Wildlife and Countryside Link has produced a briefing, ‘The road to success for new Highly Protected Marine Areas’. The briefing states that: The Government has committed to introduce Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs) in English waters by the end of this year. This hugely welcome new designation could provide much needed sanctuaries for our threatened […]

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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 […]

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A consultation has been launched to gather views on making a Marine Protected Area (MPA) which is protecting the critically endangered flapper skate in the Inner Sound of Skye, permanent. The Red Rocks and Longay Marine Protected Area (MPA) was urgently designated in March 2021, following discovery of the largest flapper skate nursery area in […]

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‘An independent report on the Evaluation of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs),  has been published. Evaluation of the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities Report UK Fishing Industry News ‘The Association which is the representative body for the ten IFCAs in England, has welcomed the ‘Evaluation of the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities commissioned by […]

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There have long been issues of trust between the fisheries sector and institutions charged with fisheries management, not helped by the more recent repercussions of Brexit. This paper gives some insights into the issue, summarising the results of a survey to examine levels of trust as well as fishers’ opinions of current management goals and […]

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Defra ‘The Government has launched (Thursday 22 July) opened a consultation on compensatory measures for unavoidable development impacts on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Our marine environment faces increasing pressure from human activities and climate change. The government wants to ensure that a consistent level of protection is afforded to the unique habitats, species and features […]

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Please have a look at this news item about the Marine Mammal Management Toolkit launched yesterday by Ocean Governance project: https://www.ascobans.org/en/news/new-toolkit-improve-marine-mammal-conservation-mpas The Toolkit will provide knowledge to support marine mammal conservation in MPAs. It aims to empower policy makers, managers and practitioners to effectively conserve marine mammals, tackle the present threats they are facing and fill knowledge […]

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