Access the map of marine conservation zones from the link at end of article.
Today has seen the release of proposals to protect 127 core marine wildlife sites around the coast of England. Ranging in size from 22 acres at a site off the Dorset coast to a massive 2,240 square mile site in the western Channel the new marine conservation zones aims to ensure that our marine biodiversity stays healthy.
Four regional groups proposed the marine conservation zones.
Four regional groups took part in drawing up the network of marine conservation zones and they will now be reviewed by a panel of marine scientists and ecologists at Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). The independent panel will then make recommendations on the levels of protection based on scientific research.
The regional groups were made up of representatives from all the sea users ranging from industry through to recreational users and conservation groups. The four regional groups were:
- Net Gain – covering the eastern coastal waters,
- Balanced Seas – covering the south eastern coastal waters,
- Finding Sanctuary – covering the south western coast and the Channel,
- Irish Sea Conservation Zones – covering the north west coast.
The range of protection that could be assigned depending on the scientific review could range from total protection that prevents any type of commercial activity or development – so called reference areas – to regions that will allow controlled fishing and recreational boating activities.
Conservation zones covers coastal and open water together with tidal regions.
The new zones do not cover just open water but also mudflats and coastal marshes. Some of the UK’s rarest plants and animals will gain from the proposed zones included the much loved short snout seahorse found at Studland Bay. The seahorses are a popular attraction at Studland with divers and snorkellers. A question arises over whether these diving activities will still be able to take place if the Bay receives the full protection and becomes a reference area because of the rarity of the seahorses around the UK coast.
The new proposals stem from the 2009 Marine Conservation Bill and the final decision over the levels of protection for each area will probably be made towards the end of 2012 after the public consultation part following on from the scientific panels presentation of the final proposals. Rhe recommendations of the marine scientists are due out in October this year.
Upto 25% of England’s coastal waters proposed to be protected.
This is a major step forward in marine conservation for the UK as currently there is a minute amount of coastal waters under protection. If all the proposed zones are acceptable to the scientific panel and pass the public consultation then almost a quarter of England territorial waters will be under some form of protection.
This has to be good for both wildlife and the industries such as fishing that rely on a healthy and vibrant marine environment. One of the things that we do know about the marine environment is that it responds very quickly to protection methods – much more quickly than land based conservation. Around the world no-take zones have led to more sustainable fishing as the zones provide essential nursery grounds for fish to breed and replenish stock levels. While some coastal trawlermen may find the new zones intimidating at first they will soon discover the benefits within a few years – provided the quota system is sorted out and catches do not have to be discarded. Sadly trawlermen from one of the regions have already said they will not support the no-take reference areas in their region.
Enforcement of marine conservation zones need to be addressed.
While the proposals are good news for our marine ecology the new zones will need to be protected and with a tight reign on spending at the moment that will be a problem. The sea grass beds of Studland Bay is already a well protected area and it is supposed to be illegal for boats to anchor in the zone but with no enforcement officers around the Bay during the summer is almost like a marina with so many yachts and boats illegally anchoring.
Having 25% of the coastal waters of the UK protected as marine conservation zones may look good on paper but without any enforcement then they may as well not exist. Who is going to enforce the zones and where are they going to get the money from to put people on the ground?
The new marine conservation zones are not evenly spread around the coast, almost half the new zone are found off the south-west coast and in the Channel. Wales and Scotland are expected to announce their marine conservation zones later this year.
External sites:
JNCC Marine Conservation Zone Project,
Net Gain,
Balanced Seas,
Finding Sanctuary,
Irish Sea Conservation Zones.
Marine Conservation Zone Map.
