Mutsu bay (15140)
Japan, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Mutsu bay
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.9833, Longitude: 140.9667
System: marine, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 101.63769
Protected area coverage (%): 97.66
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is the sea area, southward from Yakeyamazaki, Saimura Village of Shimokita Peninsula and Takanozaki, Imabetsumachi Town of Tsugaru Peninsula. The whole coastline is about 46 km, and the bay area is about 1,660 km2, with average water depth of 38 m, mostly sandy beach with some reefs. A small tidal flat appears at Ashizaki, Ohminato Bay, Mutsu City in the north of Mutsu Bay, and at Asadokorokaigan coast, Hirauchimachi Town in the south of Mutsu Bay.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 50 | |
| Marine Neritic | 50 |