Fal & Helford Marine Protected Area

The Red Seaweed, Maerl and the flowering plant Seagrass photographed by Angela Gall just two of the magical underwater species found in the Fal and Helford

Welcome

To the Fal and Helford Marine Protected Area page.

Find out how you can enjoy these beautiful estuaries and minimise your impact upon the wildlife and protected habitats here. Learn what others are doing, and share your ideas to create a network of important engagement between passionate individuals.

We would love to hear your views and answer questions on this beautiful marine environment.

We have recently published the Fal and Helford SAC Patterns of Recreational Use Survey 2024. This study helps us understand where recreational activities are affecting the precious habitats and helps us to better protect the special wildlife of the Fal and Helford SAC.

Watch this new film about St Mawes harbour Marine life.
Here

The Red Seaweed, Maerl and the flowering plant Seagrass photographed by Angela Gall just two of the magical underwater species found in the Fal and Helford

Welcome

To the Fal and Helford Marine Protected Area page.

We would love to hear your views and answer questions on this beautiful marine environment.

Watch this new film about St Mawes harbour Marine life.
Here

New Interpretation Boards for the Helford

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The Interpretation boards situated around the Helford River are being replaced by this design funded by the Special Area of Conservation S106 fund. The objective is to have similar in strategic paces around the Fal and Truro River too. Raising awareness of the marine life and how we can all take care of it.
Falmouth Harbour's New Sensitive Seabed Awareness Signs

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Falmouth Harbour Commissioners have introduced Sensitive Seabed notices on their 4 knot port notices off the Falmouth Beaches-Castle, Gyllyngvase, Swanpool and Maenporth. They are also in use at Anthony and on St Mawes Bank. These highlight where there is either Seagrass or Maerl bed and extra care is to be taken when deciding where to anchor. For advice on Good Anchoring Practice here is information from the RYA
Helford Estuary Patrol Volunteers

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The Helford estuary volunteers patrol boat keeps an eye on the beaches to make sure no one is anchoring on the main seagrass bed between Grebe Rock and Toll point, picks up litter and flotsam on the water, engages with boat users about the local wildlife, and asks anyone breaking the beach safety six knot byelaw that protects other water users to slow down. The boat is loaned to the Helford Marine conservation Group by the Port of Truro and supported and funded by the Fal and Helford Estuary Officer.
Here is information on the Helford Voluntary Marine Conservation Area