Crossword Genius

Sea area with fish, not without duck (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

solent

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'sea area' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'fish not without duck' is the wordplay.
'fish' becomes 'sole' (sole is a kind of fish).
'without' is a deletion indicator.
'duck' becomes 'o' (resembles zero - 'duck' in cricket).
'not' with 'o' taken out is 'nt'.
'sole'+'nt'='SOLENT'

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for solent that I've seen before include "Channel N. of IOW" , "Channel separating Hampshire from the Isle of Wight" , "stretch of water" , "sound" , "South coast channel" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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