Torbay MCZ is an inshore site that covers an area of 20 km2 and is located on the South Devon coast between Oddicombe Beach and Sharkham Point.
The high level of biodiversity in the area surrounding Torbay MCZ has previously been recognised, with Torbay being described as “the jewel in South Devon’s crown” for marine wildlife. Extending from the shoreline out to a depth of 30 metres the site includes a range of habitats exposed to different environmental conditions. This variation creates an area that is capable of supporting a rich array of marine wildlife.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/marine-conservation-zone-2013-designation-torbay
The inshore areas of Torbay’s natural harbour are predominantly soft muddy sands which are characterised by animals such as heart urchins and brittlestars. The less muddy sand found closer towards the shore holds dense populations of species including razor clams whereas the site’s rocky areas support sponges, sea squirts and seaweeds. Seagrasses are plants with dark green, long, narrow, ribbon-shaped leaves and are the only flowering plant that is able to live in seawater and pollinate whilst submerged. Seagrass beds provide a habitat for a wide range of animals, such as seahorses and pipefish, which shelter amongst the leaves, as well as molluscs and worms which burrow into the roots and surrounding sediments. They also act as nursery areas for a range of animals giving protection to marine species of commercial importance such as bass and cuttlefish, which in turn support a range of diving birds at this site such as the Red-breasted merganser and Great northern diver.
The nationally rare long-snouted seahorse also inhabits seagrass beds and is found within Torbay MCZ. Seahorses are bony fish that swim upright. They wrap their long tails around plants, preventing them from being swept away by strong currents. Instead of scales, they have skin stretched over a series of bony plates which are visible as rings around the body. This bony armour helps protect them from predators as does their excellent camouflage. The long snout of this particular seahorse is more than one third of the length of its head and acts like a vacuum cleaner for food. Seahorses are known to form faithful pairs for at least the duration of the breeding season, and are unique in the animal kingdom in that it is the male that carries the developing young. The female transfers her eggs into a pouch on his stomach, where they are fertilised, and the pouch sealed. The male gives birth to fully formed young about three weeks later.
