Seven Sisters Voluntary Marine Conservation Area
Velvet swimmer crab - Sussex Marine Life
The Seven Sisters Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (SSVMCA) is one of the few remaining lengths of undeveloped coast in South East England. The magnificent chalk cliffs are matched by a secret underwater world of chalk ridges and gullies. The area stretches from the Martello Tower at Seaford to the Wish Tower at Eastbourne, and stretches from the cliff top out to sea for 2km. It was set up firstly to protect the marine environment but also to facilitate education, research and recreation.
Hermit crab - Sussex Marine Life
At the base of the cliffs and at the mouth of the Cuckmere river are shingle beaches. As the tide goes out, it reveals a rocky platform, carved into rock pools and channels by the action of the sea. East of Beachy Head there is older, harder sandstone as well as soft chalk ridges. This area between land and sea is a tough place to live, and only special plants and animals like barnacles, crabs, snails and seaweeds can survive the exposure and cold and crashing waves.
Hermit crab - Kate Cole
Below the low tide mark, the gullies become deeper and for crevasses that cut through shallow chalk reefs, supporting a rich and diverse marine life of shellfish, anemones, sponges and fish. Further out to sea massive blocky sandstone reefs and shipwrecks are surrounded by miles of sand and pebble seabed. The reefs and wrecks attract huge shoals of fish and support special animal communities. Rays and flatfish glide over the sand feeding on the rich sea life. Rock pools are exposed at low water and are fascinating to explore, but please remember to follow the seashore code.
Limpet - Kate Cole
Make sure that you check tide times before you go - in some places the sea will come right up to the cliffs at high tide. Take care on the rocks, especially low on the shore where the gullies are deep and often hidden by slippery mats of seaweed. There are access points along the shore via footpaths or public spaces at the eastern end of Seaford Beach, Hope Gap (via Seaford Head Nature Reserve), Cuckmere Haven (via Seven sisters Country Park), Birling Gap and the western end of Eastbourne seafront.
Shanny - Patrick Fitsimmons
The importance of this piece of coastline has long been recognised. It has been protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its wildlife and geology since 1953, as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) since 1966, and as the UK's first Heritage Coast since 1973. However, none of these protections extend beyond the low water mark. Underwater surveys in the 1980s revealed rich and exciting marine habitats and wildlife on the shore and underwater. Local communities and organisations all agreed that these largely unseen marine riches also deserved special recognition, and so the SSVMCA was born.
Shore crab - Patrick Fitzsimmons
SSVMCA Code of Conduct
Please use only use only approved or designated access points and parking places.
Beware of unfamiliar beach litter - contact the coastguard (999) if you find any suspicious looking objects.
The cliffs can be very dangerous - keep away from their foot and edge.
If walking below the cliffs between Cow Gap and Birling Gap, or Cuckmere Haven and Birling Gap, check the tide tables, do not go alone, wear stout shoes and let someone know where you're going.
Marine wildlife is very precious, so please
- Take photos, not live specimens
- Avoid trampling and disturbance
- Carefully replace any overturned rocks to their orginal position
Remember this is a beautiful and unspoiled area. Local people depend on it for their livelihoods, tourists come to enjoy it. Please respect the area as well as the interests of the users and visitors.
The Government is currently in the process of developing a Marine Bill which will help protect these important marine areas.
