Google Earth submerges

For Britain, Natural England has provided material gathered at 43 sites around the country, featuring such organisms as protected basking sharks, corals and seahorses.

Included is North Devon's statutory Lundy Island reserve, with its 1.25sq mile area in which fishing is banned, allowing marine life to regenerate.

The new element of Google Earth Outreach will also feature video streams, photo galleries and stories related to work in the reserves.

It is early days in the site's development, so expect a gradually improving service.

To view underwater marine reserves, go to Google Earth Outreach via www.earth.google.com, download the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) layer and click on an MPA icon of choice.

Options are then the selection of video links, photo gallery or stories.