In short, one is relatively benign - MPAs,
However, MCZs are a different kettle of fish. Unlike farming where the land is worked on a rotation system - which would be akin to closing an area for one or two years, MCZs seek to permanently deprive the fishing industry of certain areas.
Off Land's End, one such area provides a sizable percentage of the ground worked every year by the local crabbing fleet - to deprive them of the ground on a permanent basis would be hugely damaging to their business.
This is where dialogue betwen the industry, other marine users and the government need to be realistic and pragmatic based on sound evidence that these areas can be managed to the benefit of all.
What is an MPA?
A Marine Protected Area (MPA) is often defined as any area of intertidal or subtidal terrain, together with its overlaying water and associated fauna, flora, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment (Kelleher and Kenchington, 1992). However, other definitions of MPAs exist.Kelleher, G.G., and R.A. Kenchington. 1992. Guidelines for Establishing Marine Protected Areas. A Marine Conservation and Development Report. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, vii + 79 pp.
What is an MCZ?
The Marine and Coastal Access Act was approved by the House of Lords on November 11th and received Royal Assent on November 12th, 2009. It contains provisions for the creation of a new type of Marine Protected Area (MPA) in England, called a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). MCZs will protect nationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology and geomorphology and can be designated anywhere in English inshore and UK offshore waters. In English inshore and English, Welsh and Northern Irish offshore waters, MCZs will be identified through the Marine Conservation Zone Project. In Welsh inshore waters there will be a small number of MCZs afforded a high level of protection. Sites will be selected to protect not just the rare and threatened, but the range of marine wildlife.
Are there different types of MPA?
The type of Marine Protected Area (MPA) depends on the legislative measure in place to provide protection to the marine species and habitats that occur in them. Sites may be protected as part of European or national legislation. MPAs designated as part of the European Natura 2000 network and referred to collectively as European Marine Sites (EMS) are Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs). SACs, in addition to SPAs and Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs) are protected by statutory obligations. The UK also has voluntary MPAs such as Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas (VMCAs) and Voluntary Marine Nature Reserves (VMNRs). In addition, there are areas closed to fishing using bottom trawling and static gear to protect deep-water corals, such as the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) closed areas at Hatton and Rockall Banks.What was the first MPA?
Lundy, situated in the Bristol Channel was Britain’s first Marine Protected Area (MPA). A voluntary marine nature reserve was established around the island in 1971.Why do we need MPAs?
Many human activities are damaging or cause disturbance to marine habitats, species and ecosystem processes. This damage can affect the supply of ecosystem goods and services that marine biodiversity provides us with. These include regulating the earth's climate, cycling nutrients, recreation, and providing raw materials such as oil and gas, aggregates and food. Therefore it is very important to protect and conserve the marine environment and thereby safeguard our natural heritage for future generations to enjoy. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) provide a practical and significant contribution to the recovery and conservation of marine species and habitats. The best available scientific information tells us that we must establish MPA networks across 20 to 30 percent of our seas and oceans. Networks must be representative in terms of different ecosystems, habitats and communities and may have different uses and levels of protection within them, but all should include reserves or no take zones (NTZs). When MPAs are designed as a network and supported by wider environment management measures, they promote the recovery and conservation of ecosystem structure and function.How many MPAs are there?
A range of legislative measures are already in place to provide protection to important marine species and habitats. We currently have 207 marine protected areas in UK waters, which include:- 107 Special Protections Areas (SPAs) with marine habitats for birds,
- 94 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) with marine habitats or species,(83 inshore, 9 offshore,2 inshore and offshore). This includes 18 SACs currently in 'candidate' stage.
- 3 statutory Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs) : Lundy MNR, Skomer MNR and Strangford Lough MNR.
- 2 no take zones : Lamlash Bay on the east coast of Arran, and around Lundy in Devon.
- 1 Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) around Lundy in Devon.
- In England there are also 28 SSSIs that are not part of SACs but have marine features
