CCW Species Challenge Fund Report No. 03/01/04

2003

CCW SPECIES CHALLENGE FUND

MARINE PROJECTS

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey June − August 2003. by Chris Wood, Marine Conservation Society

CCW Grant No: SC7702

CCW SCF Report 03/01/04 h ko Wiiîi .o oU

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell survey 2003 Report II

II

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey

II June − August 2003

A report to the Countryside Council for Wales

by !1 Chris Wood

Ii II

MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIET Y

II

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey 2003 I I

Seasearch I Seasearch is a volunteer underwater survey project for recreational divers to record observations of marine habitats and the life they support. The information gathered is I used to increase our knowledge of the marine environment and contribute towards its I conservation. Seasearch is co−ordinated nationally by a Steering Group led by the Marine Conservation Society and including representatives from statutory conservation bodies (Countryside Council for Wales, English Nature and Scottish Natural Heritage), the Environment Agency, the Wildlife Trusts, the Marine Biological I Association (MarLIN), diver training organisations (PADI, SAA, BSAC and SSAC), Nautical Archaeological Society and independent marine life experts. Seasearch is I financially supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and many of the steering group members. Divers can participate in Seasearch training days with an introduction to I marine habitat and species identification and survey methods. Seasearch surveys are organised during the diving season and involve making underwater observations I and completing forms. For information: survey more I The objectives for the national Seasearch programme are to: • Gather information on UK seabed habitats and associated wildlife through I participation of SCUBA divers I • Provide standardised training to enable SCUBA divers to participate in Seasearch

• Ensure the quality of data gathered • Make available the data collected through Seasearch • Raise awareness of the diversity of UK marine life and its environment through participation of SCUBA divers and dissemination of information.

The Fan she|| Atrina fragilis The Fan shell Atrina fragilis, also known as Fan mussel, is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan Species. However, there are no records for A. fragilis on the Marine Nature I Conservation Review database and there is almost no information concerning the population status of A. fragilis within the UK. It has been suggested that the I populations of A. fragilis around the UK and Ireland have declined since the turn of the century due to the impacts of demersal fishing activities and, in some areas, sand I and gravel extraction. It is possible that direct removal by collectors may have contributed to the apparent decline. I I There are historic records of specimens from Carmarthen Bay and Milford Haven.

The Marine Conservation Society The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the UK Charity dedicated to the I protection of the marine environment and its wildlife. Since its formation in 1983, MCS has become a recognised authority on marine and coastal conservation and is I regularly consulted by Government for its views on a range of marine issues including fishing. MCS provides information and guidance on many aspects of marine I conservation and produces the annual Good Beach Guide, as well as promoting public participation in volunteer projects and surveys such as Adopt−a−Beach, I Seasearch and Basking Shark Watch. The MCS is the Lead Partner for the Atrina fragilis Species Action Plan.

The surveys reported here were carried out by members of the MCS as a part of the I MCS Member's Dives Programme. I Marine Conservation Society, Unit 3, Wolf Business Park, Alton Road, Ross−on−Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5NB. Tel: 01989 566017, Website www.mcsuk.org I I

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey 2003 an W R Table of Contents an Synopsis Introduction 5 8 1.1 The Fan shell, Atrina fragilis 5 1.2 The Study Areas 6

R Methods 6 2.1 Participants 6 2.2 Organising and Undertaking Seasearch Dives 7 2.3 Data analysis and Quality Control 7

3 Results 9 3.1 Site 1: Carmarthen Bay, Atrina fragilis record site 9 3.2 Site 2: Woolhouse Rocks, Tenby 10 i 3.3 Site 3: Man of War Roads and Spaniel Shoal 11 3.4 Site 4: The Yowan, Tenby 12 3.5 Site 5: Stack Rock, Milford Haven 14 3.6 Site 6: Chapel Bay, Milford Haven 17 3.7 Site 7: South of Sheep Island 18 3.8 Site 8: South Haven, Skomer 19

4 Discussion 21 4.1 The occurrence of Atrina fragilis 21 4.2 Observation and feature of interest from Seasearch records 22 8 5 References 25 i 6 Acknowledgements 25

IN Appendix 1 Dive positions and details 26 Appendix 2 Species List 29 n Appendix 3 Recording forms 39 am Cover Photographs Top Left Common mussels at Woolhouse Rocks, Tenby (photo Chris Wood) Top right Horseshoe worm, Phoronis hippocrepia, (Photo Jon Moore) in Mid left Angular Crab Goneplax rhomboides, Stack Rock, Milford Haven n (photo Chris Wood Mid right Burrowing anemone Mesacmaea mitchellii, Skomer (Photo Chris ND Wood) Bottom left Nudibranchs, Doto pinnatifida on the Sea beard Nemertesia antennia (photo Jon Moore) Bottom right Cephalopod eggs on a razor shell, Carmarthen Bay (photo Jon Moore)

Chart extracts throughout this report are reproduced from Admiralty Charts 1482, 2878 & 3274 by permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office and the UK Hydrographic Office (www.ukho gov uk). They are not to be used for navigation am South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey 2003 nn Be m Synopsis Re This report summarises the findings of Seasearch survey dives carried out by volunteer recorders from the Marine Conservation Society in Carmarthen Bay, Milford Haven and NI South Haven, Skomer during June and August 2003. BB The prime purpose of the survey was to look at sites where the fan shell Atrina fragilis n had been recorded in the past and to try to identify the current status of the species in Wales. Atrina is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species and the surveys were partially m funded by the Countryside Council of Wales' Species Challenge Fund. Ri Suitable sediment habitats for the species were found in all three areas but no living specimens were recorded. The only record of the species was of a single shell found Rn amongst shell debris in Milford Haven. The shell appeared to be recent and it is possible that fan shells do still occur in Milford Haven. If so they are likely to be in soft sediments E close to or within the shipping channel. W The Seasearch surveys enabled records to be made of a number of sites in Carmarthen Bay for which there are no previous MNCR records. The sediment sites were very varied RN with some quite rich in fauna, including bivalve molluscs, whilst others were relatively barren. The rocky habitats in Carmarthen Bay were all of low−lying limestone and were n characterised by the large numbers of edible mussels and hydroids, with associated life.

Both Milford Haven and South Haven, Skomer are sites which have been visited before. n However a number of the records are quite old and some of the sites were new. In Milford Haven sediment habitats predominated though these were much more varied m than those in Carmarthen Bay. an Rocky sites just outside Milford Haven south of Sheep Island and the rocky margins at South Haven, Skomer were also investigated. These sites provided a number of records BI of nationally scarce species, though none of them are new to the area as a whole. Bm m Bi n u B IN n in RB Reference: Wood. C, (2003). South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey; June− August 2003. A report to the Countryside Council for Wales. Marine Conservation Bm Society, Unit 3, Wolf Business Park, Alton Road, Ross−on−Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 5NB. n m

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey 2003 n im E 1 Introduction

This report summarises the findings of Seasearch survey dives carried out in Carmarthen InN Bay, Milford Haven and South Haven Skomer during June and August 2003. n 1.1 The Fan Shell, Atrina fragilis E This large mollusc is a Nationally Scarce species in the UK, is listed for Protection in the aN Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan Species. The Action Plan for Atrina fragilis (JNCC/UK Biodiversity Website) identifies the lack of information about the current population status of the species as follows:

"There is almost no information concerning the population status of A. fragilis within the UK. "

R The Marine Conservation Society has instigated a national awareness exercise targeting both divers and boat users in an attempt to identify locations where fan shells are currently found. As a part of this activity specific surveys have been organised in locations where there are previous records. These are The Oberon Bank, W Scotland, the current surveys in South Wales and Plyrnouth Sound.

E Information on past records of Atrina fragilis in Wales has been obtained from Moore (2002). This identifies two records in south Wales, from Carmarthen Bay in 1899 and from Stack Rock, Milford Haven in 1960. In addition to this the awareness raising exercise gave rise to an unconfirmed sighting of the fan shell in South Haven, Skomer, approximately 20 years ago (Francis Bunker, pers. Comm.). i The survey therefore concentrated on these three areas. i 1.2 The Study Areas n Carmarthen Bay is a wide open south−facing bay bounded by Caldey Island and Tenby in the west and the Gower Peninsular in the east. The seabed in the bay is largely soft sediments. The survey sites chosen were at the western end of the bay and were i accessed from Saundersfoot Harbour. They included the location given for the 1899 record of Atrina fragilis by Moore, though it seems likely that this was no more than a i general location. The other sites were across mixed soft sediment and rocky seabeds as we thought that if fishing activities had led to a decline in the species, the remaining 9 populations might be in soft sediments at the edge of rocky areas where mobile fishing gear would not have reached. B There was evidence of recreational angling at Woolhouse Rocks and fishing net debris BD was seen at The Yowan. No potting activity was observed and no commercial fishing using mobile W gear. There are no previous MNCR records from any of the sites surveyed in Carmarthen Bay. No records exist for the sediments in Carmarthen Bay and the only site included in the database is a littoral record from Monkstone Rocks, Tenby. i Milford Haven is an extensive ria, or drowned valley, with generally sheltered conditions and soft sediment sea bed. It is subject to a high level of human activity being an important oil port with a number of refineries, a sea port with services to Ireland and a fishing port. There are also substantial recreational activities with a number of marinas.

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey 2003 5 m

n Stack Rock, the location of the Atrina fragilis record in 1960 (Moore, 2002) is on the north side of the haven about 4km to the west of Milford Haven town and close to the Esso refinery and tanker jetty. The main shipping channel is about 300m to the south of Stack Rock and to the north is an extensive shallow bay. Stack Rock itself is surmounted by a m stone fortification which appears to be unused. m Milford Haven is much better known in terms of sub littoral habitats and species than Carmarthen Bay. The MNCR database has 5 records from the immediate surrounds of W Stack Rock. These are two dredged samples dating from 1899 and 1995 and three diver records from 1978 and 1985. All of these were made by Dale Rostron who also took part m in this survey. None of these 5 records record the presence of Atrina fragilis. South Haven, Skomer is a south facing bay on the south side of Skomer Island. The m inner parts of the bay are protected from all but south−easterly winds and swell. The sites surveyed are within the statutory Skomer Marine Nature Reserve.

There are a number of MNCR records from South Haven but these all date from 1982 and 1984. They do not include any records of Atrina fragilis though most concentrated on the rocky margins of the Haven rather than the sediment seabeds in the centre.

Whilst any fan shells populations in this location would not be damaged by fishing activities, South Haven is used as an anchorage and there would be the potential for damage occurring.

The sites in Milford Haven and at Skomer are within the Pembrokeshire Marine candidate Special Area of Conservation.

2 Methods

2.1 Participants The participants in the survey included divers with a variety of experience in Seasearch i surveying, including a number of tutors. There were three different groups who looked at different sites. m Carmarthen Bay Chris Wood Seasearch National Co−ordinator and Seasearch Tutor m James Perrins Experienced MNCR recorder Jon Moore Experienced MNCR Recorder Tim Theobalds Seasearch Recorder m Lou Luddington Skomer Marine Nature Reserve staff Dale Rostron Experienced MNCR recorder

The Carmarthen Bay sites were dived on 14th and 15th June. Milford Haven m Chris Wood Seasearch National Co−ordinator and Seasearch Tutor Kirsten Ramsay Seasearch Tutor and experienced Seasearch Recorder Rohan Holt Seasearch Tutor and experienced Seasearch Recorder James Perrins Experienced MNCR recorder Dale Rostron Experienced MNCR recorder Darren Murray Seasearch recorder Samantha Cook Seasearch recorder Christine Webb Seasearch recorder m

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey 2003 6 IN In W Dominic Smith Dive buddy 9th, n These sites were dived on 10th and 22nd August 8 South Haven, Skomer Chris Wood Seasearch National Co−ordinator and Seasearch Tutor m Chris Pirie Experienced Seasearch recorder Vicki Billings Experienced Seasearch recorder i Tim Theobalds Seasearch Recorder Angela Read Dive buddy R Dominic Smith Dive buddy

NI This site was dived on 23rd August n On the spot training and guidance was given on the completion of survey forms where IN required. 2.2 Organising and Undertaking Seasearch Dives

i All of the dive sites were accessed by boat. For the Carmarthen Bay and Milford Haven sites we used a Rigid Inflatable boat owned by James Perrins who also took part in the n surveys. At South Haven we used a commercial RIB provided by Dive Pembrokeshire. Divers worked in pairs with each pair being designated a part of the site to avoid overlap of records. Generally experienced surveyors were buddied with less experienced ones

Information was recorded underwater using a slate and pencil. Seasearch Survey Forms were completed for all sites except for one dive in Milford Haven when an Observer form was completed instead. The main procedures for Seasearch Survey recording are as follows:

nl • The divers divide their site into major habitats such as kelp forest, kelp park, gravel and pebbles, etc. W • A description of each habitat is recorded together with depth limits and at list of species and their abundance made for each habitat. n • Positions of each dive are fixed by GPS and dive times recorded by personnel in the boats. Standard safety procedures are followed and each pair have at least i one dive computer to record decompression information as well as temperature and depth data. lid • Following the dive, forms are filled in with the information gathered and participants are encouraged to draw sketches to depict the main features of the seabed. Ha • Recorded depths have subsequently been adjusted to chart datum using a tidal corrections programme. aD In addition to these normal Seasearch survey procedures a specific briefing was given on n the Fan shell Atrina fragilis. Procedures for measuring and recording the location of any live specimens but in the event these were not required. i 2.3 Data analysis and Quality Control i i Where possible experienced surveyors were paired with those with more limited expertise. This provides a good level of accuracy with both habitat descriptions and species names. No live specimens were collected and all flora and fauna was identified n and recorded underwater. Some life cannot be reliably identified to species in situ and n smaller species, including infauna and crevice dwellers are generally under recorded.

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey 2003 7 an Hi W Identification guides were available on site to help with the writing up of forms and guidance on naming species was provided by the experienced surveyors.

Forms were completed the same day and checked whilst fresh in people's minds. n

Species names follow the nomenclature of the MCS species directory; Howson and Nn Picton,1997). Common names are also included in this report where they exist, to aid accessibility. Nn gg The data on the recording forms has been subsequently validated and verified and has been entered into the Marine Recorder database by the author. U n

B DR

St Bride's II Bay B Skomer

Carma~hen Bay DO HD

i UP m Figure 1: Location of survey areas

n

i

n

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey 2003 in n 3 Results i A location map and summary description of each site dived is included in this section and representative sketches drawn by divers have been included. The sites have been II arranged in three groups:

1 Carmarthen Bay (4 sites) 2 Milford Haven (3 sites) 3 South Haven, Skomer (1 site)

Positions of the dive sites are shown in Appendix 1 and species lists for each site are i given in Appendix 2. The original 'raw' data sheets are held by the Marine Conservation Society. i

Atrina i 3.1 Site 1: Carmarthen Bay − fragilis record site Surveyed 14/06/03 by Jon Moore, Tim Theobalds, Lou Luddington, Chris Wood & James at Perrins 3 Survey Forms completed i Two different areas of seabed were surveyed in the i location given by Moore (2002) for the 1899 Atrina fragilis record. The divers swam slowly in a predetermined direction with the very gentle current and thus covered a substantial area of seabed between them. The sea bed was similar in each case and the three records are therefore combined for the T~ purposes of this report. I Physical Environment all The seabed consisted of flat fine sand at a depth of Figure 2: Location of Atrina iN 9m bcd. There were irregular current ripples in the record site dives B sand which were 15−20cm apart.

Figure 3: Left Astropecten irregularis. Right siphons of burrowing bivalve, partly closed Sagartiogeton undatus and arms of brittlestar Ophiura sp. (Photos by Jon Moore)

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 9 I! E

Habitat / Community Types i The fine sand supported abundant marine life, much of it buried within it. Surface life included starfish Astropecten irregularis, brittle stars Ophiura ophiura and O. albida, Ig molluscs such as the common whelk Buccinum undatum, reticulated dog whelk Hinia reticulata and small flatfish and gobies. Animals wholly or partly submerged included the an brittlestar Amphiura filiformis, the moon or necklace shell Euspira catena, the burrowing crab Corystes cassivelaunus, and the anemone Sagartiogeton undatus. There were also i bivalve molluscs wholly buried on the sand but whose siphons or empty shells could be seen on the surface. These included razor shells Ensis sp., gapers Mya sp. and venus shells Venus sp. Where there were empty shells on the surface these often had a long bushy hydroid Obelia longissima attached to them. E

Observations / Features of Interest i

The sandy sediment here supported a wide range of life including a significant number of HD bivalve molluscs living within it. Thirty six species of animal were recorded. The site appeared to be a suitable habitat for Atrina fragilis, but no living shells or shell debris BD were recorded. R OR 3.7 Site 2: Woolhouse Rocks, Tenby IS 85 BD Surveyed 14/06/03 by Jon Moore, Tim Theobalds, Lou Luddington, Chris Wood & James Perrins gB Woolhouse Rocks( 0 3 Survey Forms completed ",

Again the divers covered three different areas in iD the vicinity of Woolhouse Rocks (see Figure 4 & positions in Appendix 1). This was also a drift dive E and was planned to cover both the rocky reef and the sediments around it. HD Physical Environment He

Woolhouse Rocks is a ridge of rocky running north− iD south and is situated approximately 2km east of Tenby. The rocks reach the surface at low water Ha Figure 4: Location of dive sites and our dives covered the north−western side, the southern side and the eastern side respectively. at Woolhouse Rocks ii

The rocks consisted of limestone ridges and troughs in the southern part and limestone HD steps on the western side. The lower parts were flatter and obviously sand scored. The maximum depth of rock was 3.5m bcd. The surrounding sediment to the west close to Nil the rocks consisted of cobbles, muddy sand and shell fragments with occasional small an boulders. To the south and the east it was rippled fine sand with pieces of broken shell.

Habitat / Community Types I Hi The fine sand habitat supported burrowing bivalves, brittlestars and a nurnber of the other species recorded at the Atrina record site Site1. However numbers were not so 8 great as at that site. I II

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 10 W i m The more varied sediment just west of the rocks was more stable and the cobble and small boulders here supported large numbers of common mussels Mytilus edulis (see m cover photo top left) and sea squirts Molgula manhattensis. Hydroids Obelia longissima and Sertularia argentea were also abundant with the anemone Sagartia troglodytes, m barnacles and hermit crabs recorded as common. m The lower areas of bedrock where sand scouring occurs were dominated by hydroids, Sertularia argentea, A bietinaria abietina, Halecium halecinum, Hydrallmania falcata and m Obelia longissima. Higher up the rocky surfaces were dominated by common mussels Mytilus edulis and sea squirts Molgula manhattensis. Hydroids were also common, m including the large sea beard Nemertesia antennina. These were being grazed by 5 nudibranchs, Doto sp. (see cover bottom left) and other mobile fauna included spiny spider crabs Maja squinado (common), common starfish Asterias rubens (common) and m hermit crabs Pagurus bernhardus (occasional). A single common octopus Octopus vulgaris, was recorded. n m m m m m m

Figure 5: Species at Woolhouse Rocks. Left: Common octopus Octopus vulgaris, Right: common starfish Asterias rubens amongst mussels and hydroids. Photos by Chris Wood.

Observations / Features of Interest

The soft sediments here also appeared to be suitable for Atrina fragilis, but none were recorded. The rocky reef is clearly affected both by sand scour at its lower parts and by m tidal currents higher up. This supports a dense population of mussels and associated mobile life, such starfish m as crabs, and octopus. m 3.7 Site 3: Man of War Roads and Spaniel Shoal Surveyed 15/06/03 by Jon Moore, Tim m Theobalds, Dale Rostron, Chris Wood & James Perrins. m 3 Survey Forms completed m Two pairs of divers were placed in a moderate m current to look at areas of sediment seabed adjacent to Spaniel Shoal. The third pair looked m at a deeper sediment sea bed to the east, also in moderate m a current. Figure 6: Location of dive sites in m Man of War Roads m

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 11 I W

Physical Environment I The sediment seabed adjacent to Spaniel Shoal comprised of mobile flat fine sand with I some broken shells on the surface at a depth of between 14 and 16m bcd. The edge of Spaniel Shoal was low lying sand scoured bedrock with little vertical development. The shallowest depth achieved on the rock was 11m bcd. The deeper site to the east was of mobile fine sand with ripples and larger waves about 3m apart. There were occasional I pieces of soft grey clay visible between the ripples. Depth was 19−22m bcd. I I I I .c ,._ I t,~.j l.. .I< LA";Á I [ t

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Figure 7: Cross section through edge of Spaniel Shoal (from sketch on Survey Form by Tim Theobalds) I

Habitat / Community Types

The mobile flat sand had little conspicuous life except for hermit crabs and strings of I seed mussels. The deeper site to the east was particularly barren. W The low−lying tide swept bedrock was dominated by mussels with relatively little else. Other common species were barnacles, spiny spider crab Maja squinado, hermit crabs W and common starfish Asterias rubens.

3.7 Site 4: The Yowan, Tenby I Surveyed 15/06/03 by Jon Moore, Tim Theobalds, Dale Rostron, Chris Wood & James I Perrins. 2 Survey Forms completed I I I

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey. June−August 2003 12 I I Physical Environment

The Yowan is an isolated limestone outcrop 4km 9 n east of Tenby. Unlike Woolhouse Rocks it does FI. Y 2 5s m not break surface and the minimum depth we recorded was 3m bcd. It appears to be a roughly circular rock outcrop with a maximum height of 4m above the surrounding sandy plain. The rock was broken up by a number of gullies up to 1m m deep, which provide vertical and some overhanging surfaces on their sides. The gullies did not appear to have any consistent orientation. The gully bottoms consisted of a fine silty sand and had collected litter, particularly the some Figure 8: Location of The Yowan m remains of a fishing net. The surrounding flat sand seabed had a depth of 7m bcd. m m n m m m n W m m m Figure 9: Sketch of The Yowan (from sketch Survey Form by Dale Rostron) m on Habitat / m Community Types The flat fine sand seabed surrounding The Yowan contained a number of burrowing m bivalves including razor shells Ensis sp. and otter shells Lutraria lutraria. There were also brittlestars sand mason worms and a number of crabs visible on the surface. Shell debris had the long bushy hydroid Sertularia argentea attached to it. m As at Woolhouse Rocks the lower bedrock was sand scoured and dominated by hydroids, mainly Sertularia argentea, Abietinaria abietina, and Obelia longissima. The m variety of attached life increased as you moved up the slope away from the sand. m

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 13 m

The upper rocky areas were dominated by common mussels Mytilus edulis, hydroids, Sertularia argentea and Nemertesia antennina and sea squirts Molgula manhattensis. There was a wide range of other attached life including branching sponges such as Haliclona oculata (frequent), five types of anemones (all occasional), Dead men's fingers m (occasional) and barnacles (frequent). Mobile life was varied with a variety of crabs, of which the spiny spider crab Maja squinado and hermit crabs Pagurus bernhardus were m the most common. Nudibranchs were commonly seen on the hydroids, Eubranchus tricolor (common), Doto pinnatifida (common) see cover bottom left, Jano/us cristatus (rare) and Aeolidia papillosa (rare). Common starfish Asterias rubens, were abundant, largely because of the availability of mussels. A single common octopus Octopus vulgaris was also seen. m The gully walls supported crabs, both edible and velvet swimming and a number of m lobsters. One lobster, seen in the open, was unusually large. The gullies also had the most fishes. These included a conger eel Conger conger, a topknot Zeugopterus m punctatus and a number of bib and poor cod. m m

m m W m m Figure 10: left − mussels and Nemertesia antennina with nudibranchs (photo: Chris Wood) − right large lobster in gully (photo: Jon Moore) m Observations / Features of Interest

The habitat and mussel/hydroid/sea squirt communities found at The Yowan were very m similar to those at Woolhouse Rocks. As a consequence of the presence of gullies and vertical and overhanging surfaces The Yowan supported more fish and crustaceans than Woodhouse Rocks but the more extensive area of the latter produced a slightly greater range of species overall with 62 animal species compared with 58 at The Yowan. The rocky areas of Spaniel Shoal also had a mussel and hydroid dominated community but appeared to have much less diversity of animal life than either of these two sites. m 3.7 Site 5: Stack Rock, Milford Haven m

Surveyed 9/08/03 by Kirsten Ramsay, Rohan Holt, Dale Rostron, Chris Wood & James m Perrins. Surveyed 10/08/03 by Kirsten Ramsay, Rohan Holt and Chris Wood. m Surveyed 23/08/03 by Darren Murray, Sam Cook, Chris Webb, James Perrins, Chris Wood & Dominic Smith. m 7 Survey Forms and 2 Observation Forms completed m 9 dives were undertaken in the general area of Stack Rock. The locations are shown on the chart in Figure 11 and the GPS positions are in Appendix 1. m m

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 14 m m Physical Environment

Stack Rock is on the north side of Milford Haven some 3km west of Milford Haven town and immediately west of the Esso oil refinery. The rock is exposed at all states of the tide and is approximately 100m long. It is covered by an 18th century fortification, which was not in any use at the time of the survey. Beneath the water the rock extends about 50m both to the east and west and the seabed then becomes flat sediment at a depth of 5−8m bcd. To the south of the rock the seabed slopes m gently towards the shipping channel though the centre of the haven. The edge of the channel is marked by the Esso terminal jetty about 700m to the m south−west of Stack Rock To the north there is a channel about 500m wide Figure 11: Location of dives around Stack between Stack Rock and South Hook Rock Point where there is a flat sediment m seabed at 7−8m bcd. m There was an anomaly in the positions of the sites in Sandy Haven Bay, north of Stack Rock. The pink positions in Figure 11 are recorded positions, those in red have been m relocated relative to the Montreal Rock buoy and are believed to be the correct positions. n Habitat / Community Types

Adjacent to Stack Rock itself the sea bed consisted of a mixture of bedrock and boulders. The upper rock surfaces were covered in an algal turf, mainly Heterosiphonia pluma and Calliblepharis ciliata, with a few furbelows Saccorhiza polyscides on the shallowest m areas. Moving further away from the rock on the east and west sides were smaller boulders interspersed with cobble, gravel and muddy sand with algal turf on the boulders. m Below 5.5m bcd there were no boulders and the seabed consisted of a variety of sediments ranging from mixed cobbles and gravel to muddy fine sand. The softer m sediments had numerous burrows and tubes, notably the sand mason worm Lanice conchilega and the fan worm Branchiomma bombyx. Also within the sediment were m bivalves such as Ensis sp., Arctica islandica and the king scallop Pecten maximus and brittlestars Amphiura sp. Burrows of the angular crab Goneplax rhomboides (see cover m mid left) were also commonly seen.

North of Stack Rock all of the dives took place on flat sediment at a depth of 6−8m bcd. The composition of the sediment varied but was patchy without any clear zoning of m different types. Different habitats recorded were: • Flat fine firm sand densely covered in sand mason worms Lanice conchilega. • Maerl in waves with crests about 10cm high and 1m apart with the ridges running NW−SW, perpendicular to any wave action from the entrance to the haven. The troughs were either filled by shell debris or exposed as muddy gravel. The maerl m was a mixture of living and maerl debris. Animals commonly recorded in this habitat were the daisy anemone Cereus pedunculatus and the burrowing [] anemone Cerianthus lloydii, tube worms such as Lanice conchilega,

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 15 m

Branchiomma bombyx and Myxicola infundibulum and mobile animals such as hermit crabs, swimming crabs, prawns and gobies. • Mixed cobbles shell debris, pebbles and mud. Animals associated with this habitat included daisy anemones, swimming crabs, small spider crabs, angular crabs and common starfish. • Mixed pebbles and fine sand. Sand mason worms were common in this habitat too, but bryozoans were also common, principally Bugula plumosa and Alcyonidium diaphanum, • Small boulders on sand and gravel. The boulders had a red algal turf but horseshoe worms Phoronis hippocrepia, sulphur sponge Suberites carnosus and bryozoans also occurred. m

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Figure 12: Habitat sketches from Stack Rock from Survey forms − top: immediately east of Stack Rock (Rohan Holt), middle: south of Stack Rock (Dale Rostron), bottom: between Stack Rock and South Hook Point (Chris Wood). n

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey. June−August 2003 16 m m m Observations / Features of Interest

A total of 117 animals and 17 algae were recorded from the dives around Stack Rock. As almost all of the dives were on sediment seabeds this demonstrates the relatively rich sediments which occur in the area in that twice as many animals were recorded than on any of the Carmarthen Bay sites and four times as many as on the sediment sites there. However almost all of the species seen are widespread in occurrence and there are few surprising records. One species is nationally rare, the nudibranch Thecacera pennigera m which was seen on one dive in boulder habitat in shallow water adjacent to the rock itself.

In most of the habitats north of Stack Rock there was a considerable amount of shell debris, much of which was of bivalves such as oysters, venus shells, Icelandic cyprine and scallops. On one dive a single valve of Atrina fragilis was seen and collected. It was a small specimen only 9cm in length and relatively un−encrusted by other marine life. The location of the shell is shown in Figure 11. m n n m

Figure 13: Atrina fragilis shell from shell debris near Stack Rock (Photos: Chris Wood)

3.06 Site 6: Chapel Bay, Milford Haven Surveyed 10/08/03 by Kirsten Ramsay and Rohan Holt. m 1 Survey Form completed m Physical Environment m The site was selected for survey as it is on the south side of Milford Haven immediately opposite Stack Rock. It was dived as a drift dive at the same depth as the sites around Stack Rock. Figure 14: Location of Chapel Habitat / Community Types Bay (Site 6) The seabed consisted on medium/fine sand with some shell and occasional cobbles. Many unidentified fine worm tubes were visible in the sediment. m m

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 17 m

[]

m m m Figure 15: Sketch of seabed at Chapel Bay (from sketch on Survey Form by Rohan Holt)

Observations / Features of Interest There was a much smaller range of species present than at Stack Rock. m 3.7 Site 7: Parsonquarry Bay, south−east of Sheep Island Surveyed 9/08/03 by Kirsten Ramsay and Rohan Holt. i 1 Survey Form completed s a es

This site is outside Milford Haven on the exposed open south−westerly facing coast south of the haven entrance. It was selected m for survey not because there was any likelihood of finding Atrina fragilis, but because adverse tidal streams prevented diving within the haven and the coast to the south has been little studied. The only previous sites surveyed (in 1978) were Sheep Island itself and Pickard Bay (close inshore). This site is between the two 1978 sites and further offshore than Pickard Bay. Figure 16: Location of Site 7 − South of Sheep Island Physical Environment

The site comprised of high rocky ridges, generally running parallel with the shoreline, and large boulders with patches of mud/silt between them. Depth ranged from 8 to 22m bcd. Individual rock faces were up to 6m high. Underwater visibility was relatively poor and there was a considerable amount of fine silt on the rocky surfaces.

Habitat / Community Types

From 8−10m bcd the dominant cover was kelp park, both Laminaria hyperborea and Saccorhiza polyscides, with red algal turf between the kelp plants. From 10−16m bcd there was a dense faunal turf. Neither of these habitats was surveyed in detail.

Between 16 and 22m bcd the rocks were dominated by a faunal turf of bryozoans, particularly Scrupocellaria and Bugula plumosa, with barnacles and Devonshire cup corals, Caryophyllia smithii.

Observations / Features of Interest The site exhibited a wide range of sponge fauna (12 species recorded). These included m the nationally scarce species Thymosia guernei which was recorded as occasional. Other species of interest were patches of yellow cluster sponge Parazoanthus axinellae, also a nationally scarce species (occasional), and five small crawfish Palinurus elephas,

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 18 a Biodiversity Action Plan species. All of these species also occur within the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve. A single grey seal Halichoerus grypus was also seen. m 3.7 Site 8: South Haven, Skomer Surveyed 23/08/03 by Vicki Billings, Angela m Read, Tim Theobalds, Dominic Smith, Chris Pirie, Chris Wood, Alison Bessell & m Christine Harling. 4 Survey Forms completed 4 pairs of divers surveyed different parts of m South Haven The locations are shown on the chart in Figure 17 and the GPS m positions are in Appendix 1. Mar it m Physical Environment R e m South Haven is a rocky bay on the south side of Skomer Island, which faces south− Figure 17: Location of dives in South m west at its shallowest end and south at the Haven, Skomer entrance. It is protected from some of the prevailing south−westerly wave action and swell by the Mew Stone at its south−west n point. The bay has rocky sides and soft sediment seabed in the centre. The site was surveyed because of the report of Atrina fragilis from a diver some years ago. Thus the n prime focus of our surveys was the sediment seabed though the fringing rocky areas were also visited. The depth of the sediment seabed ranged from 5m bcd near the back m of the bay and 15m bcd nearer its entrance. m

.− /~'−/−#− m > SowM b~.~as ~"c'k m L~'~− ,~−'I'b s, m 76 y J'f~"? 'l < to mm I( t/ mm Figure 18: Cross section across the shallower section of South Haven (from sketch on m Survey Form by Vicki Billings) m Figures 18 and 19 show two cross sections•Figure 18 from the northern, shallower, end of the bay and Figure 19 from the north−western side nearer the entrance. In Figure 18 the sketch shows large boulders on both sides of the bay with flat sand in the centre at a m depth of 5.5−6.5m bcd.

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 19 W i

Figure 19 shows a steeply sloping rock face from the surface with boulders at the base of this cliff. i 4" A similar profile ([) −− =, II occurred at the two / other dives on south− / II west side of the bay. ,/ The seabed then / became fine muddy sand with very large bedrock outcrops or boulders up to 6m high. Finally the centre of the bay at this point was an Ill extensive area of muddy sand. The other two dives encountered a similar expanse of fine sand and mud in the centre of the bay I but it appeared to be more firm on the south− Figure 19: Profile of western side of South Haven (from east side. sketch on Survey Form by Chris Pirie) ai Habitat / Community Types II Kelp forest on the rocky walls and boulders extended to 5m bcd. Laminaria hyperborea i and Saccorhiza polyscides were almost equally represented. Sugar Kelp Laminaria saccharina was also common, particularly in the northern part of the bay. There was a ai mixture of red and brown algae between and beneath the kelp, and on the tops of the lower rocks and boulders. On steep and vertical faces there was a mixed animal turf in i which sponges (13 species) and Devonshire cup corals were prominent. Sea urchins Echinus esculentus were common here and not seen at any of the other sites during this W survey.

The sand and muddy sediments all had a range of animals on and within them. The fine sand near the head of the bay was characterised by lugworm casts and small fishes − sand gobies and dragonets. The muddier sediments a little deeper contained anemones, especially close to the rocky outcrops and boulders. There were five species present of which the daisy anemone Cereus pedunculatus was the most common. Also present i were tube dwelling worms, particularly Lanice conchilega, and mobile species such as brittlestars, small spider crabs and swimming crabs. Only two bivalve molluscs were recorded, the great scallop Pecten maximus (occasional) and a tellin (rare). There was a brown algal film over some parts of the sediment. Observations / Features of Interest II

No Atrina fragilis were observed in the sediment seabed and bivalves were uncommon. ii The sediment was softer than that at either Carmarthen Bay or Stack Rock, which may affect the suitability of the site for this species. The sediment was notable for the occurrence of anemones. Three of the species are relatively widespread, Cereus pedunculatus, Cerianthus lloydfi and Urticina fefina, but the other two species Peachia cylindrica and Mesacmaea mitchelli are much more rarely encountered. Mesacmaea is a nationally scarce species (see cover mid right). Fishes were more common here than at of the other sites in the any survey. R

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 20 II n n me 4 Discussion

This section is in two parts. Firstly the results of the search for Atrina fragilis, which was U the principal aim of the survey and secondly general conclusions gained from the Seasearch data for the sites. Nil survey 4.1 The occurrence of the Fan Shell Atrina fragilis

The surveys visited all of the sites in Wales from which Atrina fragilis has been previously reported. None of the records are very recent and, in the case of Carmarthen Bay, only a Ul general location was available. In the event no live specimens of Atrina were found and the only evidence of its presence was a single small dead shell amongst shell debris north of Stack Rock, Milford Haven.

The sediment in the three areas surveyed was varied. In Carmarthen Bay fine sand predominated. At the position recorded by Moore (2002) this was quite a rich habitat with a range of animals both within the sediment and on the surface. These included a n number of bivalve molluscs which may suggest a suitable habitat for Atrina. However n there was no evidence of Atrina here, and the location in any event is almost certainly a general rather than a specific one. The deeper sediments in Man of War Roads were Hi less interesting with a lower diversity and numbers of animals recorded.

Stack Rock in Milford Haven is surrounded by a number of different sediment habitats and it is not clear from which location around the rock the original record was made. The number of habitats in which there were significant numbers of in−sediment bivalves was small, and certainly they were less common than in Carmarthen Bay. However the shell n debris in the maerl beds where the single Atrina shell was found consisted largely of large bivalves and suggests either that they were previously much more common in the i immediate area than they are today or that there are significant numbers of bivalves i elsewhere and that the debris has been brought in during heavy storms. In view of the prevailing winds and the orientation of the maerl ridges the latter is a possibility and if so the living bivalves would be likely to be found to the south−west of the debris site, in other n words almost certainly within the shipping channel. The single valve we found was not i heavily encrusted with attached worms or other life and retained its shiny appearance. Whilst this is a mobile habitat, other shells showed more evidence of epiphytic growths, and it may therefore be that the shell is relatively recent. i The only recent in situ record of Atrina has been made since this survey was carried out and is of a single specimen in a muddy habitat in Plymouth Sound (K. Hiscock pers. i comm.). In the case of Stack Rock such a habitat would be likely to be found on the slope of the shipping channel to the south−west of Stack Rock rather than in the denser mixed sediments around the rock itself or to the north where the single shell was found. There are significant limitations to carrying out a survey in this area because of the size and volume of shipping in the channel. A survey would have to be carefully planned and would need the of the Milford Haven Port Authority. aN support In the case of South Haven, Skomer, much of the sediment apart from that at the very head of the bay is relatively soft and muddy. However it does not contain very many bivalves at all, possibly because of the lack of tidal movements within the haven which limit the amount of nutrition available to filter feeders. Again if there were to be Atrina in m this area they would probably be outside South Haven itself. am m South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 21 i

4.2 General Observations and Species of Interest from the Seasearch Records i The sites chosen for survey were not representative of the full range of sub littoral habitats in this part of Wales since the primary aim of the survey was to look at sediment W habitats where Atrina fragilis might occur. Thus the sites investigated, in all cases bar one, were sediment habitats and rocky habitats adjacent to them. The site south of i Sheep Island was a rocky habitat and was chosen because it had not been previously surveyed. 8

The sites in Carmarthen Bay were relatively homogeneous. Sediments were primarily E fine sand and the rocky areas were of low lying limestone. The sandy sediments were quite varied in terms of the diversity of life they supported and the sites furthest out into i the bay, which were in the location of the 1899 Atrina record were much richer than those around the rocky inshore (Woolhouse Rocks and The Yowan) and the sites in Man of War roads and close to Spaniel Shoal. The rocky sites (Woolhouse Rocks, The Yowan and Spaniel Shoal) were similar and characterised by large numbers of hydroids, mussels and sea squirts. Crabs and starfish were common and there were some rarer IB species such a lobster and octopus.

The sediments in Milford Haven were more varied in texture and composition. There is a relatively large species list of 117 animals and 17 species of algae from Stack Rock i which is almost twice that of any other site in the survey. However this is due, in part, to the greater intensity of survey of the sites around the rock. Animal groups which were E particularly common were worms (12 species) and crustaceans (22 species). Though there were quite large numbers of gastropod molluscs, bivalves (the group which i includes Atrina) were relatively uncommon. The Chapel Bay site on the south side of Milford Haven was much less diverse than Stack Rock, but only a single dive was undertaken here.

The rocky reefs south of Sheep Island are most similar to the rocky sides of South Haven Skomer. However there were significantly fewer species recorded. There were a number i of species of interest here including the sponge Thymosia guernei, the yellow cluster anemone Parazoanthus axinellae, crawfish and a seal. am

South Haven, Skomer was the most varied site visited. The sediments in the centre of the bay varied from sand to soft mud and the rocky edges of the bay and the large rocky outcrops on the northern side provided habitats for a wide range of species.

Species of interest iD

Five species listed as nationally rare or nationally scarce (Sanderson 1996 and personal communication') were recorded during the course of this study. These are included in am the table on the following page. Recorded locations for all species are given in Appendix 1.

am

An updated list of nationally rare and scarce species was provided by CCW to assist with this project. It is derived from Sanderson (1996) and the JNCC Coastal Directories series (Barnes et al. 1995a−b, 1996a−e, 1997a−c, in prep. a−e) with further advice from W. G. Sanderson and J. Plaza (pers. comm. 27/05/97). The list we used was dated April 2002. It should be noted that fishes are not included. un

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 22 nn Species Designation / Comment Conservation interest sponge Nationally Scarce Frequent in rocky habitats South gg Thymosia guernei of Sheep Island (site 7) sponge Nationally Scarce Occasional South of Sheep Island i,, A xinella damicornis (site 7) and common at South Haven (Site 8), in both cases in rocky habitats Yellow cluster anemone Nationally Scarce Common in rocky habitats South Parazoanthus axinellae of Sheep Island (site 7) Burrowing anemone Nationally Scarce Rare in muddy sand and gravel at 8 Mesacmaea mitchellii South Haven (site 8) Nudibranch Nationally Scarce Occasional at Stack Rock (site 5) Thecacera pennigera aH All of these species have been previously recorded in South Wales (JNCC/MNCR). 8 Thymosia guernei has been recorded from both Skomer and off Linney Head on the south side of Freshwater West Bay. The other two species found at Sheep Island, i Axinella damicornis and Parazoanthus axinellae, have been recorded from Skomer though not from the coast south of Milford Haven. Mesacmaea mitchellii has been i recorded from Skomer, but the closest record of Thecacera pennigera is from Cardigan Island. am A number of species recorded also occur on the MarLIN/Seasearch Guide for Selected I Underwater Species (MarLIN, 2003). These species have been selected for four reasons and set out in the table below: i are Species Reason for inclusion Comment 8 in MarLINISeasearch i Guide Yellow cluster anemone Climate change Common in rocky habitats South ng Parazoanthus axinellae species of Sheep Island (site 7) Snakelocks anemone Climate change Occasional S of Sheep Island (site i A nemonia viridis species 7) and rare at South Haven (Site 8), in both cases in rocky habitats i Crawfish (or Spiny lobster) Climate change Occasional in rocky habitats Palinurus elephas species South of Sheep Island (site 7) am Biodiversity Action Plan species W Spiny spider crab Climate change Widespread Maja squinado species Hi Sand mason worm Non native species Occasional/rare at Stack Rock Lanice conchilega (Site 5) Potato crisp bryozoan (or Climate change South of Sheep Island (site 7) and gB Ross) species South Haven (Site 8), in both Pentapora foliacea cases in rocky habitats Cotton spinner Climate change Rare at South Haven (Site 8) gD Holothuria forskali species Leathery sea squirt Non native species Rare at Stack Rock (Site 5) Styela clava Hg Rock cook Climate change Frequent at South Haven (Site 8) Centrolabrus exoletus species i Goldsinny Climate change Frequent South of Sheep Island Ctenolabrus rupestris species (site 7) and South Haven (Site 8) aa II South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 23 II BD

i All of the climate change species listed are known southerly and westerly species and there is no great surprise at their presence here. Since Milford Haven is an important port i the presence of non−native species is also unsurprising. E The Crawfish or Spiny lobster is a Biodiversity Action Plan species primarily because of its exploitation. It is relatively rarely seen by divers but has been recorded from Skomer E and the coast near St Anns Head. i E i

i E i i E lid I 5 E

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RD Hi am

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South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 24 5 References

Websites

JNCC/MNCR Marine Nature Conservation Review, Mermaid database accessed through

R UKBAP UK Biodiversity Action Plan website http://wwlukbap.org.uk i Publications

Howson C.M. & Picton, B.E. eds. (1997). The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast, Ulster Museum and Ross−on−Rye, Marine Conservation Society. m MarLIN (The Marine Life Information Network for Britain and Ireland). (2003). Sealife Surveys. Identification Guide for Selected Underwater Species. Marine Biological ii Association of the UK, Plymouth. m 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 m Report No. 509.

8 Sanderson, W.G. (1996). Rare marine benthic flora and fauna in Great Britain: the development of criteria for assessment. JNCC Report, No. 240. Joint Nature m Conservation Committee, Peterborough. 5 m 6 Acknowledgements 5 The author would like to thank all of the volunteer divers who gave their time to work on this project and especially James Perrins for the use of his boat for all except the South m Haven, Skomer m surveys. i The Marine Conservation Society is also grateful to the Countryside Council for Wales for their partial funding for the surveys. m Sam Fanshawe, Director of Conservation and Jean−Luc Solandt, Biodiversity Officer, both of the Marine Conservation Society for their assistance with the application for funding and Jean−Luc for his valuable comments on the draft of this report. m m i

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 25 BD ig

Appendix 1 − Dive positions and details 5 Site 1: Carmarthen Bay Atrina fragilis record site − BD −−l Ref Position in Position out Date Time in Surveyors Record i made

CB1 510 41.987' N 510 41.825' N 15/06/03 0945 Jon Moore Survey 04o 36.799' W 04" 36.893' W i CB2 51o 42.033'N 510 41.642' N 15/06/03 0943 Tim Theobalds Survey an 04o 36.895'W 040 36.836'W Lou Luddington m CB3 510 41.137'N 51o 40.771' N 15/06/03 1055 Chris Wood Survey 040 36.247'W 040 36.588'W James Perrins Ha B Site 2: Woolhouse Rocks, Tenby lid

Ref Position in Position out Date Time in Surveyors Record i made HII CB4 51° 39.456' N 51o 39.502' N 15/06/03 1409 Jon Moore Survey 040 39.775'W 040 39.634'W Re

CB5 510 39.516'N 51o 39.808' N 15/06/03 1402 Lou Luddington Survey 040 39.774'W 04° 39.465' W Tim Theobalds

CB6 51° 39.607' N 510 39.734' N 15/06/03 1525 Chris Wood Survey 040 39.734'W 04° 39.821' W James Perrins

Site 3: Man O War Roads and Spaniel Shoal B in Ref Position in Position out Date Time in Surveyors Record made I CB7 51o 38 185' N 510 37.778' N 16/06/03 1013 Jon Moore Survey 5 04o 39.433'W 040 39.706' W

CB8 510 38.364' N 510 37.739' N 16/06/03 1030 Tim Theobalds Survey 040 39.517'W 040 39.817' W Dale Rostron l CB9 not recorded 510 38.035' N 15/06/03 1103 Chris Wood Survey 040 38.113'W 040 38.500' W James Perrins Hi i in

Ha

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 26 Site 4: The Yowan, Tenby

Ref Position in Position out Date Time in Surveyors Record made i CB10 51° 39.804' N 51° 39.893' N 16/06/03 1330 Dale Rostron Survey 04° 38.170' W 04° 38.070' W Chris Wood

1 CB11 510 39.893' N 51° 39.883' N 16/06/03 1337 Jon Moore Survey 040 38.196'W 04° 38.142' W

Site 5: Stack Rock, Milford Haven

Ref Position in Position out Date Time in Surveyors Record made

MH1 51° 42.155' N 510 42.134' N 09/08/03 1030 Kirsten Ramsay Survey t 05o 05.599'W 05o 05.810' W Rohan Holt

MH2 51o 42.131' N static 09/08/03 1035 Dale Rostron Survey 05° 05.617' W Ha MH3 510 42.130' N 510 42.097' N 09/08/03 1140 Chris Wood Survey 05o 05.464'W 050 05.311' W James Perrins

MH5 51° 42.203' N 51o 42.227' N 10/08/03 1135 Kirsten Ramsay Survey 050 05.320' W 050 05.467' W Rohan Holt

MH6 51o 42.236' N 51° 42.224' N 10/08/03 1230 Chris Wood Survey 05o 05.616' W 05o 05.440'W

MH8 51o 42.490' N 510 42.309'N 10/08/03 1430 Chris Wood Survey 05o 05.664'W 05o 05.375'W

MH9 51o 42.613' N static 22/08/03 1402 Darren Murray Observation na 05o 06.182'W Sam Cook i MH10 51o 42.700' N static 22/08/03 1415 Chris Webb Observation 05° 06.320' W James Perrins

MH11 51° 42.6132 N 51o 42.588' N 22/08/03 1513 Chris Wood Survey 05° 05.914' W 05" 05.662' W Dominic Smith

Site 6: Chapel Bay, Milford Haven

Ref Position in Position out Date Time in Surveyors Record made nn MH7 51° 41.622' N 51° 41.601' N 10/08/03 1344 Kirsten Ramsay Survey 05° 05.750' W 05° 05.433' W Rohan Holt

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 27 m W

Site 7: Parsonquarry Bay, south−east of Sheep Island W Position in Position out Date Time in Surveyors Record made ge

510 39.976'N static 09/08/03 1455 Kirsten Ramsay Survey 050 06.449' W Rohan Holt W

Site 8: South Haven, Skomer i am Ref Position in Position out Date Time in Surveyors Record made

SK1 51o 44.055' N 23/08/03 1550 \/icki Billings Survey 05o 16.900'W Angela Read W SK2 510 44.000' N 23/08/03 1602 Tim Theobalds Survey 050 16.949'W Dominic Smith rid SK3 51o 43.900' N 51" 43.951' N 23/08/03 1610 Chris Pirie Survey mR 050 17.272' W 050 17.205' W Chris Wood W SK4 51o 43.882' N 23/08/03 1606 Alison Bessell Survey 05o 16.843'W Christine Harling

5

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South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 28 nnunuunnlunnnimunnuElluunmnunununnnu8nn

Appendix 2 − Species List

In the following table the occurrence of a species in each habitat identified is recorded. There may therefore be more occurrences in the table than there are records from a site. This is because a number of different habitats have been identified at many of the sites. The abundance scale used is: A = abundant, C = common, F = frequent, O = occasional, R = rare

Phylum Species Carrnarthen Bay Milford Haven Skomer Sea− Nation 1899 Man of South of search ally record Woolh'se The War Chapel Sheep South No. of Marlin rare or site Rocks Yowan Roads Stack Rock Bay Island Haven sites list scarce Porifera Pachymatisma johnstonia O O 3 Thymosia guernei F R 2 Tethya aurantium R FO 2 Polymastia boletiformis C 1 Suberites 0O O 2 Suberites carnosus R 1 Suberites ficus R RR O 3 Stelligera rigida O O O 3 Cliona celata O0O ORR OOOOR O CFOOR 5 Axinella damicornis O 1 A xinella dissimilis O CO 2 Homaxinella subdola O 1 Halichondria panicea 1 Hymeniacidon perleve OR 1 Esperiopsis fucorum ORR 2 Hemimycale columella R 1 Phorbas O 1 Raspailia hispida R O 2

Raspailia ramosa O O CR 3 Haliclona O 1 Haficlona oculata 00 F O 3

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 29 Sea− Nation 1899 Man of South of search ally record Woolh'se The War Chapel Sheep South No. of Marlin rare or site Rocks Yowan Roads Stack Rock Bay Island Haven sites list scarce Dysidea fragilis OR FO 3 Porifera indet. O 1 23 0 6 0 9 1 12 13 Cnidaria Hydrozoa indet OO 1 Hydractinia 1 Halecium beanii C 1 Halecium halecinum OOR AO 2 Abietinaria abietina O Hydraflmania falcata CR OOR ORR Sertularia argentea AACR AACO R OR Kirchenpaueria pinnata O Nemerfesia antennina FOO CFR OR OOOO Nemertesia ramosa FOORR Obelia longissima R AFO CR R Alcyonium digitatum R 000 O O OORR R 6 Virgularia mirabilis C 1 Cerianthus floydii OOORR O COOO 3 Parazoanthus axinellae 0 1 CC S lsozoanthus sulcatus R CFFR 2 Anemonia viridis R OR 2 CC Urticina felina O OR OOOORRR R 4 Metridium senile OR R OR ORR R 5 Sagartia O 1 Sagartia elegans O OR R R 4 Sagartia troglodytes CC OR OOOOOOORR R 4 Cereus pedunculatus RR OO CCFOOOP 0 CFFR 6 Actinothoe sphyrodeta OORR O 2 Sagartiogeton undatus FFO OO 3 Mesacmaea mttchelfii R 1 S Peachia cylindrica OR 2 Corynactis viridis O 1

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 30 II IIII II II nmmmmmlumnumnummmnmmn|lunlnnmmmmnumnununm89n

Sea− Nation 1899 Man of South of search ally record Woolh'se The War Chapel Sheep South No. of Marlin rare or site Rocks Yowan Roads Stack Rock Bay Island Haven sites list scarce Caryoph yllia smithii ACCFO 29 13 12 13 6 11 Platyhelminthes Prostheceraeus vittatus R R 2 1 0 1 Annelida Tubulanus annulatus R 1 Polychaeta C 1 Chaetopterus variopedatus F 1 Arenicola marina F C 2 Terebellida O 1 Lanice conchilega OR R O AACCCCCOOOO 00 5 Sabelhdae O 1 Bispira volutacornis R OOR 4 Branchiomma bombyx CCFOOOR R 3 Chone infundibufiformis R R 2 Myxicola infundibulum FFFOOORRP O RR 3 Sabella O 1 Pomatoceros FR A 2 Pomatoceros lamarcki O 1 Pomatoceros triqueter CO 1 15 3 12 6 Crustacea Balanus A ACCC 2 Balanus crenatus CCOR FFO F CCCO A 5 Boscia anglica 0 1 Palaemon FO 2 Palaemon serratus R OOR 2 Homarus gammarus OR RR RR 3 Palinurus elephas 0 1 CC,B Paguridae C CC R C FO 5 Pagurus bernhardus 0 00 ACFOO FO FO0000 O 6 Pagurus prideaux F R 2 Galathea nexa 0 1

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 31 Sea− Nation 1899 Man of South of search ally record Woolh'se The War Chapel Sheep South No. of Marlin rare or site Rocks Yowan Roads Stack Rock Bay Island Haven sites list scarce Pisidia longicornis F 1 Ebalia R 1 Maja squinado RR CFOOO CFOO COR FOOOOO R ORRRR 7 CC Hyas araneus OR O 3 Inachus RR O CCO O 4 Inachus phalangium 00 1 Macropodia 0 CFOR OR 3 Macropodia rostrata O ORR OR 4 Corystes cassivelaunus 0O O 2 Cancer pagurus O OR FFOOOOOOORRP R O O 6 Liocarcinus FOOO 1 Liocarcinus depurator R OOO O O 4 Necora puber OOR OOR O FFFOORR R ORR 6 Carcinus maenas C F R 3 Goneplax rhomboides CFOOOO R 2 26 5 12 10 22 6 8 Mollusca Gibbula O FO 2 Gibbula cineraria O CF 2 Calliostoma zizyphinum RR OORR 2 Crepidula fornicata OR 1 NN Trivia RR R 2 Polinices pulchellus R 1 Euspira catena CFO 2 Ocenebra erinacea OR 1 Buccinum undatum O R RRR 5 Hinia reticulata FR 1 Hinia incrassata 0 1 A cteon tornatilis R 1 Philine aperta R FO 3 Pleurobranchidae O 1 Tritonia lineata R 1

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 32 llllllmslllslllslllllllllsl II IIII IIII IIII II iainiEamUaimnnnna|aiiEaenumamau9ai

Sea− Nation 1899 Man of South of search ally record Woolh'se The War Chapel Sheep Southth I No of Marlin rare or site Rocks Yowan Roads Stack Rock Bay Island Havenan sites list scarce Doto CF O 2 Doto pinnatifida CC 1 Polycera faeroensis R 1 Thecacera pennigera 1 Janotus cristatus O 1 Eubranchus tricolor C 1 A eolidia papillosa RR RR 2 Mytilus edulis AAAA A AAF 3 Pecten maximus FFOOOORR R O0 3 A equipecten operculans OOOORP 1 A canthocardia R 1 Lutraria lutraria R 1 Ensis CF O O ACOOOO O 5 Ensis siliqua A 1 Pharus legumen CC 1 Tellinidae R 1 Arctica islandica FO 1 Chamelea gallina O O 2 Mya O 1 Mya arenaria F O 2 Hiatella arctica O 2 Sepia 1 Sepiola R 1 Octopus P 1 Octopus vulgaris R R 2 40 13 9 12 2O 2 0 6 Bryozoa Alcyonidium diaphanum O O CCOOOORR O 4 Bo werbankia OOO C 2 Membranipora membranacea O CC 2 Electra 1

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 33 Sea− Nation 1899 Man of South of search ally record Woolh'se The War Chapel Sheep Southh l No.of Marlin rare or site Rocks Yowan Roads Stack Rock Bay Island Havenn sites list scarce Flustra foliacea R 1 1 Chartella papyracea 0 1 Bugula plumosa OR AACFO 0 4 Bugula turbinata CCO 1 Scrupocellaria C 1 Cellaria fistulosa O 1 Pentapora foliacea R R 2'2 CC Schizomavella linearis R 1 Cellepora pumicosa O R R 3 Bryozoa indet crusts O 1 14 4 3 7 1 7 3 Phoronida Phoronis hippocrepia O O COR FR 4 1 1 1 0 1 Echinodermata Luidia ciliaris Ri 1 Astropecten irregularis FOO 1 Crossaster papposus P 1 Henricia RR 2 Henricia oculata RRR 1 Asterias rubens CR CFO A CR CCFFRR Marthasterias glacialis R RR Ophiurida R A mphiura Amphiura filiformis AF Ophiura F O Ophtura albida F FF RR O C 5 Ophiura ophiura AAF O RR R 4 Echinus esculentus 1 Echinocardium 1 Echinocardium cordatum 00 3 Holothuna forskah RRR 1 CC Neopentadactyla mixta R 1

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 34

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Sea− Nation 1899 Man of South of search ally record Woolh'se The War Chapel Sheep South No. of Marlin rare or site Rocks Yowan Roads Stack Rockock Bay Island Haven sites list scarce Aslia lefevrei O 19 4 8 2 Tunicata A scidiacea C 1 I Clavelina lepadiformis R R ORRRR OR 4 Sidnyum elegans O 1 Aplidium punctum O R 2 Didemnum maculosum R 1 Diplosoma 1 Lissoclinum R 1 Lissoclinum perforatum R 1 Ciona intestinalis O 1 A scidiella aspersa o O 2 A scidia mentula 0 O 2 Styela clava R 1 NN Polycarpa pomaria F 1 Polycarpa scuba F 2 Dendrodoa grossularia FO 1 Botryllus R 1 Botryllus schlosseri OOORR 2 Botrylloides R 1 Botrylloides leachi R R 2 Molgula manhattensis AC AA 2 20 0 6 3 0 12 0 Pisces Scyliorhinus canicula R CRR OR 3 Raja clavata 1 Conger conger R 1 Gadidae OO 1 Gadus morhua R 1 Pollachius pollachius R 00 3 Trisopterus luscus C OR 00 4 Trisopterus minutus O F 2

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 35 Sea− Nation 1899 Man of South of search ally record Woolh'se The War Chapel Sheep South No. of Marlin rare or site Rocks Yowan Roads Stack Rock Bay_ Island Haven sites list scarce Syngnathidae R 1 Syngnathus acus R RRRR 3 Mullus surmuletus R 1 Centrolabrus exoletus F 1 CC Ctenolabrus rupestris F FFO 2 CC Labrus bergylta R O CO 3 Labrus mixtus O 1 Parablennius gattorugine R 1 Pholis gunnellus OR 1 Ammodytes tobianus R 1 Callionymus lyra FOOOOOOOOOORP O FOOR 3 Gobiidae R C FF 3 Gobius niger R 1 Gobiusculus flavescens 1 Pomatoschistus ACCCCOO 2 Pomatoschistus minutus R O FO C 4 Thorogobius ephippiatus OR 2 Zeugopterus punctatus R 1 Platichthys flesus R R 2 Pleuronectes platessa 0 1 Buglossidium luteum R 1 29 5 5 6 3 12 7 11 Algae Rhodophycota CCCOR AC ACFRP 3 Encrusting coralline algae R C 2 Lithothamnion C 1 Calliblepharis ciliata CCCFFFF CP 2 Dilsea carnosa O 1 Phyllophora crispa R 1 Plocamium cartiagineum 1 Rhodymenia ardissonei O 1 Rhodymenia holmesit R 11

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey. June−August 2003 36 a.n.n**a*Nlima*n!A"""""""" n III lie 5 lid aidliD Ha aiiaauERiaaanamiB|ilaaaana8amnanaa

Sea− Nation 1899 Man of South of search ally record Woolh'se The War Chapel Sheep South No. of Marlin rare or site Rocks Yowan Roads Stack Rock Bay Island Haven sites list scarce Heterosiphonia plumosa FFO 0 2 A crosorium 1 A crosorium venulosum FO 1 Cryptopleura ramosa F 1 Delesseria sanguinea O CP 2 Brongniartella byssoides 0 1 Polysiphonia R 1 Dictyopteris membranacea O AP 2 Dictyota dichotoma OOR P 2 Desmarestia ligulata R 1 Laminaria hyperborea R A AAAACO 3 Laminaria saccharina ORR AO 2 Saccorhiza polyschides 00 F AC 3 Himanthalia elongata O 1 Chlorophycota CFO 3 Ulva lactuca F 1 25 0 2 0 0 17 1 4 12 Total 242 36 64 58 23 134 25 47 84 Total Animals 217 36 62 58 23 117 24 43 72

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 37 * SEASEARCH SURVEY FORM

e If anything is unclear please refer to the Guidance Notes e• Each pair of divers should complete a form between them Please complete all parts of the form. Where there is a * onlyOnlyfill in itheTill ininformation if you know it Validated by Date Verified by Date 1 1 Your details Name 1 l Tel No: hm/wk Address Email: Buddy's Name

Name of group or survey • Postcode

Dive details Site name DateDateofdive:of dive: dd/ mm/ yy General location Start of dive: (24hr) Dive duration: (mins)

U/W visibility: m Sea temperature: °c

Position Latitude Longitude W or E Drift dive? yes / no 0 Centre of site Night dive? yes / no

For drift dives Did you take any of the following? From To| o| photographs yes / no video footage yes / no Or OS Grid Reference specimens yes / no Position derived from: (circle) GPS Datum (circle) seaweeds for pressing yes / no GPS Admiralty chart OS map other WGS84 OSGB36

Seabed summary Tick which types of seabed were present For the area surveyed, what was rocky reef I−1 boulders [3 cobbles/pebbles O mixedground O the deepest depth? (m) bsl bcd sand/gravel O mud [−J wreckage O other O the shallowest depth? (m) bsl bcd Circle the dominant one Tidal correction to chart datum m*

Summarise: a. the main features of the seabed, b. any unusual features or species, c. any human activities or impacts at the site.

South Wales Seasearch and Fan Shell Survey: June−August 2003 39 m

Habitat descriptions m* theI • Complete a box below for each habitat you found on your dive. Each written description should tally with information entered in the columns below and with your diagrams on the next page. If you found more than 3 habitats, I • continue your descriptions on another Form. Tick boxes where shown, or give percentages (make sure they add up to I 100%!), or assign a score from 1−5 as appropriate. If you are uncertain about anything, leave the box blank. I • 1. DESCRIPTION m m m m 2. DESCRIPTION m m

m 3. DESCRIPTION

1 | 2 | 3 1 | 2 | 3 m DEPTH LIMITS 1−5 FEATURES − ROCK (all categories) Upper (from sea level) (i.e. minimum) Relief of habitat (even − rugged) Lower (from sea level) (i.e maximum) Texture (smooth − pitted) Upper (from chart datum) * Stability (stable − mobile) Lower (from chart datum) * Scour (none − scoured) Silt ( none − silted) % SUBSTRATUM Fissures > 10 mm (none − many) Bedrock type?: Crevices < 10 mm (none − many) Boulders− very large >1 0 m Boulder/cobble/pebble shape −larg e 05−1.0m (rounded − angular) −small 025−05m Sediment on rock? (tick if present) Cobbles (fist − head size) Pebbles (50p − fist size) FEATURES − SEDIMENT (1) Gravel − stone Mounds / casts − shell fragments Burrows / holes Sand − coarse Waves (>10 cm high) −medium Ripples (< 10 cm high) fine Subsurface layer? − coarse Mud Subsurface anoxic (black) layer? Shells (empty − or as large pieces)~ Shells (living mussels, limpets) − eg 1−5 FEATURES − SEDIMENT_(2) soft) Wm Artificial − metal Firmness (firm − − concrete Stability (stable − mobile) l − wood Sorting (well_ − poor) J Other (state) Total 40 Sketches and plans Draw a profile or plan of the sea bed you encountered on your dive in the space below. Mark (& number) the different habitats, corresponding to the written descriptions on p. 2. Indicate conspicuous and/or characteristic species. Make sure you include depth(s) (vertical axis) and a distance scale (horizontal axis) for a profile and scale and north point for a plan. Indicate your direction of travel (compass bearing) and/or the direction of any current.

41 W m Marine Life m Score the abundance of each group of animals and plants in each habitat alongside the name. In the blank spaces list the seaweeds & animals which you were able to identify positively from the different habitats. Use latin names if possible, but if you m don't know them, common or descriptive names are acceptable. If you are not 100% sure about any, add a question mark Do not incorrect identifications. Give abundances in the columns: enter names as guesses − it's better to exclude them than to include Abundant, Common, Frequent, Occasional & Rare. If you did not note abundances, simply enter a P for Present. Continue on a I separate sheet, if necessary. m Seabed cover types m 3 Kelp forest Short animal turf on rocks Kelp park Tall animal turf on rocks Mixed seaweeds Animal bed: (specify) Encrusting pink algae Sediment with life apparent m Barren sediment m Species Please arrange your species records in the following order to help with logging the result later. Ensure that all species m descriptions. you have identified are on this list − including any shown on the plan/profile or noted in the habitat Seaweeds − brown, red and green, sponges, hydroids, anemones and corals, soft corals, seafans and seapens, jellyfish, worms,m barnacles, shrimps & prawns, crabs & lobsters, molluscs − gastropods & bivalves, nudibranchs, cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish, octopus), bryozoans, starfish and brittlestars, urchins, sea cucumbers, sea squirts, fishes, birds and mammals, others. m 1 23 1 2 3

Continue on a separate sheet if you need to m Once completed, return the form to the Dive Organiser or to: Seasearch, Marine Conservation Society, 9 Gloucester Road, Ross on Wye, Herefordshire HR9 5BU. m Your name and address will be included on the Seasearch database and those of partner organisations. You will also receive Seasearch newsletters and information on other marine surveys and projects. Please tick here if you do NOT want to be sent newsletters or information on other marine surveys and projects II 42 nnmniuninnnnmlunlImlinunmnunnnunnl

Thank you for completing this form All that's left for you to do is to either hand it to the Dive Organiser or fold it into thirds along the dotted lines, tuck one part into the other, addastampand send it off. Seasearch Your name and address will be included on the Seasearch database and those of partner organisations. You will also receive Seasearch newsletters and information Observation Form about other marine surveys and projects. seabed Please tick here if you do NOT want to be sent newsletters or details of other marine This form asks for two types of information from your dive − what the was surveys. like and what marine life you saw. Please read the guidance notes before completing the form By completing this form you will be adding to our knowledge date For Seasearch use only Validated by of thenear−shoremarineenvironment− helping it to remain fit for life!

Record No Verified by date Please complete the following sections in a black pen and BLOCK CAPITALS

first folJ Name

Address

aff 1X starnp

Seasearch Postcode

Marine Conservation Society Tel: Home Mobile 9 Gloucester Road Email Ross−on− Wye Herefordshire Buddy's Name HR9 5BU Site Name Date of Dive / /

Start of dive 1 second folc and luck in 24hr: General Location Dive duration (mln5} (inc county) U/W visibility m

Sea Temperature °C

Position of centre of site or OS Grid Reference 0 0. N W or E Seasearch is a joint project co−ordinated by the Marine Conservation Society and supported by: The Heritage Lottery Fund. The Wildlife Trusts, English Nature. Countryside Council for Position derived from (circle) Drift dive? yes / no Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Environment GPS Admiralty Chart OS Map Other Night dive? yes / no Agency Mar ine Biological Association (MarLIN), Br itish Sub− Agua Club, Professional Association of Diving Instructors and Project Aware, Scottish Sub−Aqua Club, Sub−Agua Did you take any photographs? yes / no or video footage? yes / no co Association and the Nautical Archaeology Society. S01−3/03 Description of the seabed 1 Please draw an approximate profile of the seabed (i.e. a side−on view), labeling features and dominant forms as appropriate. Remember to show the depth range anda distance scale. 1

Depth (m)

distance (m)

Types of seabed present: (please tick all that you saw and circle the dominant one) I Rocky Reef Boulders Cobbles and Pebbles Mixed Ground Sand and Gravel Mud Wreckage Other I [3 I−I [3 [3 I−1 [3 I−I F1 I Did you notice anything unusual or noteworthy Was there any litter or were there any man−made about the seabed or the marine life? objects apparent? I

I What marine life did you see on your dive? I Seabed types (tick all those present) Species you saw cover I Show abundance of each species as Rare, Animal turf rocks on Occasional, Common, or if you're unsure, Present. I |5 3 Species Short ~ R, O,C orP I I Kelp park D Tall I I I Mixed Animal Beds iEd I seaweeds (e.g. mussels, brittlestars, (? scallops − state which) I I Encrusting pink algae Sediment with life apparent I 11 (tubes, burrows etc) I ~ I Barren sediment I (no life structures apparent) or I Illustrations by 44 Bob Foster−Smith I