127 Marine Conservation Zones were recommended to government from around the UK, five of which are around the Isle of Wight.
One on those zones is ‘Norris/Ryde’ so perhaps this answers the question of why Osborne Bay has a protected area. Without entering into the debate as to whether boats can moor in the bay it certainly needs some kind of protection with the diverse and irreplaceable species that are under the water.
Important wildlife site
Osborne beach was left undisturbed for many years. Today, the shallow waters are an important wildlife site containing beds of Eelgrass (Zostera), shore crabs, two spot gobies and deep nosed pipefish. Yellow buoys mark an exclusion zone for boats which may hope to visit.
A narrow strip of vegetated shingle has been roped off. A combination of fine sand and rotted seagrass is easily eroded. This area is also home to the marsh-mallow plant (Althaea officinalis), which is indigenous to Africa.
Other recommended zones
Four other recommended Conservation Zones around the shores of Wight are: Yarmouth to Cowes, The Needles, St. Catherine’s Point and Bembridge which hosts exceptional diversity in its rocky reefs.
Amongst the species at Bembridge are sponges, anemones and corals and it is the only known location of the rare seaweed, Mearl, in this region.
Deep seagrass beds inhabit the lagoons here which are the home to stalked jellyfish and seahorses. Where the soft mud is thick, to the north of the site, spoonworms find a home.
Join the campaign
At the moment there is a campaign to support the network of the proposed Conservation Zones anyone interested can contact The Hampshire& Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust for details.
