Invertebrates
Updated 13 June 2023
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1. Species
The offences and protections listed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) from 0 to 12 nautical miles are for (unless stated):
- pink sea fan (Eunicella verrucosa) – section 9(1), 9(2) and 9(5)
- startlet sea anemone (Nematostella vectensis) – section 9
- Ivell’s sea anemone (Edwardsia ivelli) – section 9
- marine hydroid (Clavopsella navis) – section 9
- northern hatchet shell (Thyasira gouldi) – section 9
- trembling sea matt (Victorella pavida) – section 9
- tentacled lagoon worm (Alkmaria romijni) – section 9(4)(a)
- lagoon sand shrimp (Gammarus insensibilis) – section 9(4)(a)
- De Folin’s lagoon snail (Caecum armoricum) – section 9
- lagoon sea slug (Tenellia adspersa) – section 9
- lagoon sand worm (Armandia cirrhosa) – section 9
- fan mussel (Atrina fragilis) – section 9(1), 9(2) and 9(5)
2. Offences
| Offences | Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 |
|---|---|
| Kill or injure | X (does not apply to tentacled lagoon worm or lagoon sand shrimp) |
| Take | X (does not apply to tentacled lagoon worm or lagoon sand shrimp) |
| Possess | X (does not apply to tentacled lagoon worm or lagoon sand shrimp) |
| Damage or destroy place of shelter or protection | X (does not apply to pink sea fan or fan mussel) |
| Disturb | X (does not apply to pink sea fan, fan mussel, tentacled lagoon worm or lagoon sand shrimp) |
| Transport or possess for sale, offer or expose for sale or advertise for sale | X (does not apply to tentacled lagoon worm or lagoon sand shrimp) |
| Use prohibited method to take or kill | X (does not apply to lagoon sand shrimp) |
3. Further information
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)
4. Contact information
4.1 Marine Conservation Team
0300 123 1032