Torquay becomes part of new South West marine conservation area.
Written by Nigel Beck on 31st August 2010
It’s official – Torbay and Lyme Bay have become a new marine conservation area created off the Devon coast. Torbay, or the English Riviera, made up of Paignton, Brixham and Torquay in Devon, becomes an even more special place to visit this Autumn, having become one of four new marine conservation areas created off the South West coast to protect the sea’s environment. Apart from Torbay, they are Prawle Point to Plymouth Sound, Eddystone and Lizard Point, and Land’s End and Cape Bank.
The sites will protect habitats including reefs, sea caves and sandbanks where marine life thrives. Newly protected areas will include sand banks that act as nursery ground for many commercial fish species, also supporting sand eels. These in turn are a food source for seabirds and mammals such as seals. This move comes about to help the seas recover.
Torbay was awarded GeoPark (Geological Park) status in 2007 and is one of only seven GeoParks in the United Kingdom. There are only fifty-three GeoParks worldwide. Parts of the coastline and cliffs date back over 375 million years and these are looked after by the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.
View from Babbacombe Downs
Thatcher Rock, Hope’s Nose and Meadfoot areas of Torquay are made up of Devonian limestone and just along the coast the Babbacombe and Oddicombe cliffs date back some 300 million years. In Paignton, Roundham Head and Hollicombe Head are great examples where the exposed cliffs and rocks can be easily seen. The Goodrington part of the coast dates back over 280 million years and just along from Goodrington Sands is the Saltern Cove Local Nature Reserve.
There is so much to discover around the South Devon coast and Autumn is a perfect time to be getting close to the natural beauty that the area has to offer. Take a look at the You Tube video clip below and you’ll see that this really is a special place to experience. The Toorak Hotel in Torquay part of TLH Leisure Resort is a perfect base for an Autumn break - see our website for special offers.
