Whilst I wouldn’t usually cover the individual responses to consultations this response is exceptional and the combined Links are to be congratulated on their co-ordinated efforts. The four country based Wildlife & Countryside Link organisations have combined forces to produce a comprehensive 61 page report covering all the descriptors covered by the MSFD. They set […]
Birdlife International: ‘ After years of negotiation, the Dogger Bank, a unique and massive complex of Natura 2000 sites belonging to the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands will finally get its needed fisheries management plan.’ Beam trawls and other bottom gear will be excluded from about a third of the Dogger Bank. This is a […]
‘Marine Conservation Zones in English Seas: Following our ten year campaign for the UK Marine Act (2009), the first tranche of 27 Marine Conservation Zones were designated in November 2013. The Government launched its public consultation on the second tranche of sites on the 30th January 2015 – with only two weeks to go, we need your support by […]
Natural England – Published marine conservation advice for marine protected areas, 30 March 2015 Information includes: Conservation advice: Natural England’s responsibility Natural England’s MPA conservation advice project Timetable of advice production Timetable changes Contact Natural England https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conservation-advice-for-marine-protected-areas-project-background/marine-conservation-advice-project-summary
Bob Earll This article starts with the joke of Japan’s ‘scientific whaling’ and then picks up on the very current issue of electric pulse fisheries and UK’s rush to join the Dutch fleet. We are increasingly familiar with the debate about policy based evidence or evidence based policy. This takes it to the next level […]
Defra ‘Defra has published a consultation on the second tranche of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). We are proposing 23 new Marine Conservation Zones in English inshore and offshore waters. You can find further information about responding to the consultation in this letter. You can find the consultation document and supporting information including details of individual sites […]
This pro-effective MPA video sets out to remind people to respond to the Scottish MPA consultation – thanks to Jason Hall-Spencer for making this available. http://youtu.be/rQPSC5m1iuI.
This paper looks at the detailed relationship between trawling, fish and invertebrate populations in the Irish Sea ‘The effects of bottom trawling on benthic invertebrates include reductions of biomass, diversity and body size. These changes may negatively affect prey availability for demersal fishes, potentially leading to reduced food intake, body condition and yield of fishes […]