 12.643N,
006 39.799W -15 -22.5 TAT Claire Goodwin
Sharon Fallows
11 2008 Seasearch
Ramore Head Ramore Head, Portrush NI8/045,
035, 036 15-Jun-08 55 12.602N,
006 39.764W -17 -22 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs Alasdair Kennedy
Claire Goodwin
Melvyn Heath
Appendix 2. Survey data used in this report. Organised by site number.
69
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Site
Number Survey Name Event Name Marine
Recorder
Reference
Event
Date Start Poisiton Min
Depth
(m SL)
Max
Depth
(m SL) Biotope Code Surveyors
12 2008 Seasearch
Ramore Head The Blue Pool NI8/029 07-Jun-08 55 12.533N,
006 39.248W -2 -7 IR.HIR.KSed.LsacChoR Daniel O’Neill
Ronnie Snyder
12 2007 Seasearch North
Coast The Blue Pool 5A-PM
KM 09-Jun-07 55 12.533N,
006 39.248W -2.5 -7.2 KF Karen McKinstrey
Paul McIlwaine
13 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Slipway North of Blue Pool
Countryside Centre NI9/046 27-May-09 55 12.379N,
006 39.190W -1.3 -5.2 SS.SCS.ICS Charmaine Blake
Daniel O’Neill
13 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Slipway North of Blue Pool
Countryside Centre NI9/046 27-May-09 55 12.379N,
006 39.190W -1.3 -5.2 IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR.Dic Charmaine Blake
Daniel O’Neill
13 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Slipway North of Blue Pool
Countryside Centre NI9/046 27-May-09 55 12.379N,
006 39.190W -1.3 -5.2 IR.HIR.KFaR.Ala Charmaine Blake
Daniel O’Neill
13 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Slipway North of Blue Pool
Countryside Centre NI9/046 27-May-09 55 12.379N,
006 39.190W -1.3 -5.2 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR Charmaine Blake
Daniel O’Neill
14 2010 SSNI Skerries Curran Reef 100608/03 08-Jun-10 55 13.727N,
006 39.567W -32 -35.7 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn Claire Goodwin
Ronnie Snyder
14 2010 SSNI Skerries Curran Reef 100608/03 08-Jun-10 55 13.727N,
006 39.567W -32 -35.7 SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd Claire Goodwin
Ronnie Snyder
15 2010 SSNI Skerries Curran Reef 100608/04 08-Jun-10 55 13.737N,
006 39.328W -28 -33 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
16 2010 SSNI Skerries South of Solan Reef 100423/04 23-Apr-10 55 14.56N,
006 39.16W -35 -40 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
16 2010 SSNI Skerries South of Solan Reef 100423/03 23-Apr-10 55 14.96N,
006 39.16W -35.7 -38.9 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
17 2010 SSNI Skerries Solan Reef 100611/01 11-Jun-10 55 14.933N,
006 39.121W -32 -34.6 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs Bernard Picton
Claire Goodwin
Hugh Edwards
Joe Breen
17 2010 SSNI Skerries Solan Reef 100611/01 11-Jun-10 55 14.933N,
006 39.121W -32 -34.6 CR.MCR.EcCr.UrtScr Bernard Picton
Claire Goodwin
Hugh Edwards
Joe Breen
18 2010 SSNI Skerries The Ridges, Portrush 100422/01 22-Apr-10 55 16.31N,
006 36.87W -32 -34 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
18 2010 SSNI Skerries The Ridges, Portrush 100422/02 22-Apr-10 55 16.31N,
006 36.87W -33 -36 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
19 2006 Seasearch
Skerries West of Broad Sound 8D 05-Nov-06 55 13.096N,
006 38.912W -21 -22 SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd Claire Goodwin
Oisin Sweeney
19 2006 Seasearch
Skerries West of Broad Sound 8C 05-Nov-06 55 13.096N,
006 38.912W -21 -21.3 SLA Elena Deligianni
Thorsten Brabetz
19 2006 Seasearch
Skerries West of Broad Sound 8B 05-Nov-06 55 13.096N,
006 38.912W -20 -21.9 SAT David Goodwin
Paul McIlwaine
20 2006 SSNI Skerries West of Broad Sound 060824/03 24-Aug-06 55 12.975N,
006 38.796W SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd Anne Marie Mahon
Bernard Picton
Skerries and Causeway Survey
70
Site
Number Survey Name Event Name Marine
Recorder
Reference
Event
Date Start Poisiton Min
Depth
(m SL)
Max
Depth
(m SL) Biotope Code Surveyors
21 2006 SSNI Skerries West of Broad Sound 060824/04 24-Aug-06 55 12.870N,
006 38.790W -22.7 -24.6 SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd Claire Goodwin
Jennifer Jones
22 2006 Seasearch
Skerries 500m South of Little Skerrie 7A 24-Sep-06 55 13.050N,
006 38.700W -22 -24 SAT Jan Coleman
Ronnie Snyder
23 2006 Seasearch
Skerries 500m South of Little Skerrie 7B 24-Sep-06 55 12.980N,
006 38.650W -23 -24 SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd Brian McIlroy
Claire Goodwin
Thorsten Brabetz
24 2006 SSNI Skerries Broad Sound 060823/06 23-Aug-06 55 12.987N,
006 38.654W -22 -25 SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd Bernard Picton
Jennifer Jones
25 2006 Seasearch
Skerries 500m South of Large Skerrie 7C 24-Sep-06 55 12.98N,
006 38.65W -24 -25 TAT David Goodwin
Paul McIlwaine
26 2006 SSNI Skerries North-east Broad Sound 060824/06 24-Aug-06 55 13.171N,
006 38.575W -24 -27 CR.HCR.XFa Anne Marie Mahon
Bernard Picton
27 2006 Seasearch
Skerries North-east Broad Sound 9A 05-Nov-06 55 13.096N,
006 38.556W -20 -22.8 CR.MCR.EcCr Andrew Blight
Herbie Dennis
28 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of the Skerries 9E 05-Nov-06 55 13.096N,
006 38.912W -14 -22 CR.HCR.XFa Brian McIlroy
Franklyn Riemann
28 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of the Skerries 9E 05-Nov-06 55 13.096N,
006 38.912W -14 -22 SS.SCS.CCS Brian McIlroy
Franklyn Riemann
29 2006 SSNI Skerries East Broad Sound 060821/06 21-Aug-06 55 13.036N,
006 38.439W -23 -23.9 SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd Bernard Picton
Jennifer Jones
30 2006 SSNI Skerries East Broad Sound 060824/01 24-Aug-06 55 12.975N,
006 38.427W -16 -24.8 SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd Claire Goodwin
Jennifer Jones
31 2007 SSNI Skerries 300m SE Little Skerrie 070802/02 02-Aug-07 55 13.174N,
006 38.422W -9 -23 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
Lin Baldock
31 2007 SSNI Skerries 300m SE Little Skerrie 070802/02 02-Aug-07 55 13.174N,
006 38.422W -9 -23 SS.SSa.IFiSa.IMoSa Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
Lin Baldock
31 2007 SSNI Skerries 300m SE Little Skerrie 070802/02 02-Aug-07 55 13.174N,
006 38.422W -9 -23 SS.SCS.ICS Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
Lin Baldock
32 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Little Skerrie 4A 27-Aug-06 55 13.161N,
006 38.445W -10 -24 MS Claire Goodwin
David Goodwin
32 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Little Skerrie 4A 27-Aug-06 55 13.161N,
006 38.445W -10 -24 SLA Claire Goodwin
David Goodwin
32 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Little Skerrie 4A 27-Aug-06 55 13.161N,
006 38.445W -10 -24 SLA Claire Goodwin
David Goodwin
33 2006 SSNI Skerries East Broad Sound 060821/05 21-Aug-06 55 13.074N,
006 38.400W SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd Joe Breen
Trevor Harrison
34 2006 SSNI Skerries South-east Little Skerrie 060821/04 21-Aug-06 55 13.141N,
006 38.315W -22 -22 SS.SMx.CMx.EucHyd Anne Marie Mahon
Claire Goodwin
35 2009 SSNI Skerries Skerries Sandbank, North of
Portrush Golf Links 090824/01 24-Aug-09 55 12.836N,
006 38.236W -16 -16.2 SS.SSa.IFiSa.IMoSa Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
71
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Site
Number Survey Name Event Name Marine
Recorder
Reference
Event
Date Start Poisiton Min
Depth
(m SL)
Max
Depth
(m SL) Biotope Code Surveyors
36 2006 Seasearch
Skerries Inside of Skerries 8E 05-Nov-06 55 12.928N,
006 37.556W -17.5 -19 SS.SMx.CMx Brian McIlroy
Franklyn Riemann
37 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Skerries 9C 05-Nov-06 55 12.947N,
006 37.699W -16 -22.8 SLA David Goodwin
Paul McIlwaine
37 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Skerries 9B 05-Nov-06 55 12.947N,
006 37.699W -17 -22 SLA Elena Deligianni
Thorsten Brabetz
38 2006 Seasearch
Skerries Inside of Skerries 8A 05-Nov-06 55 12.928N,
006 37.556W -16.2 -24.2 SS.SMx.CMx Andrew Blight
Herbie Dennis
39 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Skerries 9D 05-Nov-06 55 12.957N,
006 37.699W -18 -22 SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd Claire Goodwin
Oisin Sweeney
40 2007 SSNI Skerries 600m south Large Skerrie 070802/01 02-Aug-07 55 13.090N,
006 37.919W -10 -14.7 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR Claire Goodwin
Jennifer Jones
41 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Little Skerrie 2 4B 27-Aug-06 55 13.161N,
006 38.445W -10 -23 SS.SMx.CMx.FluHyd Chris Wood
Elena Deligianni
41 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Little Skerrie 2 4B 27-Aug-06 55 13.161N,
006 38.445W -10 -23 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR Chris Wood
Elena Deligianni
41 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Little Skerrie 2 4B 27-Aug-06 55 13.161N,
006 38.445W -10 -23 SS.SSa Chris Wood
Elena Deligianni
41 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Little Skerrie 2 4B 27-Aug-06 55 13.161N,
006 38.445W -10 -23 SS.SSa Chris Wood
Elena Deligianni
42 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Large Skerrie 4D 27-Aug-06 55 13.204N,
006 38.019W -12 -13.7 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR Graham Day
Julia Nunn
42 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Large Skerrie 4D 27-Aug-06 55 13.204N,
006 38.019W -12 -13.7 SS.SSa.IFiSa.IMoSa Graham Day
Julia Nunn
43 2010 SSNI Skerries Inside Skerries 100610/01 10-Jun-10 55 13.124N,
006 37.111W -15 -16 SS.SSa.IFiSa.IMoSa Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
44 2008 Seasearch
Ramore Head Inside Skerries NI8/044 15-Jun-08 55 13.33N,
006 38.15W -4 -10 KF Dearn McClintock
Sven Laming
44 2008 Seasearch
Ramore Head Inside Skerries NI8/033 15-Jun-08 55 13.33N,
006 38.150W -10 -11 KF Adrian Marshall
Charmaine Blake
45 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Little Skerrie 4C 27-Aug-06 55 13.161N,
006 38.445W -9 -18 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR Brian McIlroy
Sven Laming
46 2008 Seasearch
Ramore Head Inside Castle Island NI8/049 15-Jun-08 55 13.333N,
006 38.150W -9 -18 IR.MIR.KT Alasdair Kennedy
Claire Goodwin
46 2008 Seasearch
Ramore Head Inside Castle Island NI8/049 15-Jun-08 55 13.333N,
006 38.150W -9 -18 SS.SSa.IFiSa Alasdair Kennedy
Claire Goodwin
46 2008 Seasearch
Ramore Head Inside Castle Island NI8/049 15-Jun-08 55 13.333N,
006 38.150W -9 -18 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs Alasdair Kennedy
Claire Goodwin
47 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South-east of Large Skerrie 5C 27-Aug-06 55 13.35N,
006 37.85W -9 -15 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR Brian McIlroy
Sven Laming
48 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head South of Large Skerrie NI9/063 23-Aug-09 55 13.35N,
006 37.98W -6.5 -8.9 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR Claire Goodwin
Frances O’Sullivan
Skerries and Causeway Survey
72
Site
Number Survey Name Event Name Marine
Recorder
Reference
Event
Date Start Poisiton Min
Depth
(m SL)
Max
Depth
(m SL) Biotope Code Surveyors
49 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head South of Large Skerrie NI9/062 23-Aug-09 55 13.35N,
006 37.980W -7 -12 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR David Goodwin
50 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head South of Large Skerrie NI9/068 31-May-09 55 13.353N,
006 37.953W 0 -18 IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR Charmaine Blake
Stephen McClelland
50 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head South of Large Skerrie NI9/068 31-May-09 55 13.353N,
006 37.953W 0 -18 IR.HIR.KFaR.Ala.Ldig Charmaine Blake
Stephen McClelland
51 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head South of Large Skerrie NI9/058 23-Aug-09 55 13.351N,
006 37.980W -8 -10 KF Dave Harrison
Noel Black
52 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Large Skerrie 5A 27-Aug-06 55 13.350N,
006 37.850W -7 -10 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR Claire Goodwin
David Goodwin
52 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Large Skerrie 5B 27-Aug-06 55 13.35N,
006 37.85W 0 -9 SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar Chris Wood
Elena Deligianni
52 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Large Skerrie 5B 27-Aug-06 55 13.35N,
006 37.85W 0 -9 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft Chris Wood
Elena Deligianni
52 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Large Skerrie 5B 27-Aug-06 55 13.35N,
006 37.85W 0 -9 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR Chris Wood
Elena Deligianni
52 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Large Skerrie 5D 27-Aug-06 55 13.35N,
006 37.85W -6 -9 KP Mark Glendinning
Ruth Brennan
52 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Large Skerrie 5E 27-Aug-06 55 13.35N,
006 37.85W -8 -10.5 SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar Graham Day
Julia Nunn
52 2006 Seasearch
Skerries South of Large Skerrie 5E 27-Aug-06 55 13.35N,
006 37.85W -8 -10.5 SS.SMp.KSwSS.LsacR Graham Day
Julia Nunn
53 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Inside of Large Skerrie near
swim-through NI9/020 31-May-09 55 13.353N,
006 37.983W -4 -9 SAT Claire Goodwin
Sharon Fallows
53 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Inside of Large Skerrie near
swim-through NI9/020 31-May-09 55 13.353N,
006 37.983W -4 -9 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft Claire Goodwin
Sharon Fallows
53 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head Inside of Large Skerrie near
swim-through NI9/020 31-May-09 55 13.353N,
006 37.983W -4 -9 SS.SSa Claire Goodwin
Sharon Fallows
54 2009 Seasearch
Ramore Head South of Large Skerrie NI9/060 23-Aug-09 55 13.351N,
006 37.890W -8.4 KF Brendan Fitzpatrick
Michael O’Kane
55 2006 SSNI Skerries South of Large Skerrie 060821/03 21-Aug-06 55 13.325N,
006 37.819W -10.6 SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar Bernard Picton
Jennifer Jones
56 2009 SSNI Skerries South of Large Skerrie 090824/02 24-Aug-09 55 13.330N,
006 37.810W -6 -8 SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar Hugh Edwards
Ronnie Snyder
57 2006 SSNI Skerries South of Large Skerrie 060821/01 21-Aug-06 55 13.354N,
006 37.598W -8 -9.4 SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar Anne Marie Mahon
Claire Goodwin
58 2006 SSNI Skerries South coast Large Skerrie 060821/02 21-Aug-06 55 13.353N,
006 37.525W SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar Joe Breen
Trevor Harrison
59 2007 SSNI Skerries South coast Large Skerrie 070801/03 01-Aug-07 55 13.362N,
006 37.504W -5 -9 SS.SMp.SSgr.Zmar Jennifer Jones
Lin Baldock
60 2006 SSNI Skerries North-west Large Skerrie 060822/03 22-Aug-06 55 13.437N,
006 38.061W -16 -28 CR.HCR.DpSp Claire Goodwin
Jennifer Jones
73
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Site
Number Survey Name Event Name Marine
Recorder
Reference
Event
Date Start Poisiton Min
Depth
(m SL)
Max
Depth
(m SL) Biotope Code Surveyors
61 2007 SSNI Skerries North of Castle Island 070731/03 31-Jul-07 55 13.464N,
006 38.288W -22 -23.7 CR.HCR.Xfa.ByErSp.DysAct Jennifer Jones
Lin Baldock
62 2006 Seasearch
Skerries Bay north of Large Skerrie 2A 26-Aug-06 55 13.437N,
006 38.021W -4 -20 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft Brian McIlroy
Sven Laming
62 2006 Seasearch
Skerries Bay north of Large Skerrie 2A 26-Aug-06 55 13.437N,
006 38.021W -4 -20 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp.PenPcom Brian McIlroy
Sven Laming
62 2006 Seasearch
Skerries Bay north of Large Skerrie 2A 26-Aug-06 55 13.437N,
006 38.021W -4 -20 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp.PenPcom Brian McIlroy
Sven Laming
62 2006 Seasearch
Skerries Bay north of Large Skerrie 3A 26-Aug-06 55 13.437N,
006 38.021W -5 -18 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft Chris Wood
Elena Deligianni
62 2006 Seasearch
Skerries Bay north of Large Skerrie 3A 26-Aug-06 55 13.437N,
006 38.021W -5 -18 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp.PenPcom Chris Wood
Elena Deligianni
62 2006 Seasearch
Skerries Bay north of Large Skerrie 3A 26-Aug-06 55 13.437N,
006 38.021W -5 -18 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp.PenPcom Chris Wood
Elena Deligianni
62 2006 Seasearch
Skerries Bay north of Large Skerrie 2B 26-Aug-06 55 13.437N,
006 38.021W -16 -24 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp David Goodwin
Heather Law
63 2007 SSNI Skerries North of Large Skerrie 070430/01 30-Apr-07 55 13.465N,
006 38.000W -12 -30 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn Bernard Picton
Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
Paulo Pizzolla
63 2007 SSNI Skerries North of Large Skerrie 070430/01 30-Apr-07 55 13.465N,
006 38.000W -12 -30 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Pk Bernard Picton
Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
Paulo Pizzolla
63 2007 SSNI Skerries North of Large Skerrie 070430/01 30-Apr-07 55 13.465N,
006 38.000W -12 -30 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn Bernard Picton
Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
Paulo Pizzolla
64 2006 SSNI Skerries North-west Large Skerrie 060822/04 22-Aug-06 55 13.474N,
006 37.957W -14 -27 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Pk Anne Marie Mahon
Bernard Picton
Trevor Harrison
64 2006 SSNI Skerries North-west Large Skerrie 060822/04 22-Aug-06 55 13.474N,
006 37.957W -14 -27 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp Anne Marie Mahon
Bernard Picton
Trevor Harrison
65 2007 SSNI Skerries North-west Large Skerrie 070801/01 01-Aug-07 55 13.469N,
006 37.824W -22 -24.5 CR.HCR.Xfa.ByErSp.DysAct Jennifer Jones
Lin Baldock
66 2006 SSNI Skerries North Large Skerrie 060823/01 23-Aug-06 55 13.478N,
006 37.731W -15 -28 CR.HCR.XFa.ByErSp Anne Marie Mahon
Claire Goodwin
66 2006 SSNI Skerries North Large Skerrie 060823/01 23-Aug-06 55 13.478N,
006 37.731W -15 -28 IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR Anne Marie Mahon
Claire Goodwin
67 2006 Seasearch
Skerries North of Large Skerrie 6C 24-Sep-06 55 13.45N,
006 37.69W -15 -28 TAT David Goodwin
Paul McIlwaine
67 2006 Seasearch
Skerries North of Large Skerrie 6B 24-Sep-06 55 13.460N,
006 37.693W -16 -21 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp Brian McIlroy
Claire Goodwin
Thorsten Brabetz
Skerries and Causeway Survey
74
Site
Number Survey Name Event Name Marine
Recorder
Reference
Event
Date Start Poisiton Min
Depth
(m SL)
Max
Depth
(m SL) Biotope Code Surveyors
67 2006 Seasearch
Skerries North of Large Skerrie 6B 24-Sep-06 55 13.460N,
006 37.693W -16 -21 KP Brian McIlroy
Claire Goodwin
Thorsten Brabetz
67 2006 Seasearch
Skerries North of Large Skerrie 6A 24-Sep-06 55 13.460N,
006 37.693W -14 -20 KF Jan Coleman
Ronnie Snyder
67 2006 Seasearch
Skerries North of Large Skerrie 6A 24-Sep-06 55 13.460N,
006 37.693W -14 -20 MS Jan Coleman
Ronnie Snyder
68 2007 SSNI Skerries North of Large Skerrie 070731/01 31-Jul-07 55 13.502N,
006 37.549W -27 -33 CR.HCR.Xfa.ByErSp.DysAct Jennifer Jones
Lin Baldock
69 2007 SSNI Skerries North-east Large Skerrie 070801/02 01-Aug-07 55 13.495N,
006 37.423W -10 -30 CR.MCR.EcCr.FaAlCr.Sec Hugh Edwards
Ronnie Snyder
69 2007 SSNI Skerries North-east Large Skerrie 070801/02 01-Aug-07 55 13.495N,
006 37.423W -10 -30 IR.FIR.SG.CrSpAsDenB Hugh Edwards
Ronnie Snyder
70 2006 SSNI Skerries North-east Large Skerrie 060823/02 23-Aug-06 55 13.482N,
006 37.414W -16 -27 IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR Joe Breen
Trevor Harrison
70 2006 SSNI Skerries North-east Large Skerrie 060823/02 23-Aug-06 55 13.482N,
006 37.414W -16 -27 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs Joe Breen
Trevor Harrison
71 2006 SSNI Skerries North-west of Black Rock 060822/02 22-Aug-06 55 13.514N,
006 37.207W -18 -29.3 CR.HCR.XFa.SpAnVt Anne Marie Mahon
Bernard Picton
Trevor Harrison
72 2006 SSNI Skerries North-east of Black Rock 060823/03 23-Aug-06 55 13.506N,
006 37.176W -18 -29.5 CR.HCR.DpSp Bernard Picton
Jennifer Jones
73 2006 SSNI Skerries North-east of Black Rock 060822/01 22-Aug-06 55 13.522N,
006 37.148W -14 -27 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs Claire Goodwin
Jennifer Jones
73 2006 SSNI Skerries North-east of Black Rock 060822/01 22-Aug-06 55 13.522N,
006 37.148W -14 -27 CR.HCR.XFa.SpAnVt Claire Goodwin
Jennifer Jones
74 2007 SSNI Skerries 1st Pinnacle east of Black Rock 070803/01 03-Aug-07 55 13.489N,
006 36.918W -23 -29 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs.Syn Bernard Picton
Jennifer Jones
Lin Baldock
75 2006 SSNI Skerries East of Black Rock 060825/02 25-Aug-06 55 13.513N,
006 36.615W -20 -28 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs Joe Breen
Trevor Harrison
76 2007 SSNI Skerries 2nd Pinnacle east of Black
Rock 070803/02 03-Aug-07 55 13.527N,
006 36.603W -25 -28.1 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn Claire Goodwin
Hugh Edwards
77 2006 SSNI Skerries East of Black Rock 060825/01 25-Aug-06 55 13.525N,
006 36.534W -25.4 CR.HCR.DpSp.var Anne Marie Mahon
Claire Goodwin
78 2006 SSNI Skerries East of Black Rock 060825/03 25-Aug-06 55 13.512N,
006 36.542W -18 -29 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs Bernard Picton
Jennifer Jones
79 2010 SSNI Skerries The Storks 100423/01 23-Apr-10 55 13.19N,
006 35.48W -12 -15.8 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
79 2010 SSNI Skerries The Storks 100423/01 23-Apr-10 55 13.19N,
006 35.48W -12 -15.8 IR.MIR.KR.LhypT.Pk Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
80 2010 SSNI Skerries The Storks 100423/02 23-Apr-10 55 13.16N,
006 35.43W -15 -19 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.Syn Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
75
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Site
Number Survey Name Event Name Marine
Recorder
Reference
Event
Date Start Poisiton Min
Depth
(m SL)
Max
Depth
(m SL) Biotope Code Surveyors
80 2010 SSNI Skerries The Storks 100423/02 23-Apr-10 55 13.16N,
006 35.43W -15 -19 CR.HCR.DpSp.var Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
80 2010 SSNI Skerries The Storks 100423/02 23-Apr-10 55 13.16N,
006 35.43W -15 -19 IR.MIR.KR.LhypT.Pk Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
81 2006 Seasearch
Skerries The Storks 1C 26-Aug-06 55 13.207N,
006 35.429W -3 -7 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft Graham Day
Julia Nunn
81 2006 Seasearch
Skerries The Storks 1B 26-Aug-06 55 13.207N,
006 35.429W -6 -20 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp David Goodwin
Heather Law
81 2006 Seasearch
Skerries The Storks 1B 26-Aug-06 55 13.207N,
006 35.429W -6 -20 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp David Goodwin
Heather Law
81 2006 Seasearch
Skerries The Storks 1A 26-Aug-06 55 13.207N,
006 35.429W -4 -20 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp Brian McIlroy
Sven Laming
81 2006 Seasearch
Skerries The Storks 1A 26-Aug-06 55 13.207N,
006 35.429W -4 -20 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Ft Brian McIlroy
Sven Laming
82 2010 SSNI Skerries The Storks 100607/01 07-Jun-10 55 13.228N,
006 39.268W -20 -23.7 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
83 2010 SSNI Skerries The Storks 100607/02 07-Jun-10 55 13.343N,
006 35.267W -23 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.X Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
84 2006 SSNI Skerries North of the Storks 060823/04 23-Aug-06 55 13.464N,
006 35.304W -20 -23 CR.HCR.DpSp.var Anne Marie Mahon
Claire Goodwin
84 2006 SSNI Skerries North of the Storks 060823/04 23-Aug-06 55 13.464N,
006 35.304W -20 -23 IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR Anne Marie Mahon
Claire Goodwin
85 2010 SSNI Skerries Reef north of the Storks 100610/03 10-Jun-10 55 13.511N,
006 35.121W -28.4 CR.HCR.XFa.ByErSp.DysAct Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
86 2010 SSNI Skerries North-east of the Storks 100610/02 10-Jun-10 55 13.557N,
006 35.045W -21 -24 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
87 2009 SSNI Skerries Dunluce Reef 090825/01 25-Aug-09 55 12.914N,
006 34.895W -14 -17 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp Hugh Edwards
Ronnie Snyder
88 2009 SSNI Skerries Dunluce Reef 090825/02 25-Aug-09 55 12.996N,
006 34.787W -18 -21.7 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
88 2009 SSNI Skerries Dunluce Reef 090825/02 25-Aug-09 55 12.996N,
006 34.787W -18 -21.7 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
89 2010 SSNI North
Coast East Dunluce Reef 100422/03 22-Apr-10 55 13.03N,
006 34.54W -15 -17.8 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Pk Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
89 2010 SSNI North
Coast East Dunluce Reef 100422/03 22-Apr-10 55 13.03N,
006 34.54W -15 -17.8 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
89 2010 SSNI North
Coast East Dunluce Reef 100422/04 22-Apr-10 55 13.03N,
006 34.54W -15 -19 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
90 2010 SSNI Skerries North of Bushmills Bay 100608/01 08-Jun-10 55 13.786N,
006 33.322W -22.5 -27.7 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs.SmAs Claire Goodwin
Ronnie Snyder
91 2010 SSNI North
Coast North of Bushmills Bay 100608/02 08-Jun-10 55 13.825N,
006 33.168W -27.5 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
Skerries and Causeway Survey
76
Site
Number Survey Name Event Name Marine
Recorder
Reference
Event
Date Start Poisiton Min
Depth
(m SL)
Max
Depth
(m SL) Biotope Code Surveyors
92 2010 SSNI North
Coast Off Runkerry Point 100414/04 14-Apr-10 55 13.98N,
006 32.09W -10 -15 IR.MIR.KR.Lhyp.Pk Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
93 2007 Seasearch North
Coast North-west of Giant’s
Causeway 7A- SD CG 14-Apr-07 55 14.174N,
006 31.720W -9 -16 CR.MCR.EcCr Claire Goodwin
Sharon Doake
93 2007 Seasearch North
Coast North-west of Giant’s
Causeway 7A- SD CG 14-Apr-07 55 14.174N,
006 31.720W -9 -16 IR.MIR.KR.LhypT.Pk Claire Goodwin
Sharon Doake
94 2010 SSNI North
Coast Causeway Bank 100610/04 10-Jun-10 55 14.992N,
006 31.554W SS.SCS.CCS
95 2010 SSNI North
Coast Offshore of Giant’s Causeway 100414/03 14-Apr-10 55 14.42N,
006 31.44W -21.5 -22.7 CR.HCR.XFa.FluCoAs Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
96 2010 SSNI North
Coast Offshore of Giant’s Causeway 100412/01 12-Apr-10 55 14.712N,
006 30.829W -21 -25 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp.PenPcom Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
97 2007 Seasearch North
Coast Offshore of Giant’s Causeway 2A - SD,
CG 14-Apr-07 55 14.640N,
006 30.647W -12 -13 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Pk Claire Goodwin
Sharon Doake
98 2007 Seasearch North
Coast Offshore of Giant’s Causeway DG, TB,
ED 14-Apr-07 55 14.646N,
006 30.647W -14 -17 KP Deirdre Greer
Elena Deligianni
Thorsten Brabetz
99 2010 SSNI North
Coast Bengore Head 100414/02 14-Apr-10 55 15.29N,
006 28.92W -25 -29 CR.MCR.EcCr.CarSp Bernard Picton
Hugh Edwards
100 2010 SSNI North
Coast Bengore Head 100414/01 14-Apr-10 55 15.22N,
006 28.03W -27.5 -28 CR.MCR.EcCr Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
101 2010 SSNI North
Coast East of Bengore Head 100412/02 12-Apr-10 55 14.661N,
006 27.436W -13 -14 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Ft Claire Goodwin
Joe Breen
102 2008 Seasearch
Carrick-a-Rede Carrick-a-Rede Island, West
Side NI8/081 07-Sep-08 55 14.598N,
006 20.012W -19 -22 IR.HIR.KFaR.FoR.Dic Adrian Marshall
Charmaine Blake
Claire Goodwin
102 2008 Seasearch
Carrick-a-Rede Carrick-a-Rede Island, West
Side NI8/080 07-Sep-08 55 14.598N,
006 20.012W -10 -25 MS Alasdair Kennedy
Jonathan Beattie
103 2007 Seasearch North
Coast Carrick-a-Rede Island, West
Side 6A -AK 30-Jun-07 55 14.435N,
006 19.907W -5 -20 KF Alasdair Kennedy
104 2007 Seasearch North
Coast Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge 3A - LB
GD 05-Aug-07 55 14.370N,
006 19.850W -6 -13.5 SS.SSa.IFiSa.IMoSa Graham Day
Lin Baldock
104 2007 Seasearch North
Coast Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge 3A - LB
GD 05-Aug-07 55 14.370N,
006 19.850W -6 -13.5 IR.HIR.KFaR.Ala Graham Day
Lin Baldock
104 2007 Seasearch North
Coast Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge 3A - LB
GD 05-Aug-07 55 14.370N,
006 19.850W -6 -13.5 IR.HIR.KFaR.LhypR.Ft Graham Day
Lin Baldock
104 2007 Seasearch North
Coast Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge 3B- PM SD 05-Aug-07 55 14.37N,
006 19.850W -12 -14.3 KF Paul McIlwaine
Sharon Doake
104 2007 Seasearch North
Coast Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge 3C -AK MP 05-Aug-07 55 14.370N,
006 19.850W -8 -11.2 KF Alasdair Kennedy
Mark Patton
105 2008 Seasearch
Carrick-a-Rede Caves East of Carrick-a-Rede
Rope Bridge NI8/082 07-Sep-08 55 14.273N,
006 19.795W -3 -5 IR.FIR.SG.CrSpAsAn Adrian Marshall
Charmaine Blake
Claire Goodwin
77
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Site
Number Survey Name Event Name Marine
Recorder
Reference
Event
Date Start Poisiton Min
Depth
(m SL)
Max
Depth
(m SL) Biotope Code Surveyors
105 2008 Seasearch
Carrick-a-Rede Caves East of Carrick-a-Rede
Rope Bridge NI8/082 07-Sep-08 55 14.273N,
006 19.795W -3 -5 IR.FIR.SG.FoSwCC Adrian Marshall
Charmaine Blake
Claire Goodwin
105 2008 Seasearch
Carrick-a-Rede Caves East of Carrick-a-Rede NI8/077 07-Sep-08 55 14.273N,
006 19.795W 0 -5 IR.FIR.SG.FoSwCC Alasdair Kennedy
Jonathan Beattie
105 2008 Seasearch
Carrick-a-Rede Caves East of Carrick-a-Rede NI8/077 07-Sep-08 55 14.273N,
006 19.795W 0 -5 IR.FIR.SG.CrSpAsAn Alasdair Kennedy
Jonathan Beattie
Skerries and Causeway Survey
78
Appendix 3. Species composition of biotopes.
Species names are largely in accordance with the current Marine Recorder species directory, therefore a few
are out of date. Species lists are those recorded at the sites assigned to this biotope and are not complete lists
for each biotope, particularly where few sites were assigned.
1. Infralittoral biotopes
Algal Dominated Biotopes
Biotope IR_HIR_KFaR_Ala_Ldig IR_HIR_KFaR_FoR IR_HIR_KFaR_FoR_Dic
No. of dives 1 4 2
Annelida-Polychaeta Pomatoceros triqueter Pomatoceros
Spirorbis
Arthropoda- Balanus Maja squinado
Balanus crenatus Cancer pagurus
Cancer pagurus Necora puber
Bryozoa- Membranipora membranacea Alcyonidium diaphanum Alcyonidium diaphanum
Crisia Crisia
Crisia denticulata Membranipora membranacea
Crisia eburnea Electra pilosa
Crisiidae Flustra foliacea
Pentapora foliacea Securiustra securifrons
Parasmittina trispinosa Cellaria
Turbicellepora avicularis
Eucratea loricata
Membranipora membranacea
Electra pilosa
Flustra foliacea
Securiustra securifrons
Cellaria
Cellaria sinuosa
Bugula
Bugula plumosa
Chordata-Ascidiacea Morchellium argus Lissoclinum perforatum Ascidia mentula
Clavelina lepadiformis Ascidiella aspersa Botryllus schlosseri
Aplidium punctum Ascidia mentula Morchellium argus
Polycarpa brosa Sidnyum turbinatum
Polycarpa pentarhiza Clavelina lepadiformis
Dendrodoa grossularia Aplidium punctum
Botryllus schlosseri
Morchellium argus
Clavelina lepadiformis
Aplidium punctum
Didemnidae
Chordata- Trisopterus luscus Taurulus bubalis
Trisopterus minutus Centrolabrus exoletus
Conger conger Crenilabrus melops
Ctenolabrus rupestris Ctenolabrus rupestris
Labrus bergylta Labrus bergylta
Labrus mixtus Gobiusculus avescens
Parablennius gattorugine Pomatoschistus minutus
Pholis gunnellus
Pollachius pollachius Pollachius pollachius
Cnidaria-Anthozoa Urticina felina Alcyonium digitatum Alcyonium digitatum
Sagartia elegans Epizoanthus couchii Urticina felina
79
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Biotope IR_HIR_KFaR_Ala_Ldig IR_HIR_KFaR_FoR IR_HIR_KFaR_FoR_Dic
Actinothoe sphyrodeta Urticina felina Sagartia elegans
Caryophyllia smithii Sagartia elegans Actinothoe sphyrodeta
Sagartia troglodytes Caryophyllia smithii
Actinothoe sphyrodeta
Caryophyllia smithii
Cnidaria-Hydrozoa Obelia geniculata Halecium halecinum Nemertesia antennina
Halecium muricatum Obelia geniculata
Nemertesia antennina
Nemertesia ramosa
Hydrallmania falcata
Sertularella polyzonias
Sertularella tenella
Sertularia argentea
Obelia geniculata
Echinodermata-
Asteroidea Henricia
Henricia oculata
Asterias rubens
Leptasterias
Marthasterias glacialis
Luidia ciliaris
Echinodermata-
Echinoidea Echinus esculentus Echinus esculentus Echinus esculentus
Echinodermata-
Holothuroidea Holothuria forskali
Aslia lefevrei
Echinodermata-
Ophiuroidea Ophiura albida
Mollusca-Bivalvia Mytilus edulis
Mollusca-Gastropoda Aplysia punctata Helcion pellucidum
Doto pinnatida Calliostoma zizyphinum
Goniodoris nodosa
Acanthodoris pilosa
Polycera faeroensis
Polycera quadrilineata
Cadlina laevis
Jorunna
Gibbula cineraria
Calliostoma zizyphinum
Simnia patula
Trivia arctica
Hinia incrassata
Porifera-Calcarea Leucosolenia Leucosolenia
Porifera-Demospongiae Suberites cus Pachymatisma johnstonia Suberites carnosus
Suberites carnosus Suberites cus
Polymastia boletiformis Myxilla incrustans
Cliona celata Dysidea fragilis
Axinella damicornis
Axinella infundibuliformis
Axinella dissimilis
Stelligera rigida
Stelligera stuposa
Raspailia hispida
Raspailia ramosa
Skerries and Causeway Survey
80
Biotope IR_HIR_KFaR_Ala_Ldig IR_HIR_KFaR_FoR IR_HIR_KFaR_FoR_Dic
Myxilla cf. rosacea
Iophon hyndmani
Styloptilon ancoratum
Haliclona oculata
Haliclona urceolus
Haliclona viscosa
Dysidea fragilis
Heterokontophyta- Desmarestia ligulata Dictyota dichotoma
Chorda lum Desmarestia ligulata
Laminaria digitata Saccharina latissima
Laminaria hyperborea
Alaria esculenta
Saccorhiza polyschides
Rhodophyta- Nitophyllum punctatum Phycodrys rubens Phycodrys rubens
Phycodrys rubens Erythroglossum laciniatum Heterosiphonia plumosa
Heterosiphonia plumosa Heterosiphonia plumosa Odonthalia dentata
Odonthalia dentata Brongniartella byssoides Polysiphonia
Polysiphonia Odonthalia dentata Palmaria palmata
Palmaria palmata Naccariaceae Dilsea carnosa
Callophyllis Dilsea carnosa Callophyllis
Plocamium cartilagineum Callophyllis laciniata Callophyllis laciniata
Rhodymenia pseudopalmata Kallymenia reniformis
Ceramium Meredithia microphylla
Ptilota gunneri Corallinaceae
Cryptopleura ramosa Plocamium cartilagineum
Delesseria sanguinea Calliblepharis ciliata
Drachiella spectabilis Rhodymenia holmesii
Hypoglossum hypoglossoides Rhodymenia pseudopalmata
Membranoptera alata Rhodymenia ardissonei
Acrosorium venulosum
Cryptopleura ramosa
Delesseria sanguinea
Hypoglossum hypoglossoides
Haraldiophyllum bonnemaisonii
Biotope IR_HIR_KFaR_
LhypR_Ft IR_HIR_KFaR_
LhypR_Pk IR_HIR_KSed_LsacChoR IR_HIR_KSed_XKScrR
No. of dives 2 3 1 1
Annelida-Polychaeta Pomatoceros Bispira volutacornis Pomatoceros triqueter
Spirorbis spirorbis
Arthropoda- Galathea Balanus crenatus Maja squinado Homarus gammarus
Cancer pagurus Paguridae Maja squinado
Necora puber Necora puber Cancer pagurus
Necora puber
Bryozoa- Alcyonidium diaphanum Alcyonidium diaphanum Membranipora membranacea
Crisia Crisia denticulata Flustra foliacea
Membranipora
membranacea Parasmittina trispinosa
Electra pilosa Cellepora
Bugula abellata Eucratea loricata
Electra pilosa
81
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Biotope IR_HIR_KFaR_
LhypR_Ft IR_HIR_KFaR_
LhypR_Pk IR_HIR_KSed_LsacChoR IR_HIR_KSed_XKScrR
Flustra foliacea
Securiustra securifrons
Cellaria stulosa
Bugula abellata
Chordata-Ascidiacea Lissoclinum perforatum Lissoclinum perforatum Clavelina lepadiformis Clavelina lepadiformis
Polycarpa Dendrodoa grossularia Scyliorhinus canicula
Botryllus schlosseri Botryllus schlosseri
Morchellium argus Botrylloides leachi
Clavelina lepadiformis Synoicum incrustatum
Aplidium nordmanni Morchellium argus
Aplidium punctum Sidnyum turbinatum
Didemnidae Clavelina lepadiformis
Aplidium punctum
Chordata- Gobiusculus avescens Ctenolabrus rupestris Centrolabrus exoletus Labrus bergylta
Scyliorhinus canicula Pollachius pollachius
Cnidaria-Anthozoa Alcyonium digitatum Alcyonium digitatum Actinia equina Alcyonium digitatum
Urticina felina Cerianthus lloydii Urticina felina Cerianthus lloydii
Sagartia elegans Urticina felina Sagartia elegans
Actinothoe sphyrodeta Sagartia elegans
Caryophyllia smithii Actinothoe sphyrodeta
Corynactis viridis
Caryophyllia smithii
Cnidaria-Hydrozoa Obelia geniculata Halecium halecinum Obelia Nemertesia antennina
Nemertesia antennina
Plumularia setacea
Diphasia rosacea
Sertularia argentea
Obelia geniculata
Echinodermata-
Asteroidea Henricia Crossaster papposus Asterias rubens
Asterias rubens Asterias rubens
Leptasterias muelleri
Marthasterias glacialis
Echinodermata-
Echinoidea Echinus esculentus Echinus esculentus Echinus esculentus
Echinodermata-
Holothuroidea Ocnus lacteus Holothuria forskali
Mollusca-Gastropoda Helcion pellucidum Tritonia hombergii Aplysia punctata Calliostoma zizyphinum
Gibbula cineraria Acanthodoris pilosa Patellidae
Calliostoma zizyphinum Diaphorodoris luteocincta Gibbula
Polycera faeroensis Buccinum undatum
Cadlina laevis
Flabellina pedata
Cuthona amoena
Gibbula cineraria
Calliostoma zizyphinum
Trivia
Trivia arctica
Ocenebra erinacea
Hinia incrassata
Porifera-Calcarea Leucosolenia complicata
Scypha ciliata
Porifera-Demospongiae Halichondria panicea Pachymatisma johnstonia Cliona Pachymatisma johnstonia
Tethya citrina Haliclona
Polymastia penicillus
Sphaerotylus
Cliona
Skerries and Causeway Survey
82
Biotope IR_HIR_KFaR_
LhypR_Ft IR_HIR_KFaR_
LhypR_Pk IR_HIR_KSed_LsacChoR IR_HIR_KSed_XKScrR
Axinella damicornis
Axinella infundibuliformis
Axinella dissimilis
Stelligera rigida
Stelligera stuposa
Raspailia hispida
Raspailia ramosa
Halichondria panicea
Myxilla incrustans
Hymedesmia paupertas
Hymedesmia jecusculum
Phorbas ctitius
Hemimycale columella
Haliclona oculata
Haliclona viscosa
Dysidea fragilis
Heterokontophyta- Dictyota dichotoma Laminaria hyperborea Chorda lum Desmarestia aculeata
Sporochnus pedunculatus Laminaria hyperborea Laminaria hyperborea
Desmarestia aculeata Saccharina latissima Saccharina latissima
Laminaria hyperborea Alaria esculenta
Saccharina latissima Enteromorpha
Saccorhiza polyschides
Alaria esculenta
Rhodophyta-
Nitophyllum punctatum Rhodophycota Corallina ofcinalis
Phycodrys rubens Odonthalia dentata
Heterosiphonia plumosa Dilsea carnosa
Brongniartella byssoides Plocamium cartilagineum
Odonthalia dentata Delesseria sanguinea
Palmaria palmata
Callophyllis laciniata
Meredithia microphylla
Phyllophora
pseudoceranoides
Plocamium cartilagineum
Calliblepharis ciliata
Halurus osculosus
Delesseria sanguinea
Membranoptera alata
Chlorophyta- Ulva
Biotope IR_MIR_KR_Lhyp_
Ft IR_MIR_KR_Lhyp_
Pk IR_MIR_KR_LhypT_Pk SS_SMp_KSwSS_LsacR
No. of dives 6 4 2 12
Annelida-Polychaeta Chaetopterus variopedatus
Arenicola marina
Lanice conchilega
Megalomma vesiculosum
Myxicola infundibulum
Arthropoda- Paguridae Balanus crenatus Galathea Paguridae
Galathea strigosa Homarus gammarus Galathea strigosa Pagurus bernhardus
Cancer pagurus Cancer pagurus Necora puber Pagurus prideaux
Necora puber Macropodia
Cancer pagurus
Liocarcinus depurator
Necora puber
Bryozoa- Crisia denticulata Alcyonidium diaphanum Alcyonidium diaphanum Alcyonidium diaphanum
Parasmittina trispinosa Crisiidae Flustra foliacea Vesicularia spinosa
Membranipora
membranacea Parasmittina trispinosa Securiustra securifrons Crisia
Electra pilosa Membranipora
membranacea Membranipora membranacea
83
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Biotope IR_MIR_KR_Lhyp_
Ft IR_MIR_KR_Lhyp_
Pk IR_MIR_KR_LhypT_Pk SS_SMp_KSwSS_LsacR
Flustra foliacea Electra pilosa Electra pilosa
Cellaria stulosa Flustra foliacea Flustra foliacea
Securiustra securifrons Securiustra securifrons
Bugula plumosa
Chordata-Ascidiacea Ascidia mentula Lissoclinum perforatum Ascidia mentula
Polyclinum aurantium Polycarpa pomaria Dendrodoa grossularia
Aplidium punctum Polycarpa scuba Synoicum incrustatum
Botryllus schlosseri Morchellium argus
Polyclinum aurantium Aplidium nordmanni
Synoicum incrustatum
Morchellium argus
Aplidium nordmanni
Aplidium punctum
Chordata- Gaidropsarus vulgaris Ctenolabrus rupestris Labrus bergylta Scyliorhinus canicula
Pollachius pollachius Labrus bergylta Pollachius pollachius Pollachius pollachius
Labrus bergylta Labrus mixtus Trisopterus luscus
Thorogobius ephippiatus Parablennius gattorugine Trisopterus minutus
Scyliorhinus canicula Thorogobius ephippiatus Entelurus aequoreus
Phrynorhombus
norvegicus Nerophis lumbriciformis
Trisopterus luscus Ctenolabrus rupestris
Labrus bergylta
Labrus mixtus
Ammodytes
Callionymus
Callionymus lyra
Callionymus reticulatus
Gobiusculus avescens
Pomatoschistus
Pomatoschistus minutus
Pleuronectes platessa
Raja clavata
Cnidaria-Anthozoa Metridium senile Alcyonium digitatum Alcyonium digitatum Cerianthus lloydii
Caryophyllia smithii Sagartia elegans Urticina felina Anemonia viridis
Caryophyllia inornata Actinothoe sphyrodeta Actinothoe sphyrodeta Urticina felina
Caryophyllia smithii Caryophyllia smithii Sagartia elegans
Sagartia troglodytes
Cereus pedunculatus
Actinothoe sphyrodeta
Adamsia carciniopados
Peachia cylindrica
Caryophyllia smithii
Cnidaria-Hydrozoa Nemertesia antennina Tubularia indivisa Halecium halecinum Aglaophenia pluma
Obelia geniculata Halecium halecinum Kirchenpaueria pinnata Nemertesia antennina
Nemertesia antennina Nemertesia antennina Obelia geniculata
Nemertesia ramosa Nemertesia ramosa
Diphasia rosacea
Sertularella gayi
Sertularella polyzonias
Sertularia argentea
Obelia geniculata
Cnidaria-Scyphozoa Cyanea capillata
Echinodermata-
Asteroidea Crossaster papposus Crossaster papposus Crossaster papposus Crossaster papposus
Henricia Henricia Henricia Henricia
Marthasterias glacialis Henricia oculata Asterias rubens Asterias rubens
Asterias rubens Leptasterias muelleri Leptasterias muelleri
Leptasterias muelleri Marthasterias glacialis Marthasterias glacialis
Skerries and Causeway Survey
84
Biotope IR_MIR_KR_Lhyp_
Ft IR_MIR_KR_Lhyp_
Pk IR_MIR_KR_LhypT_Pk SS_SMp_KSwSS_LsacR
Marthasterias glacialis
Echinodermata-
Echinoidea Echinus esculentus Echinus esculentus Echinus esculentus Echinus esculentus
Echinodermata-
Holothuroidea Holothuria forskali Thyone
Pawsonia saxicola Luidia ciliaris
Aslia lefevrei
Echinodermata-
Ophiuroidea Ophiura albida
Ophiura ophiura
Mollusca-Bivalvia Ensis
Arctica islandica
Chamelea gallina
Hiatella arctica
Mollusca-Gastropoda Helcion pellucidum Acanthodoris pilosa Acanthodoris pilosa Aplysia punctata
Gibbula cineraria Limacia clavigera Diaphorodoris luteocincta Ancula gibbosa
Calliostoma zizyphinum Cadlina laevis Calliostoma zizyphinum Limacia clavigera
Gibbula cineraria Ocenebra erinacea Polycera faeroensis
Calliostoma zizyphinum Polycera quadrilineata
Trivia arctica Facelina bostoniensis
Ocenebra erinacea Musculus costulatus
Buccinum undatum Musculus discors
Hinia reticulata Modiolarca tumida
Aequipecten opercularis
Pecten maximus
Jujubinus montagui
Gibbula cineraria
Calliostoma zizyphinum
Tricolia pullus
Lacuna parva
Rissoa lilacina
Rissoa interrupta
Onoba semicostata
Bittium reticulatum
Epitonium clathrus
Lamellaria latens
Polinices pulchellus
Colus gracilis
Hinia incrassata
Hinia reticulata
Porifera-Calcarea Clathrina
Porifera-Demospongiae Pachymatisma johnstonia Pachymatisma johnstonia Dercitus bucklandi Suberitidae
Polymastia boletiformis Tethya citrina Pachymatisma johnstonia
Polymastia penicillus Suberites cus Tethya citrina
Axinella infundibuliformis Polymastia boletiformis Polymastia penicillus
Aplysilla sulfurea Cliona celata Cliona celata
Halicnemia Axinella infundibuliformis
Stelligera rigida Stelligera rigida
Stelligera stuposa Stelligera stuposa
Raspailia hispida Raspailia hispida
Raspailia ramosa Myxilla incrustans
Halichondria bowerbanki Hemimycale columella
Halichondria panicea Haliclona cinerea
Amphilectus fucorum Haliclona viscosa
Myxilla incrustans Dysidea fragilis
Iophon hyndmani
Hymedesmia paupertas
Phorbas ctitius
85
Skerries and Causeway Survey
Biotope IR_MIR_KR_Lhyp_
Ft IR_MIR_KR_Lhyp_
Pk IR_MIR_KR_LhypT_Pk SS_SMp_KSwSS_LsacR
Microciona
Antho involvens
Haliclona viscosa
Dysidea fragilis
Heterokontophyta- Laminaria hyperborea Dictyota dichotoma Laminaria hyperborea Dictyota dichotoma
Saccharina latissima Desmarestia ligulata Sporochnus pedunculatus
Halidrys siliquosa Laminaria hyperborea Desmarestia aculeata
Halidrys siliquosa Arthrocladia villosa
Chorda lum
Laminaria hyperborea
Saccharina latissima
Saccorhiza polyschides
Halidrys siliquosa
Rhodophyta- Rhodophycota Nitophyllum punctatum Odonthalia dentata Rhodophycota
Heterosiphonia plumosa Phycodrys rubens Dilsea carnosa Heterosiphonia plumosa
Odonthalia dentata Erythroglossum
laciniatum Delesseria sanguinea Odonthalia dentata
Palmaria palmata Heterosiphonia plumosa Polysiphonia
Callophyllis laciniata Bonnemaisonia
asparagoides Scinaia
Corallinaceae Dilsea carnosa Palmaria palmata
Plocamium cartilagineum Callophyllis laciniata Dilsea carnosa
Delesseria sanguinea Kallymenia reniformis Callophyllis laciniata
Meredithia microphylla Gracilaria
Corallinaceae Gracilaria gracilis
Plocamium cartilagineum Polyides rotundus
Calliblepharis ciliata Plocamium cartilagineum
Rhodymenia holmesii Furcellaria lumbricalis
Rhodymenia
pseudopalmata Calliblepharis ciliata
Rhodymenia ardissonei Rhodymenia
Pterothamnion plumula Acrosorium venulosum
Acrosorium venulosum Apoglossum ruscifolium
Apoglossum ruscifolium Cryptopleura ramosa
Cryptopleura ramosa Delesseria sanguinea
Delesseria sanguinea
Haraldiophyllum
bonnemaisonii
Drachiella heterocarpa
Chlorophyta- Ulva
Magnoliophyta- Zostera marina
Surge Gully Biotopes
Biotope IR_FIR_SG_
CrSpAsAn IR_FIR_SG_
CrSpAsDenB IR_FIR_SG_
FoSwCC IR_HIR_KFaR_Ala
No. of dives 2 1 2 2
Annelida-Polychaeta Spirorbis spirorbis Pomatoceros
Arthropoda- Palaemon serratus Homarus gammarus Palaemon serratus Galathea
Homarus gammarus Galathea strigosa Homarus gammarus Maja squinado
Cancer pagurus Cancer pagurus Cancer pagurus
Necora puber Necora puber Necora puber
Bryozoa- Flustra foliacea Membranipora
membranacea Alcyonidium diaphanum
Skerries and Causeway Survey
86
Biotope IR_FIR_SG_
CrSpAsAn IR_FIR_SG_
CrSpAsDenB IR_FIR_SG_
FoSwCC IR_HIR_KFaR_Ala
Securiustra securifrons Electra pilosa Crisia
Scrupocellaria Bugula plumosa Membranipora membranacea
Bugula plumosa Electra pilosa
Bugula abellata
Chordata-Ascidiacea Lissoclinum perforatum Dendrodoa grossularia Botryllus schlosseri Polycarpa
Botryllus schlosseri Morchellium argus Clavelina lepadiformis Botryllus schlosseri
Morchellium argus