A team of four NRW marine scientists work at the Skomer MCZ. They are responsible for the management of the site and completing an extensive marine monitoring programme which has built on the marine biological surveys started in the 1980s. There is a 5-knot speed limit within 100m of the shore to reduce disturbance to wildlife as well as specific fishery byelaws, prohibiting the use of mobile fishing gear (dredges and beam trawls) and the taking of certain scallop species by any means. Potting for crabs and lobsters is permitted but has more than doubled since the area was first protected although this is down from an trebling of effort in 2012 Click here for 2018 report
Marine monitoring around Skomer includes underwater and shore species and habitats, marine mammals, oceanographic and meteorological in addition to recording users such as recreational visitors and commercial fishing activities. The monitoring work provides long-term data sets which for some projects extend back 35 years and with the breadth of work it is recognised as the most comprehensive marine monitoring programme in the UK.