Pink sea fan

Pink sea fans are marine animals forming erect, flattened, branched colonies. The pink sea fan attaches itself to rocky substrata at depths below 10m in areas where there are moderately strong tidal currents.

The pink sea fan can grow up to 50cm tall and vary between a deep pink and white in colour.

Pink sea fans are distributed in the south west of the UK and have been recorded in the seas off Plymouth.

The pink sea fan is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). This protection means that it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly harm or disturb any pink sea fan. They are protected against killing, injuring or taking; possession or control; damage or destruction of their places of shelter; disturbance while such animals are occupying places of shelter; sale, possession or transport for the purpose of sale and advertising the buying or selling of such animals.

For more information visit The Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN).