Faroe–Shetland Channel

Nature and conservation

• The Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt MPA covers in an region of sea where the mixing of relatively warmer North Atlantic water with sub-zero deep water from the Norwegian Sea leads to a diverse range of sea life in the area, including fields of slow-growing deep-sea sponges that are a key feature of the MPA designation. The sponges, which are found on the slopes of the channel at depths of between 400 and 600 m, provide a sheltered habitat that supports creatures such as brittlestars, squat lobsters and burrowing heart urchins. Sand and gravel beds within the channel also support ocean quahog, a large and slow growing clam which have a lifespan of more than 400 years and are thus considered to be amongst the oldest living animals on Earth.
• The North-east Faroe-Shetland Channel MPA covers at the far northern edge of Scotland's sea area. This part of the channel is considered to be an important migratory route for marine mammals such as fin and sperm whales. This part of the channel is also of note for its geological features, which include a series of deep-water mud volcanoes known as the pilot whale diapirs.

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