The first three Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in England are now under the highest level of protection, as their designations come into effect.

In a press release from Defra, the government has said that: ‘the Highly Protected Marine Areas represent a huge leap forward in the UK government’s ambitious marine conservation targets and commitments to protecting our blue planet – set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan and 25 Year Environment Plan.

Evidence has indicated that stronger protections can lead to more and larger species in English seas and surrounding waters, contributing to the long-term productivity and sustainability of our fisheries sector. Allonby Bay, North East of Farnes Deep & Dolphin Head will receive highest level of protection.

Allonby Bay is an area of significant importance due to its ‘blue carbon’ habitats which capture and store carbon, helping to tackle climate change. The protection of this site also benefits a number of shore birds – such as curlews and oystercatchers – that are attracted to the unique habitats.

North East of Farnes Deep’s complex seabed habitat will benefit from the new Highly Protected Marine Area status, with commercially important fish such as haddock, angler fish and surmullet better protected due to the crucial spawning and nursery habitats the site provides.

Human activity, such as trawling and scallop dredging, has degraded Dolphin Head  in recent years, and this new designation will create the potential for the full recovery of habitats and species.

Marine Minister Lord Benyon said: Highly protected marine areas are a crucial part of marine protection measures. Today is a significant milestone for the UK as we ramp up action to recover our important marine ecosystems, and make sure species and habitats can thrive in healthy, diverse environments. This is a first step with more announcements to come.

Joan Edwards, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at The Wildlife Trusts, said: Our seas were once abundant in wildlife but their fragile habitats are now suffering from decades of trawling, development and pollution. So the designation of these first Highly Protected Marine Areas off England’s shores is a significant first step towards ringfencing three small but precious places, where we’ll be able to learn what can really happen if nature is given an opportunity to recover. However, these three tiny spots cover just 0.4% of English seas – and we’re looking forward to seeing further designations so that we can safeguard our seas for the future.

A piece in the BBC can be found here and the full news release from Defra can be read here.

Pilot HPMAs for England reduced from five to three

Defra launched the consultation on five HPMA sites in July 2022, which followed an independent review to examine whether and how the strongest protections for areas of sea could be introduced.

The Benyon Review into HPMAs, published in June 2020, concluded that “HPMAs are an essential component of the MPA network”. The Benyon Review panel noted that ‘one of the conditions set for the Review was to recommend a maximum of five pilot sites. The Panel considered this to be the ‘bare minimum required to evidence the success of HPMA introduction’.

In February 2023 the Lindisfarne and Inner Silver Pit South sites were no longer considered suitable for HPMA designation, meaning three remained.

Further sites considered during the year

In a letter to Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP from Environment Secretary Therese Coffey following the dropping of the proposed Lindisfarne site, ended by saying, ‘The government will be considering further sites to become pilot HPMAs during the year’ with Defra confirming that ‘additional sites will now be explored and any future options will also be subject to consultation.’

Further information and resources:

• The HPMA consultation outcome can be read here along with a summary of consultation responses.
• A policy paper on the rationale for HPMAs and an overview of the candidate site selection can be read here.
• The press release from Defra on the designation of three HPMAs can be found here.
• Information about the designation at Dolphin Head in the English Channel can be read here.
• Information about the designation at North East of Farnes Deep in the North Sea is here.
• Information about the designation at Allonby Bay in the Irish Sea can be found here.