Government consults on MCZs

Government consults on greater protection for Welsh seas

PRESS RELEASE

Government consults on greater protection for Welsh seas

A group of five environmental organisations welcomes progress in improving the protection of the sea around Wales. Welsh Government’s consultation on creating Marine Conservation Zones in Welsh waters is an important step towards safeguarding marine biodiversity and recovering the health of Welsh seas. Launched in mid-April, this public consultation gives sea users and coastal communities the opportunity to share their views on proposed potential locations for new protected areas called Marine Conservation Zones in Wales. Further consultation is expected throughout 2013, with Welsh Ministers due to designate sites in spring 2014.

Over 36% of Wales’ territorial waters are currently designated as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), but inadequate management means that a number of these important areas are failing to protect the habitats and species they are designed to conserve.  Marine Conservation Zones will add an additional layer of protection to Welsh waters, providing the first highly protected sites where no damaging activities will be permitted; complimenting existing MPAs that are often extensively used for a wide range of activities including fishing, recreation and other uses. 

 Dr Iwan Ball, Chair of the WEL Marine Working Group, says “WEL welcomes the consultation as an initial step forward to allow Welsh seas to reverse the decline in our most valuable habitats and species, but we are disappointed by the lack of ambition already being demonstrated by Welsh Government in limiting the size and number of these protected areas.”

“It is essential that Marine Conservation Zones are in the best locations possible to protect and conserve Wales’ most precious and fragile marine habitats; getting the right sites designated is critical and should not be traded off for economic benefit.  We also urge Welsh Government to ensure existing MPAs in Wales are managed better in the future, as they are in danger of not protecting the rich marine wildlife and wonderful variety of habitats they are trying to protect”.

The sea around Wales contributes around £2.5 billion to the Welsh economy every year – a large portion of which comes from tourism. We need a healthy, well-managed marine environment to continue to attract visitors. Well-managed Marine Protected Areas are vital, along with wider marine management measures such as marine planning and fisheries management, to support biologically diverse and productive seas in Wales. This will be vital not only for protecting wildlife but also to support the marine economy and the fight against climate change.

WEL are calling for members of the public and sea users to show their support for Marine Protected Areas.  For more information and the link to the consultation, visit www.waleslinkmarine.org.uk

The Marine Campaign is run by Wales Environment Link’s Marine Working Group, which comprises representatives from Wildlife Trusts Wales, WWF Cymru, RSPB Cymru, Marine Conservation Society and National Trust.