Set up by DEFRA in late 2009, the MCZ Project has worked to establish a broad framework of marine conservation areas in England.
A public consultation was followed by a period in which the views of stakeholders, from leisure users and conservationists to fisheries and other commercial interests, were canvassed.
“Over one million individuals’ interests have been represented,” says the MCZ Project.
The result is a prospective list of 127 Marine Conservation Zones, covering a total of 14,469 square miles.
They vary widely in size, ranging from just under two tenths of a square mile to about 2242 square miles. Those designated will have either complete protection or specified types and levels of activities.
The MCZ Project was established by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and Natural England to identify and recommend MCZs to the Government.
The project has been administered by four regional groups: Balanced Seas (South East), Finding Sanctuary (South West), Irish Sea Conservation Zones (Irish Sea) and Net Gain (North Sea).
The groups have submitted their reports for consideration by the JNCC, Natural England and the Marine Protected Area Science Advisory Panel. Each report details individual sites, including site boundaries and protective measures proposed.
The reports can be downloaded from each of the regional group’s websites.
Over the next few months the four regional groups are due to file more detailed assessments of social, economic and environmental impacts of the proposed MCZs.
Next year, the reviewing bodies will put their recommendations to the Government which, after a last public consultation, will set the final pattern of designations to be made under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
MCZ Project Newsletter - http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5235
MCZ Project Interactive Map - www.mczmapping.org
Archive | 
Win a Luxfer pony cylinder
