sign in sign up
<<
Home , Marine conservation

The case for more Marine Conservation Zones

A report for Government by The Trusts Why we need more Marine Conservation Zones

We all need a Marine Conservation Zones: The principle of Ecological Coherence healthy To be truly coherent, the sites in the UK network need to meet five crucial criteria In the past, Marine Protected Areas have tended to be the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic. The he Wildlife Trusts have been Government has committed to designating a isolated, with little or no consideration of how they work Commission proposes five main principles, illustrated campaigning for a well-managed third and final tranche of Marine Conservation together at an level. below, which are crucial to developing a network. T network of Marine Protected Areas Zones. Yet an ecologically coherent network can maintain the A network formed on these principles, together with since 2003. Concerned about the All sites currently in the network play an processes, function and structures of protected features good stakeholder involvement, proper management serious declines we were seeing in our species important role and following the UK’s decision more effectively than individual sites on their own. and ongoing monitoring, could maximise the benefits of and habitats, we challenged the Government to to leave the European Union, it is crucial that This rationale comes from the OSPAR Commission – a a MPA network in the UK. Essentially, the network would take a new approach. After a long campaign protection of our European Marine Sites is not group of 15 Governments and the EU formed to protect be worth more than the sum of its parts. which attracted enthusiastic cross party weakened or lost. Likewise, progress towards support from the backbenches, the Marine and Joan the third tranche of Marine Conservation Zones Coastal Access Act passed in 2009. Similar Edwards under UK law should not be derailed or legislation followed in Scotland and Northern Joan is Head of significantly slowed. Completion of our Ireland. These are the laws to deliver a UK-wide Living at The ecologically coherent network is vital to help our network of Marine Protected Areas. The Wildlife Trusts. She seas recover and thrive; this report sets out led our campaign challenge is to make it happen. for the Marine Bill, what we believe is the minimum requirement for Devolution means our seas are managed in and has worked on designation in English and Secretary of State different ways, but the Act required the UK the designation of to complete the network. It provides Government to designate Marine Conservation the first two information on 48 sites – the large gap fillers in Zones in English and Secretary of State Waters. tranches of MCZs the Blue Belt that the Conservative Government 3. Representativity With other stakeholders, we began to map out committed to designate in their 2015 manifesto. 2. Connectivity The full range of habitats and species the Marine Conservation Zones, recommending We also include information on the six sites in found in the geographical area should Sites should be well distributed, but be represented within the network and a network of 127 sites. To support their Welsh offshore waters, which have been Features close enough to ensure ecological links 1. an adequate proportion of features designation, we surveyed sites to build scientific postponed as these waters are likely to be are maintained so that fragmented Sites should be identified for their should be included. evidence, gathered signatures from the public, devolved shortly. These sites risk falling between range of species and habitats (known habitats can recover. and marched on parliament on numerous the political gaps, but they are too important in as features). Consideration should be occasions. completing the network to be forgotten about. given to those species and habitats that In 2013, the first tranche of 27 Marine Designation of this network is an important are in decline, rare or threatened. Conservation Zones were designated. A second first step to allow our seas to recover and thrive. tranche of 23 were added in early 2016. Taken But we still have a lot of work to do to ensure with our European Marine Sites (Special Areas the sites are properly managed and protected. of Conservation and Special Protection Areas) And, if this Blue Belt is to be truly ecologically this is significant progress, but it is not yet an coherent, then we need more progress in Wales, ecologically coherent network. Now the UK Northern Ireland and Scotland.

4. Resilience 5. Management Individual sites should be large enough Each site should be managed to ensure to provide meaningful protection, and protection of the features for which it replicated to ensure a resilient network. was proposed. There should be no damaging activites.

White-beaked dolphin off the Northumbrian coast, by John Carnell. No MCZ currently exists to protect this species

2 THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS 3 Why we need more Marine Conservation Zones Support for marine Marine protection protection is widespread really matters

The public, political parties, industry and our 800,000-strong membership are all behind us We are surrounded by the sea, but we how to look after this environment, don’t often stop to consider how much upon which we all depend. As a result, our daily rely upon it. our seas and seabed are simply not as No matter where you live you are diverse or healthy as they could be. A connected to the sea. The world’s well-managed network of protected produce half of the world’s sites will help them to recover from oxygen and absorb almost one third of past damage and give them the human produced . They resilience to better cope with a regulate our weather and form clouds changing climate and the continued that bring us fresh . We take pressure we put them under. to eat, use the surface for transport If we look after the sea, it will look and now look to the sea to after us. Asking for greater The British public UK Politicians Local fishermen Marine industries provide us with renewable protection of an already There is strong support for There is all-party support Protecting the seabed from We have signed a joint too. Did you over-used is really marine protection in general for MPAs across the UK. By damaging trawling can help Statement with the Sea Bed For too long we have a small ask – that will and Marine Conservation December 2014, over 180 protect the livelihoods of Users Development Group assumed that the sea know? have huge implications Zones in particular. In 2013 MPs and Peers had signed other fishermen. For alongside MCS, RSPB and will provide, without The world’s oceans produce for generations to half of the world’s oxygen and The Wildlife Trusts, Marine in support of an ecologically example, trawling activity WWF. This statement urges much thought about come. absorb almost one third of Conservation Society, RSPB coherent network. We are off the Holderness Coast in the Government to make human-produced carbon and WWF presented a asking new MPs to sign on 2012 resulted in the loss of sure that the network of petition signed by over wcl.org.uk/marinecharter. £250,000 worth of static Marine Protected Areas is dioxide 350,000 people to All the main parties referred gear and loss of earnings. properly established, Downing Street calling for to MPAs in their manifestos. Protecting the seabed here resourced and managed. greater protection of our The Conservatives are now would safeguard the See wildlifetrusts.org/MPA seas. This shows the vast committed to ‘a Blue Belt to environment, the wildlife it social value of marine protect precious marine supports and livelihoods for protection and healthy seas. habitats’. the future.

Marine Conservation Zones can boost local economies Economic studies suggest they are worth more intact than destroyed

The Committee was set up by Government to recommend a Sustainable v unsustainable in Lyme Bay ‘Every second strategy on better valuing nature so Values of marine businesses in that we can continue to benefit from Lyme Bay off Dorset in 2007 services such as pollination, breath you reduction and carbon storage. Some of the sites not consulted on Scallop for tranche 2 were deemed to place dredging too great a burden on industry. Little Sea angling Charter boats take comes £1.8m consideration was given to the benefits and diving that protecting and recovering these £3.5m sites could bring. £13m from the sea’ It is vital that we capture the benefits of Marine Conservation Zones. This will help decision makers to avoid focusing on short-term costs, and instead to understand that designation is an LOW IMPACT HIGHLY DESTRUCTIVE

investment that can deliver to society. EstimateofEconomic Values ofActivities in proposed conservation zone in Lyme Bay, Report The to Wildlife Trusts (2007)

4 THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS 5 Why we need more Marine Conservation Zones

Northern The big North sea gaps in the

Irish sea Southern network North sea here are different types of In order to assess the network, Marine that Government scientists have split our seas Key T will make up the network into biogeographical regions; we have Designated across the whole of the UK. used the same regions in this report. in Tranche I These include European Marine Sites The following pages outline where we Designated protecting habitats and species of think the key gaps in the network are in Tranche 2 European importance (Special and the sites that we think might fill Welsh offshore Protection Areas and Special Areas of them. The gaps vary across the regions sites Conservation) and national sites – in as the habitats and species found in each Areas England called Marine Conservation are quite different. containing The Zones. While these sites are a vital step Wildlife Trusts’ recommended While the sites already in place, in towards completing this network, they The Western England and Secretary of State waters, are unlikely to be all that is needed. We MCZs for Tranche 3 Channel and provide crucial protection to a variety of still need more data to better understand Approaches habitats and species, there are still key our marine species and habitats. In ecological gaps. Unless they are filled, future, additional sites may be needed, the network will not provide robust, or habitats and species added to existing Eastern Channel comprehensive protection for our seas. sites, to complete the network.

Map depicts national sites in England and Secretary of State waters only

6 THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS 7 Why we need more Plaice, by Paul Naylor. This Marine Conservation Zones commercially valuable species relies on healthy gravel habitats Southern North Sea

From Flamborough to mid Kent, this habitats. The section known as Inner region covers the waters of the Silver Pit is a 50km glacial tunnel Sediment habitats Southern North Sea. Sites needed to valley. The grounds here are important for shellfish fill gaps here include Silver Pit, which important for edible crab and lobster, would protect deeper water sediment while ross worms create biogenic reefs (made up of tubes of sand created by the worms themselves) along the seabed. Designation would protect these valuable grounds from heavy towed gear. silver pit Silver Pit encompasses two original regional site recommendations; Silver Markham’s triangle Pit and Holderness Offshore, incorporating both deeper shelf habitats and the entire extent of the wash approach glacial feature. Other proposed sites include Kentish Knock East, a series of Lincs belt sandbanks offshore between Kent Alde Ore and Essex. The sand and gravel Orford inshore sediments here provide habitat for burrowing species and foraging kentish knock east ground for rays and catsharks. thames estuary Thermal fronts make this a productive Crabs and lobsters need many area, with the presence of many Northern North Sea years free from disturbance before reaching commercially valuable species of mid-water fish and birds grounds for fish including plaice, size. Pic by Paul Naylor feeding in summer and winter. herring, lemon sole, sandeel and sprat. Important spawning In summer the area captures much of grounds for fish the northerly section of the Flamborough Front, an of nutrients where the cooler northern and warmer southern waters of the North Sea mix, providing an important source for marine mammals. We are also proposing Castle Ground to protect the range of intertidal habitats found here, including rare underboulder communities. This area provides a window into the world beneath the waves: home to seaweeds, sea hares, crabs and molluscs such as blue-rayed limpets. Dotted underneath rocks are anemones and sponges, alongside Durham Heritage Coast Stretching down from the north-east common starfish and brittlestars. coast of Scotland to Flamborough, Even with designation of these sites, Compass Rose this region covers the waters of the a number of gaps may remain in the Northern North Sea. network in this region. We urge both Sites identified here include the UK and Scottish Governments to Compass Rose which would help fill work together to ensure that the the gap for subtidal sand. Its habitats network is ecologically coherent in Castle ground provide spawning and nursery this region.

8 THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS 9 Why we need more Basking use the Western Marine Conservation Zones approaches to follow blooms. Pic by Andrew Pearson Eastern Channel

These waters range from the mid- compromise that meets industry to the high species richness found Kent coastline to just south of the Dart wishes and allows protection of this within the site and is particularly Estuary. Recommended sites include important habitat. important for the populations of the mud habitats of Hythe Bay. These This region also has vast meadows peacock’s tail seaweed found here, sediments are unique to the region, of . Seagrass beds are not thought to be important for seeding packed with the burrows and tubes of only valuable breeding grounds for other areas around the Isle of Wight. an astonishing variety of species, fish and feeding grounds for ; Goodwin Sands is important as it is including the square crab and the they also help to regulate our climate as a transition site, straddling two green-tongued spoon worm. by storing carbon. Sites put forward biogeographical zones. This means There are concerns from the fishing include Studland Bay (with breeding that the species and habitats found industry about the impact of populations of both UK species of here are likely to be unique. designating Hythe Bay. We are seahorse), Norris to Ryde and Designation of the site would help engaged in local discussions to find a Yarmouth to Cowes, both containing protect subtidal coarse sediments, a rich diversity of habitats and species sand and rock habitats, as well as alongside their seagrass beds. fragile ross worm reefs and blue Bembridge rMCZ is significant due mussel beds. The Western Channel Seagrass meadows are vital breeding grounds

goodwin sands and Approaches

axe estuary Fareham Creek hythe bay bembridge South of Portland A wide variety of habitats and species beachy head east norris to ryde Otter Estuary offshore foreland North West of Lundy Yarmouth to Cowes inner bank morte platform Studland Bay east meridian north east of haig fras Broadbench to Kimmeridge Dart estuary selsey bill and the hounds Lyme Bay Deeps Camel Estuary taw torridge estuary cape bank east of jones bank Erme Estuary

Long-snouted seahorse in Studland Devon Avon Estuary Bay, by Julie Hatcher south-west deeps east south east of falmouth

south of the isles of scily

The Western Channel includes site that can fill the gap for deep sea and is a nursery/ spawning ground waters on the south-west coast from bed, a very rare habitat off English for a range of fish, and feeding south of Dartmouth, stretching coasts. Lying 170km off ’s End, ground for seabirds and cetaceans. around Cornwall and encompassing the southern boundary aligns with Other sites include Cape Bank, the north coast waters of the south the UK continental shelf limit. As lying to the west of Land’s End west until St David’s on the Welsh well as protecting the deep sea bed peninsula. The large, crescent coast. habitats, designation would protect shaped reef included within this site Habitat gaps identified here the Celtic Sea Relic Sandbanks, provides shelter for crawfish as well include deep sea bed and subtidal some of the deepest and largest as habitat for colonising species sand. South-West Deeps East is a shelf sand ridges. The site also including filter feeding bryozoans vital site for the network; the only overlaps a seasonal thermal front and the Devonshire cup coral.

10 THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS 11 Why we need more White beaked dolphins filmed off Northumberland, Marine Conservation Zones by Ben Burville. Little is known about this species Irish Sea

This region includes waters of protecting the wider Irish Sea and England, Wales, Northern Ireland and question the long-term sustainability Scotland. Designation of three sites of the prawn as currently (Slieve Na Griddle, Mud Hole and carried out. We are working with local South Rigg) has been delayed communities and the Government to because of so-called economic create a better understanding of concerns about the impact on the management issues in these areas. Northern Ireland Nephrops fishery. Without these sites, we risk leaving These areas of seabed are mainly a gap in the network. It is therefore deep-water mud habitats with vital that all three are included, communities of delicate sea pens, unchanged, in the next round of MCZ hydroids, urchins, molluscs, and designations. burrowing prawns, shrimps and crabs. The volume and variety of here Coastal and deep water mud habitats may be on a par with that of rainforests. Two of the sites have rocky outcrops, which provide a stable base for some creatures to colonise. South Rigg includes a rare breeding population of the long-lived quahog. The of this region makes it an important Solway firth foraging area for seabirds, basking sharks, whales and dolphins. Proposed site for All three are deep, low-energy sites south rigg with little natural disturbance. Their mud hole seabed communities are more diverse slieve na griddle white beaked dolphin and consist of longer-lived species than those of high-energy areas. Unfortunately this also make them wyre and lune A significant gap in the network also population. This makes the area observed in 20% of groups. We are sensitive to human pressures. Ribble Estuary exists for some of our highly mobile nationally important for the species. recommending that this site, the Lyme The Wildlife Trusts believe that Sefton Coast species, including birds and some Photo-identification has shown that Bay Deeps, is designated as a Marine these sites have an important role in dolphins. Specifically, we would like the same individuals are returning Conservation Zone for white-beaked to see gaps in the network filled for time and again, probably for feeding dolphins and Balearic shearwaters, white-beaked dolphins, which occur and breeding. Calves have been amongst other associated species. in shelf waters around the UK. The species is most commonly A site of national importance found in waters cooler than 18°C, and frequently in those below 13°C. European waters probably contain 50%-75% of the global population, meaning these waters are of major conservation importance for the species. Despite this, white-beaked dolphins remain relatively poorly understood, with no conservation strategy in place. The south western portion of Lyme Bay appears to be particularly important, with more than 70 sightings since 2006, and encounters Lyme Bay Deeps in all months and subsequent years. Nephrops, better known as More than 200 individuals have been scampi or langoustine, lives in burrows in the Irish Sea mud. recorded which amounts to around Pic by Paul Naylor 1% of the total European Atlantic

12 THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS 13 Why we need more Marine Conservation Zones

Phosphorescent sea The Welsh Offshore pen by Paul Naylor

During previous consultations, the Celtic Sea to the Irish Sea. ecological value of these sites. designation of six Marine In addition to the sea bed features Designation of sites in the Welsh Conservation Zones in Welsh offshore and associated species found in these offshore will make a huge waters was postponed. This is sites, in particular, the waters in and contribution to the UK wide network, because the offshore waters around around Celtic Deep are important for ensuring that sites off the coast off Wales are likely to be devolved to the some of our highly mobile marine north Devon are connected to sites in Welsh Government shortly. species including whales, dolphins the Welsh inshore and further north Welsh offshore waters remain a and seabirds, emphasising the into the Irish Sea. large gap in our network of protected areas. The area has little protection at These sites can make a huge contribution present. It is imperative that this gap is addressed as delays or even failure to designate offshore sites will leave huge gaps in the UK-wide network of marine protection, putting at risk north st george’s channel extension efforts to restore marine – efforts that will benefit people and wildlife alike. North of celtic deep The six recommended Marine Conservation Zones cover a range of habitats including rock, sand, mud east of celtic deep mid st george’s channel and horse mussel reefs; and species including sea pen and the long-lived clam, the ocean quahog. Together these sites would make a large and celtic deep significant contribution to the south of celtic deep network of marine protection from

If left undisturbed, the ocean quahog can live for at least 500 years. Pic by Paul Kay

14 THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS 15 Marine Conservation Zones are good for everyone

Designation of the sites in these pages would help the UK Government to fulfil their obligations towards an ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas in UK waters. We believe that all 48 sites, as well as the Welsh offshore sites should be designated as part of the third and final tranche of Marine Conservation Zones. You can find more information about the individual sites proposed within this report on our webpages (wildlifetrusts.org/MCZs) and a full list of sites is below.

n Alde Ore Estuary n Goodwin Sands n Sefton Coast n Axe estuary n Hythe Bay n Selsey Bill and the Hounds n Beachy Head East n Inner Bank n Silver Pit n Bembridge n Kentish Knock East n Sleive Na Griddle n Broad Bench to Kimmeridge Bay n Lincs Belt n Solway Firth n Camel Estuary n Lyme Bay Deeps n South-East Falmouth n Cape Bank n Markham’s Triangle n South of Portland n Castle Ground n Morte Platform n South of the Isles of Scilly n Compass Rose n Mud Hole n South Rigg n Dart estuary n North-East of Haig Fras n South-West Deeps (East) n Devon Avon Estuary n North West of Lundy n Studland Bay n Durham Heritage Coast n Norris to Ryde n Taw Torridge Estuary n East Meridian n Offshore Foreland n Thames Estuary n East of Jones Bank n Orford Inshore n Wash Approach n Erme Estuary n Otter estuary n Wyre and Lune n Fareham Creek n Ribble Estuary n Yarmouth to Cowes

To keep up-to-date with the designation of Marine Conservation Zones and to help support our campaign for a truly ambitious network, why not join our e-mailing list and become a Friend of Marine Conservation Zones at wildlifetrusts.org/MCZfriends

Cover picture: Studland Bay by Andrew Pearson