Seals, dolphins, minke whales and many other species live in the area covered by the proposed West of Scotland deep sea marine reserve

Europe’s largest marine reserve has been proposed off the Outer Hebrides.

The Scottish government has opened a public consultation on the West of Scotland deep sea marine reserve, which would cover 41,611 square miles of vulnerable habitats including coral reefs and seamounts, or extinct volcanoes.

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), whose scientists have been among those surveying the habitats, said it would be Europe’s largest marine protected area (MPA). The consultation says: “The deep seas around Scotland are home to some of the most vulnerable habitats and species on Earth. Deep-sea ecosystems provide a range of benefits to society including nutrient cycling and carbon storage.”

Three telecommunications cables cross the site and under MPA rules operators would be asked to minimise the potential harm