» Reserves



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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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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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 […]

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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 […]

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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

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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 […]

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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. […]

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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 […]

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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, […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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