Skomer Marine Conservation Zone

Sea Waters around Skomer (Welsh: Ynys Sgomer)  the island off the west coast of Pembrokeshire (Welsh: Sir Benfro) will today (12 Dec) become part of Wales’ first Marine Conservation Zone. Skomer is already a national nature reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area. The sea around Skomer is an important home and feeding ground for a wide variety of marine life such as the rare Manx Shearwaters and the large colony of Atlantic Puffin. This is the first of a number of proposed marine nature reserves in Wales and comes at a time when the marine environment worldwide is facing many serious challenges. Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru (Natural Resources Wales) undertake marine research on Skomer and work to protect the marine environment.