Habitats

The research and surveys carried out so far show us four major habitats associated with the Yarmouth Pier.

Seabed The sea bed below the pier was shown to be made up of a mixture of sediments with higher proportions of gravel, shell, smaller cobbles and a large amount of debris, which were covered by dense red and brown seaweeds (~85% cover). The debris beneath the pier included old and broken piles, metal bars, fishing tackle, batteries, ammunition and even a mobile phone!
Pier Piles The timber piles are home to various species including seaweed, bryozoan (flustra folicea), crustaceans and molluscs and these are likely to provide a vital source of food for fish. In addition we have also found evidence that the timber piles are being used a nursery habitat as fish eggs, common whelk eggs and dog whelk eggs have all been found attached to the structure.
Water column Large shoals of fish, including Pollack, Pout, Wrasse species and Smelt have been seen beneath the structure. The fish use the pier structure as a shelter from the fast flowing currents which flow through the Solent.
Surrounding habitat The sea bed to the east of the pier was mainly sand and bare clay substratum with few stones and little algae. There is also a seagrass (Zostera marina) bed to the east of the pier and seagrass is a great nursery habitat for many different species of fish. To the west of the pier the sea bed was mostly sand and some gravel, but often with more green algae (Ulva spp.).