25 Apr 2022
Damaging fishing activity will be prohibited in four Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) using new powers under the Fisheries Act. The four byelaws ban the use of bottom trawls, dredges, demersal seines and semi-pelagic trawls, collectively known as bottom towed gear, over certain areas. There are also additional restrictions in two of the sites preventing the […]
12 Apr 2022
An article in Yachting Monthly on the question of whether sailors should welcome or be worried by the expanding network of Marine Protected Area. The piece gives some of the background to MPAs in the UK and how this has evolved into the current suite of 127 Marine Conservation Zones. Richard Hill, the Royal Yachting […]
07 Feb 2022
Part of the UK Government’s ‘Benefits of Brexit’ document contains a small section entitled ‘Flourishing offshore Marine Protected Areas’. The report talks of ‘one of the biggest challenges for the UK previously was securing other countries’ endorsement for offshore Marine Protected Areas management measures through the Common Fisheries Policy process. Now that we are an […]
16 Feb 2021
There are 48 MPAs in the Northern Ireland inshore region that cover 38% of the area. The latest assessments for both the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Habitats Directive have identified that overall, the benthic habitats are not reaching the required status, and that the main pressure is from physical damage of the seabed from […]
09 Feb 2021
The task for this independent group of experts, was to set out next steps for a coherent, representative, connected and resilient network of MPAs for Ireland. Thinking not just about biodiversity loss but also how the MPA network could contribute to wider ecosystem-based management with other objectives including sustainable fisheries management, resilience to climate change […]
02 Feb 2021
Following a period of consultation the MMO has published draft assessments and management measures for four offshore MPAs; the Dogger Bank SAC, Inner Dowsing SAC, South Dorset MCZ and The Canyons MCZ. The proposed bylaws include prohibiting the use of bottom towed fishing gear, including demersal seines and semi-pelagic towed gear through the whole of […]
02 Feb 2021
Despite much attention given to documenting spillover from MPAs, relatively few studies have attempted to quantify the extent to which increases in the density and size structure of animals along the borders of MPAs influences fishing behaviour, total landings, and revenue. This recently published paper in Nature reports the result from a study which tested […]
03 Nov 2020
The leaked report is called a “Scottish Overall Assessment 2020” and examines the state of six vital habitats in 11 marine regions around Scotland. It is a draft dated October 2019 compiled by scientists from the government’s NatureScot, formerly Scottish Natural Heritage, and Marine Scotland. The report’s main conclusion is that the marine habitats in […]
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