Defra consults on 23 proposed new English MCZs

Posted on 18th February 2015 in Marine Reserves

Defra has opened a public consultation on 23 proposed new Marine conservation Zones in English seas. The consultation runs from 30th January to 24th April 2015.

In their announcement of this consultation, Defra state: “This consultation is to seek your views on whether it would be appropriate to designate each of the 23 proposed Marine Conservation Zones (MCZsMCZ Marine Conservation Zone) in the second tranche and to add new features for conservation in 10 of the first tranche MCZs.

“The sites proposed in this consultation protect a range of species and habitats. Characteristic features protected by these sites include intertidal rocks: the rocky seashores which host rock pools where plants and animals such as barnacles, blue mussels, limpets, whelks and periwinkles can find shelter from the waves.

“Another feature protected in these sites are sandy beaches that may appear devoid of life, but in fact host a range of species such as shrimp-like sandhoppers, cockles, sea snails and worms buried beneath the surface.

“Features that are more unusual protected in these MCZs include native oyster and the spiny lobster, both of which are becoming less common in our seas. The sites will also protect the rare pink sea-fan, a soft coral and one of the most exotic-looking of our seabed animals. It is in fact a colony of tiny anemone-like polyps with stinging tentacles, which capture microscopic animals from the passing water.

“The declining ross wormRoss worm Ross worms build tubes made out of sand or shell fragments, and sometimes many thousands of worms all build tubes which clump together forming large reefs, which are an important habitat for a range of other life. They are very fast growing and can form thick crusts over just one summer. These worms feed by catching tiny food particles from the water. reef is also protected at a number of sites. Ross wormsRoss worm Ross worms build tubes made out of sand or shell fragments, and sometimes many thousands of worms all build tubes which clump together forming large reefs, which are an important habitat for a range of other life. They are very fast growing and can form thick crusts over just one summer. These worms feed by catching tiny food particles from the water. build tubes from sand and shell fragments; the tubes of large numbers of the worms can form reefs, which at their largest can be about half a metre in height and cover an area of several hectares. These worm-built reefs are important because they provide a habitat for a wide range of other seabed-dwelling animals.

“Together, these sites will contribute to an ecologically coherent network of MPAs around our shores. We have been working with the Devolved Administrations in the UK, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and national conservation agencies to take stock of the habitats and species protected in existing and planned MPAs and to identify the gaps within the network. The features protected in these sites were chosen to fill the big gaps in the current network, such as where a species or habitat is currently not protected in a region, or only a very small proportion is protected.

“Together, the sites proposed for designation in the second tranche cover a total area of 10,810 km2. This adds to the 9,664 km2 protected by the 27 MCZs designated in 2013.

The proposed MCZs are: