Natural England

Less than one in a hundred of the population can name a feature of a landscape under English seas, according to research by Natural England, even though there is incredibly dramatic topography out there. People know and love the Broads, the Brecks and Constable Country, but they have almost no idea of what amazing features exist under the seas near to them.

Only around one in ten (10.7 % of) people living in the East of England believe that the sea has “a variety of landscapes, some of which are unique to our region”, according to Natural England’s report. A further low percentage, only 9.9 %, were convinced that this region has “a rich mix of undersea landscapes including plants, animals and features special to this region”. But there is so much more to discover.

“There is an incredible medley of landscapes and marine life here in the East” said Natural England’s regional director, Shaun Thomas. “Our undersea environment has dramatic landscapes with valleys, hills, vast plains and cliffs and is a source of intrigue and fascination. There are all these great places under the waves. For example, there are huge linear sandbanks off the north Norfolk coast that are covered in sea potatoes, or heart urchins, bean-like tellina shellfish and sand eels. The Sheringham Chalk Gullies are carpeted with beautiful sponges, seamats, dahlia and daisy anemones as well as colourful peacock worms. Thirteen miles off Great Yarmouth we have amazing living reefs formed by billions of tiny ross worms that live in tubes they make from sand and shell fragments glued together. Our seas are rich with fish stretching from the mussels in the Wash to the Suffolk venus clam beds. The muddy seabeds and gravel banks also create ideal conditions for young sole and herring to thrive.”

Natural England has designed a series of maps which show the beauty and variety of England’s undersea landscapes. A national map will be published this week in BBC WILDLIFE MAGAZINE (October edition, out 25 Sept). It will accompany an article called ‘Discover England’s super seas’ written by Tooni Mahto, one of the presenters of BBC2’s forthcoming series, OCEANS. Natural England has also created five regional maps, including one for the East of England, showing the diversity of animals and plants that live in our seas in more detail - a diversity among the highest in Europe.

The maps form part of Natural England’s undersea landscapes campaign which, throughout the summer, has been encouraging people to find out more about the richness of their local marine habitats and wildlife by attending free marine-themed events, including the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival in the first week of September. Children made undersea landscapes in a shoebox, fish kites, basking shark models, crab door guards, peacock worms, marine murals and sea slug finger puppets. Visitors who lived in the centre of the country said it was really refreshing to learn about the sea. An 81-year lady who watched her gaggle of grandchildren take part in a workshop and get stuck into the sand, cardboard, paint and glitter said: " I have learnt more about the seas where I live in the past 45 minutes than I have in my entire life; and I was born here".

Shaun Thomas continued: “It has been fantastic to see people enjoying this fun way of exploring of what exists under the sea. You see their faces light up and they want to learn more.”

Natural England intends to run more marine-themed events throughout the country in 2009. To find out more about Natural England’s marine campaign and to download all the regional maps, visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk/campaigns/marine

Notes for editors:

1. Maps: a JPEG of the East of England map is available on request.
Photos: of some local marine wildlife & habitats and Natural England’s stand at the Great Yarmouth Maritime Festival are available on request.

2. The research was carried out through Campaign Strategy Ltd. Visit www.campaignstrategy.org or see the full report

3. The UK is committed to delivering a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) around its coastline by 2012. These MPAs will give various degrees of protection to undersea landscapes and marine life. Natural England will be a key delivery body for these MPAs. The process of identifying possible MPA sites and designating them in English Territorial waters will involve consulting with stakeholders and will also benefit greatly from public support.

4. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. It conserves and enhances the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

For more information and photos contact the press office:
Linzee Kottman on 01223 533431/07824 475359; linzee.j.kottman@naturalengland.org.uk or Heather McMorland on 01733 455080/07919 228388; Heather.McMorland@naturalengland.org.uk

For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk