The West Dorset Fossil Collecting Code aims to provide a practical and affordable means of managing collecting within this part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Dapedium partially destroyed by the large swell wave event of the 16th December which uncovered it. Monmouth Beach, Iron ledge Shales, Angulata Zone late Hettangian. Monmouth Beach lies outside the fossil code area, hence no record number but as an identifiable fish from a known horizon, it would be recorded as a category 2 specimen if it were in the code area.
The West Dorset Fossil Collecting Code, adopted in the late 1990s, aims to provide a practical and affordable means of managing collecting within this part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site involving all those with an interest; landowners, conservation agencies, researchers, museums and collectors. A primary purpose is to provide the very best chance for scientifically important fossils to be recovered and recorded rather than destroyed by the sea on this dynamic and rapidly eroding coastline.
The Code has recently been reviewed through a consultation with various stakeholders. As a result of the strong balance of positive endorsements of the Code received, it will remain in operation without fundamental amendment. A plan to improve the implementation of the Code will be drawn up based on the suggestions made by respondents. A list of actions have been identified and will be implemented over the next year. This report was approved by the World Heritage Site Steering Group on March 15th 2012.
Richard Edmonds, Earth Science Manager
