Giant goby  (Gobius cobitis)

In 1992, giant gobies were absent from one site in south Devon and one from south Cornwall, which are parts of the historic range. It was assumed that the species was in decline, but the species was recorded again in the south Cornwall site in 1998. Although there is no evidence that the species is endangered in the UK, it seems likely that it is vulnerable to human disturbance due to the recreational pressures on the shore habitat (4).

In 1998 the species was added to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (3). Under this Act it is an offence to kill, injure, take or sell giant gobies, or to damage or destroy any structure or place used by an individual for shelter or protection (3). Furthermore, it is included in English Nature's Species Recovery Programme.