Current status
The starlet sea anemone occurs in only a few coastal lagoons in the Isle of Wight, Sussex, Hampshire, and in Dorset and along the East Anglian coast. It may also occur in some brackish ponds and ditches.
The species is listed as Vulnerable by IUCN/WCMC and Rare on the GB Red List and is protected under Schedule 5 of the WCA 1981.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Loss and damage to lagoon and other sheltered brackish water habitats caused by pollution, drainage and other activities.
Isolation of pools leading to fragmentation of populations.
Coastal defence works and associated infilling.
Current action
Saline lagoons are a priority habitat under the EC Habitats Directive.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain viable populations at all known localities.
If biologically feasible, re-introduce to 5 sites by the year 2005.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Seek to ensure that sea defence strategies and structures take account of the requirements of the anemone, including opportunities to create brackish lagoons and ditches. (ACTION: NE, LAs, NRA, MAFF)
Site safeguard and management
Maintain and, where possible, increase the amount of brackish lagoon habitat and ditches in occupied areas and in areas within the dispersal range of this species, to encourage expansion of existing colonies. (ACTION: NE, LAs, MAFF, NRA)
Promote the implementation of practices to encourage the formation and development of brackish lagoons and sheltered brackish water habitats at suitable sites. (ACTION: NE, LAs, NRA)
Continue programme to conserve lagoon habitats under the EC Habitats Directive, to benefit this species. (ACTION: DoE, NE, JNCC)
Consider the need to notify sites for this species as SSSI. (ACTION: NE)
Species management and protection
Following feasibility assessment and the identification of suitable sites, seek to re-introduce at least 5 populations to formerly occupied localities, once conditions are suitable. (ACTION: NE)
Advisory
No action proposed.
Future Research and Monitoring
Promote surveys to determine the full extent of the species’ distribution, especially in brackish ponds and ditches. (ACTION: NE)
Seek to identify former sites suitable for re-introduction. (ACTION: NE)
Encourage regular monitoring of existing populations and identify any further threats to the species. (ACTION: NE)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to JNCC or BRC so that it can be incorporated in national databases. (ACTION: NE)
Communications and Publicity
Use this species to highlight the conservation value of lagoons. (ACTION: NE)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Local implementation
The following LBAPs are working on Nematostella vectensis:
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume V: Maritime species and habitats (October 1999, Tranche 2, Vol V, p81)