North Antrim's 'Great Barrier Reef' could be over 5,000 years old

One of those campaigning to have the find designated as a Special Area of Conservation - Joe Breen - said it was imperative the "very special and very unique" site was protected.

Mr Breen described the consistency of the underwater structures as being similar to coral.

Large deposits of maerl can be found in the area which provides the basis for an excellent ecosystem.

As a result there are scores of rare and unique species present, including a rare type of orange starfish not seen anywhere else in Ireland.

The site was first discovered in 1999.

"We always knew something was there but we didn't have the technology at that time to find out what was there," said Mr Breen.

Mr Breen stressed that should the SAC status be granted, the area would remain exactly as it is as present with no visible cordons or obstacles in place in the bay.

"It's not a nature reserve," he said.

"We won't be putting a fence around it.

"We look at the risks to the site and then we manage the risks."

A layer of small organisms and animals live on the surface of the honeycombed structures though below is largely fossilised.

Some of the surface sub-fossil was carbon dated and turned out to be 650 years old.

However, Mr Breen said there was "no reason to think" some of the materials aren't at least 4,000 or 5,000 years old.

The maerl grows just 0.5mm per year and scientists have discovered 251 different species in the area to date,

Among them are young lobsters, prawns and scallops.

Due to the freak tides in the bay divers can visit the site for just 20 minutes per day.

Those same tides are part of the reason the maerl has flourished in the area as they prevent a build up of silt.

Sport divers are therefore unlikely to be attracted to the site given the small window of opportunity to dive in the area.

Mr Breen said there were numerous potential risks to the area including dredging, spoil disposal, bottom trawling, coastal constructions and anchoring.

He said maerl had been extracted in other areas for use in fertiliser and for beauty products.

There are only three other marine Special Areas of Conservation in Northern Ireland at present.

They are Rathlin - largely due to its special reefs and sandbanks - Strangford Lough and Murlough Bay.

A decision will be made on the proposed granting of SAC status shortly.