Sea reserves rubberstamped

devon.editorial@archant.co.uk
19 November 2009

A PIONEERING project to set up new sea-based nature reserves around the south-west has been given final approval by Parliament.

The Marine and Coastal Access Bill was rubber stamped this week giving the Finding Sanctuary project the go ahead to continue work with local sea users to plan these new Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs).

Finding Sanctuary is one of four projects around the coast of England, bringing sea users and interest groups together to plan MCZs to safeguard marine wildlife, habitats, geology and geomorphology.

Tom Hooper, Finding Sanctuary's Project Manager said: "The Marine and Coastal Access Act offers the most important opportunity for marine protection there has ever been, because it paves the way for the designation of new Marine Conservation Zones to protect marine wildlife and habitats.

"Our challenge in the south-west is to make sure these are protected whilst taking people's livelihoods and leisure activities into consideration."

The project has been speaking to Exmouth's fishermen, anglers, conservationists, pleasure boaters and other sea users and has formed a steering group to recommend locations for Marine Conservation Zones to Government in June 2011.

"We believe that the people and groups that could be affected by Marine Conservation Zones should be involved in deciding where they are located and how they are managed.

"At Finding Sanctuary we are working on behalf of everyone to achieve the best possible outcome, both in terms of conservation and people's livelihoods and leisure interests.

"However, we can only achieve this if sea users get involved in planning Marine Conservation Zones."

You can find more information by going to www.finding-sanctuary.org, or go to the next Finding Sanctuary drop in day at Elizabeth Hall on November 18 10am to 8pm.