The Government is pressing ahead with its
plans to create Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) to protect the UK’s
rich marine environment, Natural Environment Minister Richard Benyon
announced today.
A consultation outlining the proposals for the first set of sites has
been launched today, and will give coastal communities and those with
an interest in the marine environment, the opportunity to have a say in
its future.
The Government is proposing to designate around 10,900 km2
of marine habitat in the first phase next year. The 31 proposed sites
provide a home to a variety of animals and plants, such as corals,
jellyfish and seahorses. The area, roughly three times the size of
Cornwall, will mean these are all given greater protection.
Launching the consultation, Richard Benyon said:
“The UK has one of the world’s richest marine environments, and we
need to make sure it stays that way. This is why we are creating a
network of marine protected areas.
“We have to get this right. Designating the right sites in the right
places, so that our seas are sustainable, productive and healthy, and to
ensure that the right balance is struck between conservation and
industry.
“We have carefully considered the evidence, and these 31 sites are the ones that are suitable to be designated next year.”
The proposed sites will to contribute to a network of marine
protected areas and will complement the 8.4% of UK waters and 24% of
English inshore waters already within protected areas.
The consultation will seek views on proposals for the designation of
MCZs in English inshore and English and Welsh offshore waters.
It presents an opportunity for those with an interest to make their
views known, and to submit any new evidence that should be considered
and includes proposals on how the proposed sites will be treated.
The consultation also provides clarification on:
- reference areas. These will not be included in the first phase but will be subject to further review; and
- the treatment of MCZs at different stages in the designation process in licensing decisions. To assist developers in the marine area we have clarified how we consider that developments should be treated in or near MCZs so that economic growth is not inhibited unnecessarily.
Designating MCZs to contribute to a network of Marine Protected Areas
is a Government commitment under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
to ensure that our marine environment is protected for years to come.
Notes
The consultation will run until 31 March 2013 and can be found here: www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2012/12/13/marine-conservation-zones-1212/.
Four stakeholder-led Regional MCZ Projects were established to
recommend the possible sites: Irish Seas Conservation Zones (Irish
Seas), Finding Sanctuary (South West waters), Balanced Seas (South East
waters) and Net Gain (North Sea) managed by the Statutory Nature
Conservation Bodies (the SNCBs: Natural England and the Joint Nature
Conservation Committee). These brought together stakeholders with
interests in marine industries, marine ecology and conservation, and the
regulators.
The final reports from the Regional MCZ Projects can be viewed here: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/2080291.
The SNCB advice can be viewed here: www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/marine/mpa/mcz/advice.aspx.
