Our crab survey, led by Kimmeridge volunteer Val Fogarty, is monitoring the increase in a new arrival to Dorset’s shores, the furrowed (or Montagu’s) crab, and any potential impact on the edible crab population. Since the survey started in 2021, we have recorded an annual increase in furrowed crab numbers, a native to southwest England, which is increasing further west at an incredible rate.

Peacock’s tail seaweed, Padina pavonica, is a warmer water species at the northern edge of its range in Britain and a feature of the Purbeck Coast Marine Conservation Zone. The aim of the survey is to record any changes in abundance of this nationally scarce species.