» Marine Reserves



Rare marine species discovered around Rockall could lead to a fishing ban in the area

The Guardian reports, 14th June 2013: “Fishing is expected to be banned near the Atlantic islet of Rockall after a rare methane gas vent in the seabed and two new shellfish species were discovered by British scientists.” The methane, which leaks through a so-called “cold seep” vent in the ocean floor, was found last year […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Hard-to-fish areas in Celtic Sea are a refuge for skate and rays

Marine scientists working in the Celtic Sea have discovered a natural refuge for the critically endangered flapper skate. Many elasmobranchs (sharks, rays and skates) are highly vulnerable to over-fishing, but a new paper in the open access journal PLOS ONE shows that small areas of the seabed that experience below-average fishing intensity can sustain greater […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Latest Newsletter Available

Newsletter for May 2013 now on the website.

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Short film illustrates the value and urgent need to protect coral reefs

Underwater2web.com has produced a short film, around 3 minutes, illustrating the magnificence, age, fragility and importance of the world’s coral reefs. This is, Marinet observes, a film well worth viewing – see the film on YouTube Source: Underwater2web.com,  April 2013

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Parliamentary Report criticises UK Government and says “Marine Conservation Zones are vital”

The creation of new Marine Conservation Zones vital to protect biodiversitybiodiversity Biological diversity in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals. in UK waters should not be stalled by Government fears of judicial review, the Science and Technology Committee has warned, but it is important that the Government consult […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Loophole in “favourable condition” definition for MCZs, claims marine scientist

Dr. Miles Hoskin, Coastal & Marine Environmental Research (CMER), has stated: “I’ve found something amongst the consultation material on DEFRA’s website that, if enacted, would seem to create a major legal loophole that could prevent MCZsMCZ Marine Conservation Zone being a force for positive change, even in the few places where they are eventually designated. […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Marinet recommends to the Minister: “make fishermen the managers of MCZs”

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has completed on 31st March its most recent public consultation on the implementation of the Marine Conservation Zone (MCZMCZ Marine Conservation Zone) network for English seas. In order to assist the Environment Minister, Richard Benyon MP, Defra has been enquiring whether the government should go […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Scottish NGOs say MCZs could produce an economic dividend of £10 billion over 20 years

The Scottish government is due to publish proposals for a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and a network to help protect Scotland’s seas could provide economic benefits worth £10bn, according to a new report. The report was commissioned by industry forum Scottish Environment Link. It said MPAs would help mitigate against extreme weather impacts, […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Minister blames “cash squeeze” for slow MCZ delivery

The Government has admitted moving slowly to protect wildlife in the seas because of the cost. Environment Minister Richard Benyon said that in the current financial squeeze he could not designate as many areas for protection as he would like. He said he was hoping to confirm the designation of the current tranche of 31 […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Suffolk & Essex Wildlife Groups call for more marine protection

Like MARINET and Fishfight, East Anglian wildlife groups are urging the Government to put the interests of Suffolk and Essex’s marine environment and high-value sustainable fisheries above those of commercial trawlers and want people to contact water and rural affairs minister Richard Benyon to demand a commitment to 127 Marine Conservation Zones (MCZMCZ Marine Conservation […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Prof. Callum Roberts explains why more MCZs are essential

Prof. Callum Roberts writes in The Guardian, 15th February 2013: “Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Channel 4 TV show Fish Fight has begun a new series. In a stroke of good timing, the European parliament voted last week to phase out the wasteful discarding of fish at sea, the main target of the first series. So you could […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Better consultation on Norfolk Coast MCZs?

Whilst DEFRA is already consulting on proposals for three MCZsMCZ Marine Conservation Zone off Northumberland, two areas off Norfolk, whilst the Cromer Shoalshoal A sandbank or sandbar that makes the water shallow Beds and The Wash Approach may be taken forward for designation later. Norfolk County Council’s environment, transport and development overview and scrutiny panel […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Critics are less convinced by Minister’s defence of his MCZ policy

The environment minister, Richard Benyon, has hit back at critics of the UK’s plans to protect England’s marine life, singling out campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall as failing to understand the cost involved in creating dozens of “properly” protected marine conservation zones (MCZsMCZ Marine Conservation Zone). Writing in the Guardian on 8th March 2013, Benyon said the […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

UK Marine Minister, Richard Benyon, defends his MCZ policy

UK Marine Minister, Richard Benyon MP, writes in The Guardian, 8th March 2013: “Just off Beachy Head there is an area of the Channel where sea bream reproduce. This remarkable fish pairs with its mate and creates an area of seabed that it will defend for around six weeks until spawning has ceased. This is […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall leads rally to Parliament for increased number of MCZs

The TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has said it is “vital” that the government does more to protect UK seas as he led hundreds of campaigners in a march to Westminster. The presenter has urged ministers to increase the number of “marine conservation zones” (MCZsMCZ Marine Conservation Zone) after more than £8m was spent on identifying […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Newsletter January 2013

  Our newsletter number 42 for January 2013 is now available here.  

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

David Miliband, co-founder of Global Ocean Commission, explains its purpose

An environmental catastrophe with greater economic impact than the global financial crash is occurring on the high seas, according to David Miliband. The former foreign secretary is to lead a new, high-level international effort to end the lawlessness of the oceans, which will be unveiled this week. The high seas, which lie beyond any national […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

1/4 million people sign Wildlife Trust petition expressing disappointment over MCZ designations

The Wildlife Trusts announced, 22nd January 2013: “A huge wave of public support will shake Westminster today as a quarter of a million people call for greater protection for UK’s seas and coastline. 250,000 signatures on The Wildlife Trusts’ ‘Petition Fish’ will be presented to Natural Environment Minister, Richard Benyon at a Parliamentary reception at […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Public Consultation on MCZs

Environment Minister Richard Benyon announced in December the commencement of public consultation on Marine Conservation Zones (MCZsMCZ Marine Conservation Zone). The consultation document and annexes can be viewed at www.defra.gov.uk/consult/open You will already have seen comment and concern expressed on this under our Marine Reserves page which indicate that it will be a battle to […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS

Warning to MPs from wildlife NGOs about the dangers of a Severn Barrage

A Consortium of wildlife NGOs (see list of members at foot of this report) has told the House of Commons Energy & Climate Committee they all supported tidal energy development in the Severn, but that the current proposal, from Hafren Power, lacked detail and claims that it would not unacceptably damage wildlife and large areas of […]

Please do share this

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon
  • Add to favorites
  • Email
  • RSS