The move toward a co-ordinated scheme of MCZs was made reality with the creation of the Marine and Coastal Access Act last November.
The MCZ Project is led by Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, and administered by four regional groups.
These are Finding Sanctuary (South West), based in Topsham; Balanced Seas (South East), in Canterbury; Net Gain (North Sea), in Hull; and Irish Sea Conservation Zones (Irish Sea), in Warrington.
The groups are calling on all marine stakeholders, and any others with views to put, to come forward if they have not already done so, before final proposals are put to the Government next June.
Clubs or other groups or individuals can either contact their regional MCZ Project team or add to an interactive map, at www.mczmapping.org.
The MCZ Project has, it says, already heard from “thousands of people”. However, it wishes to hear from “even more” since the “combination of public participation with the best scientific evidence available should mean that recommendations for MCZs will stand more chance of popular success”.
Jamie Davies, tasked with delivering the MCZ Project proposals nationally, has said: “Time is running out for the collection of data on which the regional MCZ projects will base their recommendations for the locations and conservation objectives of MCZs.
“We want to encourage everyone with relevant information to share it now with the regional MCZ Projects, so that it can be included in the regional profiles which will be used by the four projects over the next nine months to finalise their recommendations.
“If you use the sea, whether for business or pleasure, please get involved now, while there’s still time to ensure your interests are represented in the planning of MCZs.”
Meanwhile, running in tandem with the MCZ Project is a nationwide campaign by the Marine Conservation Society.
The MCS is inviting public recommendations for protected sites as well as seeking support for its own list of areas which should, in its view, be protected.
Results of the MCS campaign will, in the case of English sites, be presented to the Government alongside the MCZ Project reports.
The MCS campaign, Your Seas Your Voice, can be viewed online at www.yourseasyourvoice.com.
Related links
Government encourages MCZ consultation
Lundy is an MCZ
MCZ Project explained
Marine Conservation Society campaign
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