Fifteen new areas to give protection to UK seas
20 August 2010
Fifteen new Marine Protected Areas were created today, designed
to protect important habitats and species.
The areas have been submitted by the UK Government to the
European Commission to be included within the European ‘Natura
2000’ network of protected areas.
The sites which were selected on the basis of the best
scientific evidence available, have undergone a rigorous and
transparent assessment and will bring protection to habitats
including reefs, sea caves and sandbanks, where marine life
thrives. Sandbanks act as nursery grounds for many commercial fish
species such as plaice and sole whilst also supporting sand eel
communities that are a food source for seabirds and mammals such as
seals. Reefs support a colourful array of sponges, sea squirts and
corals that provide shelter for crabs, lobsters and fish such as
the multi-coloured cuckoo wrasse. Birds will also benefit, with
sites selected for the conservation of the red-throated diver and
common scoter.
Marine Environment Minister, Richard Benyon, said:
“Our seas are home to some of the most diverse species and
habitats in the world and they need just as much protection as our
land. Today is a major step forward in helping us to achieve clean,
healthy and vibrant seas where marine life can thrive.
Working hand-in-hand with the creation of Marine Conservation
Zones, created under the groundbreaking Marine and Coastal Access
Act, these sites will make a major contribution to the delivery of
an ecological network of Marine Protected Areas by 2012.”
Two consultations also start today for sites at the Dogger Bank
in the North Sea and proposed new boundaries for Lune Deep
and Prawle Point to Start Point. The Dogger Bank is not only
an important sandbank habitat but is also a key area for the UK
meeting its renewable energy target by 2020. The identification of
the Dogger Bank as both a conservation site and an area for
windfarm development illustrates the compatibility that
can exist between energy development and nature conservation.
The consultations will close on 12th November 2010.
– ENDS –
Notes to editors:
1. The new candidate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
are:
- Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge
- North Norfolk Sandbanks and Saturn Reef
- Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton
- Margate and Long Sands
- Bassurelle Sandbank
- Lyme Bay and Torbay
- Prawle Point to Plymouth Sound and Eddystone
- Lizard Point
- Land’s End and Cape Bank
- Shell Flat
- Red Bay
- North West Rockall Bank
- Wyville Thomson Ridge
The new Special Protection Areas (for birds) are:
- Outer Thames Estuary
- Liverpool Bay/Bae Lerpwl (agreed with the Welsh Assembly
Government)
The two possible SACs subject to another consultation by Natural
England are:
- Lune Deep
- Prawle Point to Start Point
The possible SAC being consulted upon by JNCC is:
Further information on the Natura 2000 sites, new sites and the
consultations may be found on:
www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/marine/sacconsultation/default.aspx
www.jncc.gov.uk/marineconsult
http://www.doeni.gov.uk/ and
http://www.ni-environment.gov.uk/
2. Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs):
MCZs are a new national designation as proposed in the new Marine
and Coastal Access Act 2009. MCZs will be designated to protect
nationally important and representative habitats and species and,
together with the Natura 2000 sites, Sites of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSIs), Ramsar sites and new national MPAs in Scotland
and Northern Ireland will create our MPA network. MCZs in English
inshore and English, Welsh and Northern Irish offshore waters will
be identified through a different process to the Natura 2000 sites.
Recommendations are proposed to be made to Government by October
2011. More information about MCZs and MPA projects in Scotland and
Wales is available.
3. For more information, maps and photographs of marine species
please contact:
Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural
Affairs
Martin Deller, Senior Press Officer
T: 020 7238 5391
Defra website
Natural England
Michelle Hawkins, Press
Officer
T: 0300 060 1109 / 07775 585 935
Natural England
website
Welsh Assembly Government
For press
enquiries:
Lynsey May on 029 2089 8329, or
Steve Robbins on 029 2089 8665, or
Anna Miller on 029 2089 8905.
Countryside Council for Wales / Cyngor Cefn Gwlad
Cymru
Helen Evans, Senior Press Officer
T: 01248 387377
Countryside Council for Wales
website
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC): for UK offshore
waters including Dogger Bank
Communications Team, JNCC
T: 01733 866886
JNCC website
Department of the Environment (Northern
Ireland)
All media enquiries should be directed to the
DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of hours, please contact the
duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call
will be returned.