Turbot Bank

The Turbot Bank is a shelf bank and mound feature of the seabed of the North Sea that lies off the east coast of Scotland, about 44 kilometres (27 mi) east of Peterhead. The depth of water above the bank varies from 60 m below sea level on top of the bank down to 80 m at its margins.[2] It has been designated as a Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area since 2014.[1]

Turbot Bank MPA
The location and extent of the Turbot Bank MPA, shown in red
LocationNorth Sea, Scotland
Coordinates57°23′N 0°53′W
Area251 km2 (97 sq mi)[1]
DesignationScottish Government
Established2014
OperatorMarine Scotland

It is an important habitat for sand eels, small fish of various species that are eaten by seabirds such as Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) and black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), as well as fish such as plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and marine mammals such as dolphins. The bank is particularly associated with Raitt's sand eel (Ammodytes marinus), which live buried in the sand of the bank for months at a time.[2]

See also

References
  1. "SiteLink: Turbot Bank MPA(NC)". Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  2. "Turbot Bank MPA". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 28 November 2019.


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