Wicklow Reef

Reefs are usually thought to be formed by corals tropical waters, but there are similar structures in the sea off Wicklow Head. These have been found in depths of between 12 and 30 metres(about 35 to 100 feet).

The 'reefs' are constructed by the honeycomb worm, which forms numerous hard tubes from the surrounding sandy sea bed. The reefs are colonised by a whole range of other animal species- sponges, mussels, starfish, barnacles, crabs and many others. Up tp 53 species have been recorded from these high-rise seabed habitats.