Funding boost to aid Allonby Bay marine life protection
The HPMA covers about three miles from Allonby to Bank End Farm and extends approximately three and a half miles out to sea.Mr Harper's role is to work with local people and businesses to bring a greater understanding of what the designation means and how they can benefit from it.He said: "This is an area that's seen as almost pristine - it is really bio-diverse and ecologically important."It is home to sea squirts, anemones, cuttlefish, plaice, skate, thornback rays and reef-building honeycomb worms which are usually only found in Cumbria."
As part of the project, Cumberland Coastal School will be working with the trust organising events for children to learn about the coast and the protected area.Rosie De Mello, the trust's west coast community officer, said: "Cumbria has three sides sea and we need to highlight that to the younger generation and encourage them to protect it."Mr Harper added: "This is going to be used as a benchmark for any other HPMA."
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