Skomer MNR owes a lot of its special nature to the influence of the sea; the coast and seabed have been shaped physically by the battering of waves that have been measured at over 13m high and the tidal currents that rip through the sounds at over 20 kph. The warm waters of the Gulf Stream help to keep seawater temperatures higher than they would otherwise be.

Marine life is specialised to cope with all the different environments that result and this is reflected in the huge diversity of shapes and colours encountered underwater in the MNR. Some animals and plants are adapted to living where they are exposed to the crashing waves, some to living where water currents would soon wash away less tenacious creatures and some can tolerate both. Many animals filter feed on the rich food supply carried by currents.

Some species can only live so far north before the sea gets too cold to support them. Others can only live so far south before it gets too warm or other southern species out-compete with them. Skomer MNR is important in that it exists where the ranges of both northern and southern species overlap.

So what does the small team of diving marine biologists at Skomer MNR do?

The main purpose of the MNR team is to ensure that the MNR stays in good condition and to do this we have a range of duties:

Monitoring - we count, measure and examine, by diving and underwater photography, many of the important, rare or sensitive marine species and compare observations with previous years to see what changes are occurring. Such species range from over 70 species of sponges to grey seals, and from the tiny and colourful sea slugs to the graceful and slow-growing seafans.

We also measure things like seawater temperature, salinity and the amount of silt in the water, as all these factors affect marine life.

Research - we carry out or encourage others to carry out studies to answer questions raised by our monitoring.

Liaison - talking to people, whether in partner organisations or individuals to make sure we are all working towards the same ends and to see how we can help each other.

Interpretation - we try to spread the word that sea life in the UK (particularly around Skomer, we think!) is exciting and colourful and how important it is to look after it.

Patrol - we keep an eye on what's happening in the Reserve and make sure that people using it are keeping to the rules. We're also there to give information to visitors.

For more information about Skomer MNR contact:
Phil Newman, Skomer MNR Officer
Tel: (01646) 636736
or e-mail at: skomer.mnr@ccw.gov.uk

You can also find out lots about the Marine Nature Reserve, and lots more about nature and the environment in Wales, on the Countryside Council for Wales' website: www.ccw.gov.uk

Phil Newman.