The government is asking the public if 41 sites in English seas should be protected as Marine Conservation Zones. Zones are deemed as places of great importance to ocean health and marine species which have little or no protection from damaging activities. AND WE HAVE UNTIL FRIDAY JULY 20 TO VOTE

Humpback whales, angelsharks, seahorses, puffins and dolphins are just a few of the creatures that live in the proposed areas and would enjoy these new protections. Commercial fishing is (partially) sbanned in these areas – not just because fish species (many of which are in terminal decline) are being taken out, but because heavy trawl nets and dredges damage the plant life and habitat on the sea bed. Recent studies in Scottish waters show excellent biodiversity returning to areas when they are properly protected.

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 allows for the creation of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). MCZs protect a range of nationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology and geomorphology, and can be designated anywhere in English and Welsh territorial and UK offshore waters. Lundy Island, a former Marine Nature Reserve in the Bristol Channel became the UK’s first MCZ in January 2010. More information on Marine Conservation Zones is available on Defra’s website.

The New proposed Zones

At first the plan was for a total of 127 protected zones to be created in three phases. The government claimed that if the project was implemented in its entirety than around a quarter of the waters around the British Isles would under some form of protection – at the time the project began less than 1% of UK waters were protected. After a four year consultation period the government revealed in 2013 that only 31 MCZs would actually be created in the first tranche, and this was cut by four to 27 when several were either not designated or a decision on them was deferred. However 50 sites have been designated within British waters to date. Normal sea angling is allowed in MCZs.

See more: HERE

You can vote on the 41 sites under proposal for protection at the Marine Conservation Society webpage:HERE

Main photo existing zones.