THE Jurassic Coast’s long- established Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve is in line to be protected as the most diverse area in a very special seabed.

Dorset’s underwater reefs have been highly rated by Natural England, whose report proposes new inshore Special Areas of Conservation, contributing to a European network of protected sites, known as Natura 2000.

Four sites, three of which are in Dorset, are being proposed as the Poole Bay to Lyme Bay SAC for reef and sea cave habitats.

The Dorset sites selected are the Lyme Bay reefs, recently protected from damaging scallop dredging, the Portland Reefs and the Ringstead Bay to Studland Reefs site.

The proposed areas will give long-awaited protection to the important wildlife and will help protect the livelihoods of local fishermen and tourism.

“This is a real boost for Dorset – national recognition of the richness of the county’s marine wildlife and confirmation of the work that led to the establishment of the voluntary Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve over 30 years ago,” said Peter Tinsley, marine conservation officer.

The report has benefited from information provided by the trust’s many volunteer Seasearch divers who have been cataloguing the seabed for more than 10 years.

“Without their efforts, the full value of Dorset’s biologically and geologically rich seabed may have remained hidden,” he said.

Brian Bleese, the trust’s director of operations, said: “The proposed SAC is vital for marine conservation and Dorset Wildlife Trust looks forward to working with local stakeholders, especially our local inshore fishermen, to ensure that both wildlife and traditional uses of the sea can prosper.”

There will be a formal consultation later this year on the reefs, which support a lucrative shellfish potting fishery, are important for diving and angling and whose wildlife includes the rare pink sea fan coral, colourful sponges and anemones and the spectacular Ross coral and fish including the beautiful cuckoo wrasse.