Cumbria Coast facts for kids
The Cumbria Coast is a special part of the sea off the coast of Cumbria, England. It's known as a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), which means it's a protected area. This zone was created in 2013 to help keep the ocean healthy and safe for marine life. It's one of several important MCZs found along the Cumbrian coastline.
This protected area stretches from the town of Whitehaven all the way down to the mouth of the Ravenglass Estuary. It also includes the sea near Sellafield, which is a large site that handles nuclear materials, and the waters off St Bees Head.
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Why is the Cumbria Coast MCZ Important?
This special zone helps to protect important underwater places and the animals that live there. It's like a nature reserve, but for the sea!
Amazing Animals of the MCZ
One of the cool creatures protected here is the honeycomb worm. These worms build amazing tube-like homes that look like honeycombs on the seabed. These structures create a habitat for many other small sea creatures.
Birds of St Bees Head
St Bees Head is a very important place for sea birds. There's even an RSPB reserve (a bird sanctuary) there. Many different types of seabirds come to St Bees Head to breed and raise their young. The MCZ helps protect the waters where these birds find their food.
Expanding the Protected Area
When the Cumbria Coast MCZ was first set up, some people worried it didn't cover enough of the areas where seabirds go to find food. Birds often fly far from their nests to hunt for fish and other prey. To make sure these birds were better protected, the MCZ was made bigger in 2019. This expansion helps to keep more of their feeding grounds safe.
