Marine Management Organisation launches consultation on four of England’s Marine Protected Areas

UK Marine Protected Area network statistics JNCC calculates statistics for the whole of the UK Marine Protected Area (MPA) network to assess progress in MPA designation.

UK waters Key information:

 

UK waters: delimited by the UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the UK Continental Shelf; 

inshore – waters between the coast (defined by mean high water (springs)) and the UK Territorial Sea limit (up to 12 nautical miles from charted baseline); 

offshore – waters between the UK Territorial Sea limit and the UK Exclusive Economic Zone or UK continental shelf. 

MPA designation types included: Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) with marine components, Special Protection Areas (SPAs) with marine components, Nature Conservation MPAs and national MPAs in Scotland.

Some MPAs cross the inshore/offshore boundary and contribute to both the inshore and offshore MPA counts. The total number of MPAs should be read from the 'All UK waters' row only, not summed from the inshore and offshore MPA counts.

Area calculations in Projected Coordinate System: European Terrestrial Reference System 1989 Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area (EPSG: 3035), using transformations: OSGB 1936 to ETRS89 (OSTN15 EPSG:7709) and ETRS89 to WGS 84 (1) (EPSG:1149).

MPA boundaries were cut to mean high water mark (mean high water springs in Scotland) to exclude terrestrial areas, using OSMasterMap data for Eng/Wal/Scot and OSNI 2008 1:50,000 for Northern Ireland.

Area/percentage figures refer only to the whole of MPAs – they are not refined to management zones within MPAs.

English inshore waters contain 157 MPAs covering 51% of this region (26,126 km2). English offshore waters contain 40 MPAs covering 37% of this region (66,507 km2). Altogether, there are 178 MPAs covering 40% of English inshore and offshore waters combined (92,633 km2).

The next phase in the Government’s ambitious plans for a ‘Blue Belt’ of marine protected areas around the UK’s seas has begun with the Marine Management Organisation’s (MMO) formal consultation to protect four of England’s 40 offshore Marine Protected Areas.

Now that the UK has left the EU, the UK Government has powers to implement evidenced based marine management that will help ensure our seas are managed sustainably, protecting both the long-term future of the fishing industry and our precious wildlife and habitats.

Marine Protected Areas are designated areas of the ocean which include habitats and species essential for healthy, functioning marine eco-systems. The purpose of a Marine Protected Area is to protect and enhance rare, threatened and important habitats and species from damage caused by activities that take place within it.

The MMO is consulting on byelaws being proposed under new powers introduced under the Fisheries Act, the UK’s first major domestic fisheries legislation in nearly 40 years. These byelaws aim to prohibit fishing activities in Marine Protected Areas where there is evidence that they harm wildlife or damage habitats. The proposed byelaws seek to prohibit the use of bottom towed fishing gear in all four sites and additional restrictions for static gears over sensitive features in two of the sites.

The consultation runs from 1 February 2021 to 28 March 2021 and follows a call for evidence, which closed in December 2020, where the MMO sought additional evidence and views on the draft assessments and management options for the four offshore Marine Protected Areas.

These first four Marine Protected Areas were chosen as a priority to help protect their vibrant and productive undersea environments, and include the Dogger Bank Special Area of Conservation, which has the largest shallow sandbank in British waters and supports commercial fish species such cod and plaice, as well as sand eels that provide an important food source for kittiwakes, puffins and porpoises.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

Now that we have left the Common Fisheries Policy, we are able to deliver on our commitment to achieve a healthy, thriving and sustainable marine environment.

The UK has already established an impressive ‘Blue Belt’ covering 38% of our waters and our Fisheries Act has provided us with additional powers to go further to protect our seas around England.

This proposal to introduce byelaws to safeguard four of our precious offshore Marine Protected Areas shows how we are putting these powers into action.

Action is already being taken to tackle unsustainable activities within England’s seas, with management measures introduced in many inshore sites through byelaws introduced by both MMO and the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities.

Tom McCormack, Chief Executive Officer of MMO, said:

This consultation is a big step forward in agreeing measures that will help protect and revive important marine habitats, vital to the unique and vibrant marine life that live within them.

We are ambitious for England’s seas and want to hear as many views as possible in order to create benefits for people and the economy, while protecting our precious marine environment for future generations.

The MMO is seeking views on proposed byelaws for the following four offshore Marine Protected Areas:

Dogger Bank Special Area of Conservation (East of England)

Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge Special Area of Conservation (The Wash approaches, off the Lincolnshire and North Norfolk coasts)

South Dorset Marine Conservation Zone (South West – Dorset)

The Canyons Marine Conservation Zone (South West – Offshore)

The MMO will announce its plan for engagement on the management of non-licensable activities, including anchoring for recreational vessels, for the Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone on the Dorset coast later this month.

Background: The formal consultation runs from 1 February until 28 March 2021.

This follows a call for evidence, which ran from 28 October until 15 December 2020.

Neil Hornby has taken over as the new CEO of CEFAS

Neil Hornby has taken over as the new CEO of CEFAS (Center for Environmental Sciences, Fisheries and Aquaculture), the UK scientific body. 

Following the retirement of Tom Karsten earlier this year, Defra has appointed Neil Hornby as the new Chief Executive of Cefas. Neil will take up his new post in January 2021. Until then Tim Green will continue as Interim Chief Executive. Neil Hornby is currently the Director of Marine and Fisheries in Defra, a post he has held since 2016.

Neil Hornby said: 

"It is an enormous privilege to be appointed as Cefas Chief Executive. It is an exciting time to be joining Cefas as the UK takes on responsibility for managing our fisheries and we continue to strengthen our leading role in protecting the marine environment around the world. Science and analysis will be at the heart of this and I’m look forwarding to working with everyone in Cefas to make the most of the opportunities ahead."

Welcoming Neil’s appointment, Director General for Environment Rural and Marine David Hill said: 

"I’m delighted that Neil will be the new CEO of Cefas. He brings a wealth of experience in marine and fisheries to the role, and will provide great leadership to Cefas’ mission to deliver the highest quality marine science."

The main challenge facing the new head of CEFAS will be to ensure that the research centre continues to provide the UK government with the science and “benchmark” evidence necessary to support the achievement of government objectives for animal health, fisheries and marine environment, explains the Government. An objective that, after the 'Brexit', acquires even more relevance.

The Government also highlights that 2021 will be a "super year" for ocean science and global action to protect the ocean. "CEFAS has a great opportunity to contribute to the government's efforts to ensure greater international ambition to protect our ocean," says the Government, which mentions the presidency of the UK G7 and in the Convention on Biological Diversity in China and the COP26 in Glasgow.

Brexit border delays for meat and seafood exports: EFRA Committee launch urgent inquiry

Exports of seafood and meat products to the EU have been disrupted since the end of the transition period on January 1st, with businesses of all sizes reporting losing money and trade due to bureaucratic border processes. Following a briefing by Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice, the House of Commons EFRA Committee today launch an inquiry into how the Government can support meat and fish exporters. 

• Inquiry: Brexit border delays for meat and fish exporters  

• Read the letter: Chair to Secretary of State

• Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Calling for a swift response from Defra, the Committee have also written to Mr Eustice, calling for answers on Defra's £23 million compensation fund for fish exporters. The letter asks for the Department to set out the arrangements which will help businesses access much-needed financial support quickly. The Committee also ask for estimates of the cost to date to UK food businesses caused by border issues and delays.

The broader inquiry, which will now begin accepting written evidence, will explore both long- and short-term action plans for exports to the EU, whilst also scrutinising the Government's immediate response to disruptions over the past month. The Committee is also asking questions of the UK's preparedness for checking food imports from the EU later this year, and what lessons have been learnt from the last month.

Chair's comments Neil Parish MP, Chair of the EFRA Committee, said:

"A month of delays, disruption and red tape have meant food export businesses large and small have lost many tens of thousands of pounds. This needs to be gripped by the Government at the highest level before businesses go to the wall.

"While news of the compensation fund for fish is welcome, we need details, and fast. It's time for the Government to get its act together and set out short, medium and long-term action plans for how it will support British food exporters. It is also clear that systems need to be streamlined, businesses supported, and mitigation plans made ahead of upcoming checks on food imports."

The Committee is seeking answers to the following questions, with an initial deadline of February 19th:

• Which seafood and meat exports have been particularly affected by border delays and disruptions since 1 January, and why? 
• What impact have delays and non-tariff barriers to seafood and meat exports to the EU had on UK businesses? 
• What are the medium to long-term implications of the non-tariff barriers for UK exporters and supply chains? 
• What steps should the UK Government take to mitigate these issues? What should its short and long-term priorities for action be? 
• How useful and responsive were the guidance and support provided by the Government to business, before and since 1 January? 
• What can the UK learn from other countries who export food to the EU? 
• How ready is the UK to introduce checks on food imports from the EU during 2021, and are there lessons to be learnt from the issues that UK exporters have faced?

Where are the Newlyn fleet today?

 

Check out this list of vessels that work from or are based in Newlyn and see their position at 06:00 UTC.

Seafood Scotland Appoint Brexit Specialist Team

Brexit specialists hired to help seafood businesses tackle post-Brexit EU exporting issues.

A crack team of exporting consultants has been appointed by Seafood Scotland in a bid to help tackle the raft of post-Brexit administration issues which have had a debilitating impact on trade to Europe over the last 4 weeks. Seafood Scotland Appoint Brexit Specialist Team Brexit specialists hired to help seafood businesses tackle post-Brexit EU exporting issues

A crack team of exporting consultants has been appointed by Seafood Scotland in a bid to help tackle the raft of post-Brexit administration issues which have had a debilitating impact on trade to Europe over the last 4 weeks.

With sector resilience already weakened by a year of Covid-19 restrictions and the French border closure over the crucial Christmas trading period, the fallout from the administration problems caused by changes in regulations post January 1st could not have come at a worse time.

Problems have ranged from a lack of clarity in relation to the information that’s required, inconsistencies as to how authorities in different ports have been applying the rules, and significant issues with the new systems companies are expected to use. This has meant that many Scottish seafood companies have struggled to get any product at all to their valued, long-standing European customers.

In response to the variety of issues affecting seafood businesses of all sizes across the country, Seafood Scotland has hired a new team, with decades of experience in the management of export supply chains to help troubleshoot and get the flow of trade to Europe back on track.

Funded through the Scottish Government and Scotland’s Food and Drink’s joint Recovery Plan, the team will work closely with companies to help them better understand the new business practices to export to the EU and Northern Ireland, including the customs and export certification processes.

Donna Fordyce, Chief Executive at Seafood Scotland, commented: “The landmark funding from the Scottish Government has been welcomed by the sector and we’re pleased that we could get a team in place so quickly.

“The first two appointments are armed with decades of industry experience and are ready to hit the ground running by immediately starting in their roles and tackling the most pertinent issues. However there remains issues inherent to the system in place and therefore we are continuing to request a grace period so that the UK and EU can resolve these without it having a negative impact on trade in the meantime.

“Once these most immediate problems have been resolved, our team will then start to look at the bigger picture to establish how businesses can adapt and indeed thrive in the new post-Brexit era.”

The two new Scotland based appointments are Alastair Kennedy and Steve Galloway who will bring their exporting expertise to the role from both a supplier and a customer perspective.

Alastair Kennedy, Seafood Scotland Consultant, commented: “I’m really looking forward to getting the ball rolling. Having worked in the seafood sector for the last eight years, I know it is full of talented, passionate people who have had a really tough time of it over the last year. The seafood they produce is world-class and it will be truly rewarding to help get it back into Europe – a market that highly values its quality. There’s a lot of work to be done but many of the issues the sector currently face are resolvable and I look forward to playing a part in making this happen.”

In addition to the domestic team, Seafood Scotland also hopes to appoint a Boulogne-sur-Mer consultant in the coming days to help give on the ground support from a European standpoint. This will further bolster Scottish seafood businesses’ chances of returning to pre-Brexit levels of trade with Europe as soon as possible.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “The seafood sector has been devastated by this poor Brexit deal and we cannot wait for the UK Government to solve the administrative problems they have created.

“Our focus is on resolving the issues around exports and making sure the process runs as smoothly as possible which is why as an immediate priority, we are funding these new posts to provide in-depth expert support to exporters across Scotland and help them navigate the new and onerous processes. We continue to back calls from our food and drink businesses for a six-month ‘grace period’ to allow exporters more time to digest the outcome of negotiations on a trade deal and prepare as best as they can.” With sector resilience already weakened by a year of Covid-19 restrictions and the French border closure over the crucial Christmas trading period, the fallout from the administration problems caused by changes in regulations post January 1st could not have come at a worse time.

Problems have ranged from a lack of clarity in relation to the information that’s required, inconsistencies as to how authorities in different ports have been applying the rules, and significant issues with the new systems companies are expected to use. This has meant that many Scottish seafood companies have struggled to get any product at all to their valued, long-standing European customers.

In response to the variety of issues affecting seafood businesses of all sizes across the country, Seafood Scotland has hired a new team, with decades of experience in the management of export supply chains to help troubleshoot and get the flow of trade to Europe back on track.

Funded through the Scottish Government and Scotland’s Food and Drink’s joint Recovery Plan, the team will work closely with companies to help them better understand the new business practices to export to the EU and Northern Ireland, including the customs and export certification processes.

Donna Fordyce, Chief Executive at Seafood Scotland, commented: “The landmark funding from the Scottish Government has been welcomed by the sector and we’re pleased that we could get a team in place so quickly.

“The first two appointments are armed with decades of industry experience and are ready to hit the ground running by immediately starting in their roles and tackling the most pertinent issues. However there remains issues inherent to the system in place and therefore we are continuing to request a grace period so that the UK and EU can resolve these without it having a negative impact on trade in the meantime.

“Once these most immediate problems have been resolved, our team will then start to look at the bigger picture to establish how businesses can adapt and indeed thrive in the new post-Brexit era.”

The two new Scotland based appointments are Alastair Kennedy and Steve Galloway who will bring their exporting expertise to the role from both a supplier and a customer perspective.

Alastair Kennedy, Seafood Scotland Consultant, commented: “I’m really looking forward to getting the ball rolling. Having worked in the seafood sector for the last eight years, I know it is full of talented, passionate people who have had a really tough time of it over the last year. The seafood they produce is world-class and it will be truly rewarding to help get it back into Europe – a market that highly values its quality. There’s a lot of work to be done but many of the issues the sector currently face are resolvable and I look forward to playing a part in making this happen.”

In addition to the domestic team, Seafood Scotland also hopes to appoint a Boulogne-sur-Mer consultant in the coming days to help give on the ground support from a European standpoint. This will further bolster Scottish seafood businesses’ chances of returning to pre-Brexit levels of trade with Europe as soon as possible.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “The seafood sector has been devastated by this poor Brexit deal and we cannot wait for the UK Government to solve the administrative problems they have created.

“Our focus is on resolving the issues around exports and making sure the process runs as smoothly as possible which is why as an immediate priority, we are funding these new posts to provide in-depth expert support to exporters across Scotland and help them navigate the new and onerous processes. We continue to back calls from our food and drink businesses for a six-month ‘grace period’ to allow exporters more time to digest the outcome of negotiations on a trade deal and prepare as best as they can.”

Live EU Fisheries meeting Feb 1st - high stakes on CTV and Catch Accountability.

 

The Committee on Fisheries meets on February 1st and many think a big part of the discussion should be focussed on catch accountability not CCTV on vessels. Bookmark this and aadd it to your online diary to follow the debate live.

Alternatively, sign up for updates.

Fishing quotas 2021: "Negotiations will start next week with the United Kingdom"

Virginijus Sinkevicius, European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, discusses the negotiations around fishing with Jersey, but also the United Kingdom for the 2021 quotas.

“For the 6-12 mile zone, I hope we will receive the licenses this week or next week at the latest. It's a priority, ”says Virginijus Sinkevicius, European Commissioner for

Tuesday, following your meeting with Ian Gorst, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Jersey, you announced “good news” for Breton and Norman fishermen who were deprived of access to the waters of the island. Why did you have to intervene and what was agreed? Following the post-Brexit agreement with the United Kingdom found at Christmas, there was very little time left to ensure business continuity on January 1 in some sectors. For fishing, it was necessary to ensure that fishermen on both sides were given temporary licenses, as well as the necessary information on how to obtain permanent licenses. In Guernsey and beyond the twelve miles, it went really fast. Unfortunately with Jersey there was a deadlock. I think there has been miscommunication on two sides. Jersey wanted to limit access to 58 boats. Following my conversation with Ian Gorst on Monday, there is a full list of 347 boats that are to be provisionally licensed .

Will we have to negotiate a new Granville Bay treaty on access to Jersey waters? No. This will be managed as part of the TCA (UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement), which includes UK Crown dependencies.

Will these questions be settled in the future directly with London? The relationship between the Crown Dependencies and London is their business. We are ready to negotiate in accordance with protocol and rules. I also had a very good conversation with the Minister of Justice on access to water and the post-Brexit agreement in general, recalling that each of us would do our utmost to ensure that the agreement is fully implemented on both sides. and other. Following this, I returned to the Jersey authorities.

For Jersey, the fishermen and the authorities (French, Editor's note) have until the end of April to submit their data (on their past access to Jersey waters, Editor's note) first to the European authorities and, after verification, to the British authorities. For Guernsey, the deadline is the end of March. Anyone who has been able to provide proof of their presence in the waters in recent years will have access. And the UK also published a list last week of 1,300 European vessels authorized to fish beyond twelve miles.

What about the 6-12 mile zone, close to the British coast? All data received from Member States (France, Belgium, and others) has already been transmitted to the UK. We are currently talking about 119 ships. I hope we will receive the licenses this week or next week at the latest. It is a priority.

The Channel Islands, as an offshore financial centre, enjoy some access to the European financial market. The City of London, on the other hand, has lost all access following Brexit and is seeking to restore one. Is there any interference between fisheries and financial services in your discussions with London? The answer is twofold. On the one hand, while I was talking to ministers in the UK or Jersey, we did not discuss any sectoral subject other than fisheries. On the other hand, we stuck to our line during all the negotiations, of not dealing with one country or one sector. Now that we are under the Christmas deal, we must do our utmost in all sectors to ensure that it is fully implemented and does not cause major disruption in any sector.

Where are we in the negotiations on the authorized catches for 2021 of the hundred or so stocks shared between the United Kingdom and the European Union? We presented our strategy for negotiating with the British to ministers of the Twenty-Seven last week and received the green light from their ambassadors yesterday (Wednesday). Negotiations will start next week. Member States will be constantly briefed and will have to vote at the end.

The deadline for the 2021 fishing possibilities is the end of March ... Yes, but I want to finish as quickly as possible.

Full story courtesy of Le Telegramme.