19 Aug 2019

Watch the study video at: https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/2019/07/17/limits-on-pot-fishing-can-result-in-win-win-for-fishermen-and-marine-wildlife/. https://phys.org/news/2019-07-limits-pot-fishing-result-win-win.html Restricting the amount of inshore potting for crab and lobster within marine protected areas (MPAs) can generate a “win-win” for both fishermen and the marine environment, according to the first major study exploring the issue. The study showed that crab caught in areas of low potting levels were of greater average […]

30 Jul 2019

The Blue Belt Programme supports the delivery of the UK government’s commitment to enhance marine protection for over four million square kilometres of marine environment across the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs). The programme is providing up to £20 million between 2016 and 2020 to: Improve scientific understanding of the marine environment Develop and implement evidence-based, […]

13 Jul 2019

Study on the economic benefits of MPAs The European Commission contracted ICF, IEEP, PML and partners to undertake a review of the economic benefits of marine protected areas (MPAs) and other spatial protection measures (SPMs) (henceforth collectively referred to as MPAs unless specifically referring to SPMs). The study sought to compile an extensive evidence base […]

13 Jul 2019

Dustin Marshall et al: Abstract   Marine protected areas (MPAs) are important tools for managing marine ecosystems. MPAs are expected to replenish nearby exploited populations through the natural dispersal of young, but the models that make these predictions rely on assumptions that have recently been demonstrated to be incorrect for most species of fish. A meta‐analysis […]

18 Jun 2019

Overview The Scottish Government’s vision is for a marine environment that is clean, healthy, safe, productive and diverse seas; managed to meet the long term needs of nature and people. Scotland’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) network is being developed to help safeguard our most important natural and cultural heritage features on the principle of sustainable […]

11 Jun 2019

New – the Panel members for the Review were announced in late July – click to the link Bob Earll There has been a long standing, high level and significant block within Defra to the idea of Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). This has included Natural England being told not to include this idea in […]

02 Jun 2019

In 1969 John Lythgoe presented a letter signed by marine scientists from the Underwater Association to the Nature Conservancy Council putting forward the idea of marine reserves. Fifty years on and with the announcement of a further 41 MCZ sites, England now has an MPA network. This is a time to celebrate and reflect on […]