Why is the marine life off St Abbs and Eyemouth so rich & varied? It’s all about location! There are no large estuaries, cities or industrial areas in the vicinity so the sea is clean and clear. In addition, the area receives both cold Arctic and warm Gulf Stream currents and so Arctic wolf-fish may be found living here next to Mediterranean cup corals.
On top of this the geology provides rocky reefs for marine life to attach to and the currents that sweep the area bring with them a constant supply of fresh food. All these factors combine together so it is not surprising that the sea is teeming with marine life both above and beneath the waves.
Above the waves
There is an enormous amount of marine wildlife that spends a lot of time above the waves where it can be discovered and enjoyed without even having to get wet! There are several places along the Marine Reserve where the rockpooling is excellent and the shore easy to access. The Berwickshire Coastal footpath runs the whole length of the Reserve (and beyond) and offers fantastic panoramic views of the inshore waters where marine mammals can be spotted. It also leads you right to the high cliffs and stacks at St Abb’s Head where you can marvel at the spectacle of literally tens of thousands of breeding seabirds.
Seashore
Marine Mammals
Seabirds
Beneath the waves
The outstanding scenery and wildlife of the Berwickshire coastline extends much further than a coastal walker might imagine. The cliffs may stand 100m high in places but they also extend up to another 30m below the sea. And if anything, their shape and form is even more dramatic than on land and their wildlife even richer. Because the water of the Berwickshire coast is so clean and clear there is enough light in the shallows for marine plants to flourish. However, deeper than 8m the light starts to fade and the seaweeds start to peter out. This does not however leave a barren landscape devoid of all life. Instead, the animal kingdom comes into its own and all sorts of out-of-this-world life forms carpet the reefs.
