» Marine Reserves



Do environmentalists know the difference between “right and wrong”?

David Levy, Marinet chair, has recently written an article for public circulation which seeks to explore the reasons why we — society, politicians and marine NGOs — seem to be unable to make the decisions that are essential if we are, on the basis of the scientific evidence known to us, to arrive at the […]

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SCAR AGM 29th March 2014

Ann Page, Secretary of SCAR (Suffolk Coast Against Retreat) invites all interested to the groups 2014 Annual General Meeting that is to be held in the Riverside Centre, Stratford St Andrew, Suffolk at 10.30 am on Saturday morning, 29th March 2014. (Coffee from 10.00 am) The principle speaker will be the SCAR Patron, Lord Deben, […]

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Blakeney NNR future in question

Those of you who have visited the National Trusts Blakeney National Nature Reserve on the North Norfolk coast will realise how precious it is (or perhaps now ‘was’) as a wildlife and faunalfauna The animals characteristic of a region, period, or special environment habitat. Sadly the severe North Sea tidal surge of Thursday 5th December […]

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A GM plant lined up to produce Omega-3 fish oils

The Guardian reports, 24th January 2013 : “A genetically-modified plant that produces seeds packed with fish oils is set to be grown in open fields in the UK within months, scientists have announced. The oils could provide feed for farmed fish, the researchers hope, but they could ultimately be used as a health supplement in […]

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OSPAR announces increased protection for iconic biodiversity in NE Atlantic

The Oslo Paris Commission for the Protection of the NE Atlantic (OSPAROSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic made up of representatives of the Governments of the 15 signatory nations.) has announced, 19th December 2013, increased protection for species and habitats in the North East Atlantic. Their press release […]

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Proposal for the Isle of Arran MPA receives strong support

The Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) reports, December 2013: “COAST’s Treasurer Sibbie Sangster and Manager Andrew Binnie visited Holyrood last month to deliver hand-written Marine Protected Area responses to the Scottish Government. Andrew said, ‘We are delighted with the response. There has been a huge turn out in favour of the Arran MPA. We […]

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Coastal community of red squirrels in NW England show signs of immunity to poxvirus

The red squirrel population which is a feature of the coastal pinewooods at Formby, Merseyside, and elsewhere along this coast is showing signs of immune resistance to the deadly squirrel pox virus transmitted by grey squirrels (who also possess immunity). The onset of the pox virus in the Merseyside red squirrel population in 2008 had […]

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Government promises more English MCZs over the next three years

Defra announced in a Press Release, 21st November 2013: “Coral reefs, jellyfish and seahorses are just some of the marine life that will be better protected following the creation of 27 new Marine Conservation Zones today. “The UK has one of the world’s richest marine environments and these new sites will join over 500 marine […]

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Government names just 27 MCZs for actual designation in English seas

The Guardian reports, 21st November 2013: “Twenty-seven new marine conservation zones (MCZsMCZ Marine Conservation Zone) will be created in English seas on Thursday to protect seahorses, coral reefs, oyster beds and other marine life. But the number is four less than ministers proposed and just one-fifth of the 127 zones recommended by the government’s own […]

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New Antarctic marine reserve thwarted by Russian and Chinese fishing interests

The New York Times reports, 1st November 2013: “Paris, France — International negotiations aimed at creating one of the world’s largest marine reserves in the waters off Antarctica ended in failure this week in the face of resistance from Russia, China and Ukraine. In the talks, held in Hobart, Tasmania, under the auspices of the […]

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Scottish government criticised for failure in its “climate and wildlife policies”

The Guardian reports, 28th October 2013: “Alex Salmond’s government is failing to live up to many of its ambitious promises on climate change and protecting Scotland’s natural heritage, a study has concluded. The report by the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) said that the Scottish government’s efforts to set new standards on climate and […]

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Serious decline in Scotland’s seabird colonies urgently warrants “marine reserves”, says RSPB

RSPB Scotland is warning that some of Scotland’s globally important seabird colonies could become extinct in parts of the country if the Scottish Government does not act quickly to protect them. Species like common guillemots, razorbills and puffins are struggling to cope with increasing challenges including a lack of food and the effects of climate […]

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Scotland’s first no-take reserve is promoting marine recovery

The Community of Arran Seabed Trust (C.O.A.S.T.) reports, September newsletter:” Scotland’s first ever No Take Zone (NTZ) at Lamlash Bay on the Isle of Arran celebrates its fifth birthday this week. Coinciding with celebrations on the island is a summary of scientific research confirming the NTZ is promoting the recovery of scallops, lobster, fish and […]

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Surfers encouraged to protect the reefs that provide their surfing

Terry Lilley, Hawaii (Underwater2web.com), has produced a short video film which explains the importance of marine reefs to surfers, and the challenges that these reefs are facing in order to retain their health and integrity. This short film is highly recommended http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it71Oic9g_A Source: Underwater2web.com, 29th August 2013.

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Should Kimmeridge Bay and 95 other sites of the “same class” be made MCZs?

The Guardian reports, 11th August 2013: “Kimmeridge Bay in Dorset, with its rare lagoon sea snails and peacock’s tail seaweed, is one of 127 wildlife-rich sites which a two-year, £8m consultation recommended should gain protection as marine conservation zones (MCZsMCZ Marine Conservation Zone). But, despite a 350,000-signature petition, ministers are only considering 31 MCZs and, […]

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Suspicion is growing that UK marine reserves have been hijacked by commercial interests

Marinet reported on 20th July 2013 an announcement by the Welsh Government that it had decided following a public consultation not to proceed with the designation of any of the potential 10 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZsMCZ Marine Conservation Zone) which it had identified as suitable MCZMCZ Marine Conservation Zone candidates. This public consultation was reported […]

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Arran’s COAST welcomes Scottish Government proposal to create 33 MPAs

The Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) has welcomed Marine Scotland’s consultation on the Scottish Government’s proposed network of 33 Scottish Marine Protected Areas. This includes 4 much-needed MPAs in the Clyde, with one of these being the proposed South Arran MPA. In the opinion of COAST, the proposed MPA network represents an exciting opportunity […]

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Welsh Government scraps its plans to create 10 Marine Conservation Zones

Controversial plans for 10 marine conservation zones have been withdrawn by a Welsh government minister. Alun Davies told AMs they had received 7,000 responses to a consultation containing “strongly held” views. He said he would now look at the 125 existing marine protected areas to see if further improvements could be made. The Marine Conservation […]

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New Antarctic marine reserve vetoed by Russia

The Guardian reports, 16th July 2013: “Russia has blocked the creation of the world’s largest ocean reserves off the coast of Antarctica, in what campaigners called a “bad faith stalling tactic”. The Russian delegation to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), whose 25 members have been meeting in Germany, questioned […]

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Isle of Man scallops on the way to being fished sustainably

The Guardian reports, 27th June 2013: “Locals in the pretty seaside village of Port Erin on the Isle of Man will be celebrating. Their annual Queenie festival is taking place to promote the queen scallop that thrives in their waters. With a shell that can grow up to 9cm, the species, aequipecten opercularis, provides a […]

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