Morecambe Bay
Largest tributaries
Acipenseriformes - Sturgeons and Paddlefish
Syngnathiformes - Pipefishes and Seahorses
Anguilliformes - Eels and morays
Salmoniformes - Salmons and Trouts
Moroniformes - Temperate basses
Mugiliformes - Mullets
Clupeiformes - Herrings
Perciformes - Perches
Spariformes - Breams and porgies
Beloniformes - Needlefishes
Labriformes - Wrasses
Scombriformes - Mackerels
Scorpaeniformes - Mail-cheeked fishes
Gadiformes - Cods
Mulliformes - Goatfishes
Gobiiformes - Gobies
Carangiformes - Jacks
Pleuronectiformes - Flatfishes
Trachiniformes - Weeverfishes
Aulopiformes - Grinners
Blenniiformes - Blennies
Lamniformes - Mackerel sharks
Carcharhiniformes - Ground sharks
Torpediniformes - Electric rays
Rajiformes - Skates and rays
Orectolobiformes - Carpet shark
Osmeriformes - Smelts
Chimaeriformes - Chimaeras
Squatiniformes - Angelsharks
Hexanchiformes - Six-gill sharks
Rhinopristiformes - Shovelnose rays
Myxiniformes - Hagfishes
Myliobatiformes - Stingrays
Zeiformes - Dories
Tetraodontiformes - Puffers and filefishes
Dactylopteriformes - Flying gurnards
Lampriformes - Lamprids
Squaliformes - Sleeper and dogfish sharks
Lophiiformes - Anglerfishes
Acanthuriformes - Surgeonfishes
Cyprinodontiformes - Toothcarps
Notacanthiformes - Spiny eels
Saccopharyngiformes - Swallowers and Gulpers
Argentiniformes - Marine smelts
Myctophiformes - Lanternfishes
Beryciformes - Sawbellies
Ophidiiformes - Cusk-eels
Acropomatiformes - Oceanic basses
Atheriniformes - Silversides
Callionymiformes - Dragonets
Gasterosteiformes - Sticklebacks
Gobiesociformes - Clingfishes
Morecambe Bay is an estuary in northwest England, just to the south of the Lake District National Park. It is the largest expanse of intertidal mudflats and sand in the United Kingdom, covering a total area of 120 sq mi (310 km2). In 1974, the second largest gas field in the UK was discovered 25 mi (40 km) west of Blackpool, with original reserves of over 7 trillion cubic feet (tcf) (200 billion cubic metres).
The rivers Leven, Kent, Keer, Lune and Wyre drain into the Bay, with their various estuaries making a number of peninsulas within the bay. Much of the land around the bay is reclaimed, forming salt marshes used in agriculture. The bay is known for its wildlife populations, being a Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and there is a bird observatory at Walney Island. Some of the surrounding land is also a protected area, forming the Morecambe Bay Pavements, home to rare butterflies such as the high brown fritillary. The bay has rich cockle beds, which have been fished by locals for generations.