Large population of rare anemone found in sea loch

A huge population of a spectacular and rare anemone has been found in an Argyll sea loch by an environmental group working with local fishermen.

The presence of the scarce firework anemone has long been known about in Loch Shira at Inveraray, which joins with Loch Fyne.

But a new bed of the fascinating creatures, the UK’s largest anemone, has been discovered two miles south of Loch Shira in Loch Fyne.

The creature’s 12in tentacles sprout from a tube more than 3ft long. They eat small matter and plankton.

Howard Wood, chairman of the Community of Arran Seabed Trust, (Coast), said: “Generally they are not very widespread. They are quite choosy about where they live.”

Coast makes regular dives with Sea Search, an organisation which encourages sports divers to survey wildlife.

Sea Search co-ordinator for the west of Scotland Owen Paisley said: “The interesting thing about upper Loch Fyne is the abundance of fireworks anemones. Generally you only come across one or two of them. But there are hundreds. It is probably the most abundant population of them in the west of Scotland.”

Mr Wood keeps in regular contact with local fishermen, asking if they have found anything interesting.

Creel fisherman Alistair Sinclair, who fishes out of Furnace on Loch Fyne, told him about an unusual blob he found in a creel.

Mr Wood said: “Mr Sinclair found something unusual and told us it would be interesting to have a look. Underwater they are spectacular, out of the water they are just a big jelly tube. They are the largest anemone in the UK.

Now they plan to find out more about the Loch Fyne population. Mr Wood said: “This area needs a lot more investigation.”