The Act, which received its Royal Assent last November, came into force yesterday, 12 January. And with it came the automatic designation of Lundy, as this was included in the Act at Parliamentary Bill stage.
The three-miles-long Lundy, situated in the mouth of the Bristol Channel, was already a statutory Marine Nature Reserve, administered by Natural England. A large area on its east side has been a No Take Zone since 2003.
However, as an MCZ Lundy’s conservation programme will be developed further, according to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.
“Specific conservation objectives for the island will now be developed which will be open for consultation,” said DEFRA yesterday. “Local byelaws will remain in place to protect the island’s wildlife."
Advice on MCZ designations is provided to ministers by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
A network of MCZs will be drawn up for English, Welsh and Northern Irish coasts over the next two years. Scotland’s own version of the Marine and Coastal Access Act is due to be passed soon.
Restrictions in MCZs will vary, from partial to full fishing bans and any appropriate controls on other commercial and recreational activities, including diving.
A public consultation period for MCZs is currently under way, through four regional bodies called MCZ Projects.
Members of the public have until the middle of this year to respond, the MCZ Projects wanting simply to know what they do on or under the water, and how often.
The MCZ Projects will then liaise with specific maritime stakeholders for another year, before reporting to the Government in October 2011.
The MCZ Projects are Finding Sanctuary (South West), Irish Sea Conservation Zones (Northern Ireland), Net Gain (North East and East) and Balanced Seas (South East).
Meanwhile a campaign is being run by the Marine Conservation Society, seeking support for a list of 73 sites around the country which it would like to see designated as MCZs.
The MCS is also inviting members of the public to make any suggestions of their own regarding potential MCZs, allowing expression of opinion not possible under the MCZ Projects scheme.
The MCS public-participation campaign is likely to run into 2011, before it submits its report to the Government alongside the MCZ Project groups.
Related links
MCS campaigns as Marine Bill goes through
MCZ Projects explained
Finding Sanctuary
Irish Sea Conservation Zones
Net Gain
Balanced Seas
MCS
Marine and Coastal Access Act information
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