This morning the government announced the location for 27 marine conservation zones, covering 9,700 kilometres squared (km2) from the Aln estuary in the north-east to Beachy Head and Chesil Beach in the south and Padstow Bay and the Scilly Isles in the south-west.
While some have criticised the government for backing down from the initial 127 areas it planned, the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) has welcomed this more considered approach that has taken into account scientific advice and the socio-economic effects.
Below is a comment from the NFFO’s chief executive, Barrie Deas, on the news:
“The fishing industry welcomes today’s announcement that the Government has elected to continue building a network of marine protected areas using a scientific and phased approach. Decision makers received 40,000 responses to its consultation exercise, many of them from fishermen and fishing organisations worried about their livelihoods. Today’s decision confirms the Government has balanced scientific information on vulnerable habitats, with data on the socio-economic consequences of applying management measures within each designated zone to find a solution which brings benefits to all.
“We warned it would be vital to listen carefully to the local fishing industry potentially affected by each recommended Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) and to ensure adequate evidence was gathered about the conservation features within them. Without scientific backing there was a real danger MCZs could turn into a tick-box exercise with zero conservation advantage but maximum disruption to fishing operations, livelihoods and communities. The Government has successfully resisted pressure from a coalition of media oriented NGOs, and the odd celebrity chef, who appeared more concerned with headlines than putting the MCZs in the right place or the livelihoods of our island nation’s fishermen. This decision is a victory for good planning and a scientific approach.”
Read New network to protect valuable marine life here below.
FiskerForum.com
