The Wild life of Portland
Wildlife and habitats
The Isle of Portland is fringed by swaying kelp fronds forming a dense canopy in the shallows, sheltering a host of fish, crustaceans and other marine life.
Mussel beds cover the rocks, siphoning the rich soup as it sweeps by. Each anchors itself using hair-like but incredibly strong bysuss threads which act like guy-ropes to stop the animal being swept away. The mussels provide a feast for predators such as edible crabs and starfish, while clearings in the bed are quickly colonised by colourful anemones, sponges and other filter-feeding animals.
Bottlenose dolphins and grey seals are regularly spotted around Portland Bill and can be easily seen from the cliffs, as can seabirds such as gannets and cormorants. Basking and thresher sharks have also been recorded.
Productive seas
With 49 species of fish recorded, the Portland area supports thriving commercial and recreational fisheries. Portland crabs and lobsters are highly sought-after and the fishery for these species has provided employment for locals for centuries.
The area's rich waters attract a number of fish species, such as bass, pollack, plaice, turbot and brill, that are highly valued by sea-anglers.
Sole and rays are caught in fixed nets and seed mussels are collected here for farming in Poole Harbour.
Looking after the sea
Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) has excluded bottom dredging and trawling from most of the site and other restrictions enable fish and shellfish species to breed before being caught.
Seed mussel collection is strictly regulated to prevent over-collection and ensure recolonisation of the beds.
Codes of conduct provide safeguards for live wrasse and cuttlefish fisheries, while another protects seabirds from entanglement in nets. Recreational users are encouraged to follow voluntary codes of conduct to minimise their impact on wildlife
Credit: Dorsetwildlifetrust.
