Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain

The Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain is a Marine Protected Area (MPA) lying to the northeast of Scotland. The MPA, which covers 164 km2 (63 sq mi), lies at the very edge of Scottish offshore waters, close to the maritime boundary with Norway.[1] The seabed of the sediment plain consists of sand and gravel habitats, and lies at a depth of between 80 and 120 metres below sea level.[2] The sea bed supports creatures such as starfish, crabs and ocean quahogs. The latter, which are large and slow growing clams, have a lifespan of more than 400 years and are thus considered to be amongst the oldest living animals on Earth.[3]

Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain MPA
The location and extent of the Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain MPA, shown in red off the east coast of Scotland.
LocationNorth Sea, Scotland
Coordinates58°05′N 1°43′E
Area16,400 ha (63 sq mi)[1]
DesignationScottish Government
Established2014
OperatorMarine Scotland

References
  1. "SiteLink: Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain MPA(NC)". NatureScot. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  2. "Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain MPA". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  3. "Norwegian Boundary Sediment Plain Marine Protected Area Summary" (PDF). Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
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