Welsh MPA inquiry

The Climate change, environment and rural affairs Committee launched an inquiry into the management of marine protected areas in Wales last week.  We are carrying out a call for evidence and a public survey via our website:

Could replace with:

Written evidence can be submitted using the proforma on the website up until 10^th February 2017. Following this, the Committee expects to hold oral evidence sessions in late March.  More information on the inquiry is available on the website or email: SeneddCCERA@assembly.wales

Issues to be covered include:

• the greatest issues facing MPA management in Wales, the UK and internationally.
• the potential implications on marine biodiversity of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union.
• what can be done to improvement management of MPAs
• what can be done to raise awareness of the role of MPAs, so as to communicate their economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits.

DAERA designates four new MCZs in the Northern Ireland Inshore Region

New Marine Conservation Zones set to safeguard vulnerable or unique marine species and habitats of national importance  

Following a public consultation between December 2015 and March 2016, the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Marine and Fisheries Division in Northern Ireland has designated four new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). The new MCZs are intended to protect clams in Belfast Lough, the habitat of rare black guillemots on Rathlin Island, one of Ireland’s largest seagrass meadows located off the coast of Waterfoot in Co Antrim, and a community of sea pens – a type of soft coral – in Carlingford Lough.

The Department considered comments from stakeholders and undertook further survey work following the consultation, and the boundaries of Waterfoot and Outer Belfast Lough MCZs have since been amended.

The MCZs are listed below together with the features of interest. You can download the details of each MCZ at the provided links:

• Rathlin MCZ – Deep-sea bed, Black guillemot and Geological/geomorphological features indicating past change in relative sea level
• Waterfoot MCZ – Seagrass (Zostera marina) bed on Subtidal (sublittoral) sand
• Outer Belfast Lough MCZ – Ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) and associated habitat Subtidal (sublittoral) sand
• Carlingford Lough MCZ – Philine aperta and Virgularia mirabilis in Subtidal (sublittoral) mud

Together with Strangford Lough, there are now five MCZs in the Northern Ireland inshore region.  Strangford Lough was Northern Ireland’s only Marine Nature Reserve but it was redesignated as Northern Ireland’s first MCZ on the introduction of the Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013. Rebecca Hunter, an officer with the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force, said: “We are delighted to see the value of our seas recognised and protected within these areas. Northern Ireland is home to some of Europe’s most important marine wildlife and habitats.

To read more click here.