21 Apr 2026
Photo by Karl Hanssens Two developments this week have put Sussex’s marine conservation zones in the spotlight – one bringing new protections, the other raising fresh concerns about the integrity of a neighbouring site. Trawling ban takes effect off Beachy Head A new law banning trawling and scalloping in a zone of 101 square […]
13 May 2025
Image description: The Seven Sisters in Sussex. Image by Andres Stefuca / Pexels. The Prosecution: The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has secured the first successful prosecution for a contravention of an MMO marine protected area (MPA) byelaw. Christoph Gouy, Master of the French-registered fishing vessel Pierre D’Ambre, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Magistrates Court to […]
21 Sep 2021
The MMO is introducing the Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) Habitat Protection Strategy. This strategy will protect the designated features of the MCZ and ensure that marine activities can continue in a sustainable way. The strategy includes a voluntary no anchor zone which will be introduced to protect the seagrass habitat and the species that […]
08 Jun 2021
A new tranche of monitoring and progress reports from the Skomer MCZ has been added to the NRW website. In addition to the 2019 Annual Report, the Project Status Report 2019-20 lists 42 MCZ monitoring projects (mostly biological but including hydrography and human activities), summarises some of these and provides detailed updates on several others. There […]
13 Apr 2021
Conservation measures for non-licensable activities including anchoring and mooring in the Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone were the subject of a call for evidence from the Marine Management Organisation earlier this year Click here Following a consultation meeting chaired by the Dorset Coast Forum the RYA has published a position statement on the issue. This […]
09 Nov 2019
Kate Lock NRW: ‘I am pleased to provide you with the link to the Skomer MCZ project status report 2018-19. This report provides an up to date summary of results of all the biological and oceanographic monitoring projects completed at Skomer MCZ of which many provide important long term monitoring data sets. If you are […]
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 […]
30 Jul 2018
EIA consent decision & MCZ stage 1 assessment – 26th July by MMO https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/goodwin-sands-aggregate-dredging-scheme Dover dredging application decision The MMO has approved an application from Dover Harbour Board for aggregate dredging off the Kent coast. Published 26 July 2018 Marine Management Organisation The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has approved an application from Dover Harbour Board […]
