Conservationists say 48 new protected areas are needed to fill the gaps in the ‘blue belt’ coastal network to ensure wildlife can flourish Conservationists have called for the creation of a further 48 protected areas in English waters that would “fill in the gaps” of a national network designed to ensure healthy and productive seas. […]
Fishing Focus is a marine newsletter published by Defra. Includes updates on: EU Technical measures Third tranche MCZs Brexit – Fish & Seafood Marine Planning Update on Seafish The EMFF grants
Defra 17 January 2016 ‘Twenty-three new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) will bring the total to 50 and cover more than a fifth of English waters. Twenty-three new areas along the UK coast were today announced as the latest Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) to be awarded environmental protection by the government, extending the country’s ‘Blue Belt’ […]
What’s so special about this? Believe it or not, this is the world’s oldest animal Ocean quahogs (Artica islandica) are found in the North Atlantic. The oldest recorded specimen was 507 years old. Their rings can also tell us a lot about climate change. The proposed South […]
Northern Ireland MCZ’s The public consultation is open to everyone who wishes to respond and the full consultation document together with instructions on how individuals can submit comments is available online. The four sites are Carlingford, Outer Belfast Lough, Rathlin and Watefoot. Strangford Lough is already an MCZ. The consultation will close on 11 March […]
Taking a longer-term, more holistic view of the impacts of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in the decision making process, rather than an excessive focus on costs is essential, says a group of researchers and conservation charities, as government considers whether or not to designate new sites later this year. The group is concerned that opportunities […]