Conservationists 'shocked' by coral bed deterioration in Cornwall
'Very sombre atmosphere'
Organised by Cornwall Council and Natural England, the forum aimed to increase collaboration and create an action plan for the protection of Cornwall's maerl bed.Mr Slater said: "It was a shocking sight. "The area, which was previously purple and beautiful, is now covered with a thick layer of brown, fluffy algae. "We've surveyed here regularly for the past eight years and I have never seen the maerl beds looking like this."It was a very sombre atmosphere."Cornwall Wildlife Trust said mobile fishing gear was damaging maerl beds, as well as a deterioration in water quality.It added scallop dredges and beam trawls, which could destroy up to 70% of the live maerl nodules, were of "particular concern".
Mr Slater said: "Maerl grows so slowly. If you lose it, there's very little chance you'll be able to grow it back; certainly not within our lifetime."Maerl beds, which also act as a vital carbon store, were recently classified as irreplaceable marine habitats by Natural England, Cornwall Wildlife Trust said.The trust said it was working with farmers to reduce agricultural run-off and with fishers on sustainable management practises.
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