On 5 July 2023, Highly Protected Marine Area (HPMA) designations came into effect in Allonby Bay, North East of Farnes Deep and Dolphin Head, granting them the highest level of protection in our seas. The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is now proposing specific management measures that will support the recovery of the HPMAs to a more natural state.

HPMAs are areas of the sea, including shore, seabed, sea surface and water column, that have been set aside with high levels of protection. This allows for the full recovery to a natural state of all marine species, enhancing fish populations, habitats and associated ecosystem processes within the site boundary.

As part of the byelaw making process marine stakeholders, partner organisations and fishers are being given an opportunity to view and comment on the proposed management measures from 3 August to 14 September 2023.

A formal notification and notice period will be implemented ahead of any fisheries management measures being introduced. This is expected to be completed in early 2024.

The first proposed MMO byelaws will seek to prohibit fishing activity in all HPMAs in line with their highly protected status. Other, non-fishing, activities will be assessed and may also require management in future.

For the full press release click here.

For the formal consultation/online survey click here.