Consultation details Defra ‘As part of the UK government’s commitment to leave the environment in a better state than we inherited it, an independent review of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) – which represent the upper end of environmental protection – was publicly launched on the 8 June 2019. The 6 month review, led by ex-fisheries Minister Richard […]

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Who is blocking Highly Protected Marine Areas? Dr Jean-Luc Solandt Principal Specialist, Marine Protected Areas, Marine Conservation Society 01989 561594 / 07793 118387   www.mcsuk.org Dr Sue Gubbay, Independent Marine Consultant Dr Bob Earll, Communications and Management for Sustainability, Dear Mr Gove, This blog is prompted by the eventual release of a research assessment of HPMAs […]

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Conservation needs places where nature is left wild; but only a quarter of coastal countries have no-take Marine Reserves. ‘Marine Protected Areas’ (MPAs) have been used to indicate conservation progress but we found that 94% allow fishing and thus cannot protect all aspects of biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation should focus on Marine Reserves, not MPAs.  Highlights […]

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