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News from the last 30 days, for archived news items, please click here.
The UK Marine Protected Areas Centre reports news on MPAs and marine conservation, policy and biodiversity from the United Kingdom foremost, but also from Europe and the world. We also like to highlight recent scientific findings and upcoming conferences on related topics, as well as issues relating to marine industries (including fisheries & renewable energies). We search for content that is of interest to stakeholders, MPA practitioners and the general public.
If you have a story that you would like to see featured on the UKMPA news page, please send it to info@mpas.org.uk.
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The Marine (Scotland) Act yesterday received Royal Assent, meaning it has passed through both the Houses of Commons and Lords and can now become law. The long awaited Act, which will be implemented by Marine Scotland, SNH and the JNCC, will provide a framework for protecting and enhancing the Scottish marine environment, and help economic growth for areas including renewables. New powers to select and manage MPAs, enhance biodiversity and preserve historic monuments are also included within the Act and complement the provisions of the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 through devolved executive responsibility.
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With the introduction of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, Lord Howarth of Newport calls for the Marine Management Organisation to introduce the same protection measures afforded to wrecks found within the 12 nm territorial water limit (under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973), to be extended throughout the 200 nm EEZ limit. Through this he hopes to prevent damage to wrecks from commercial activities including wind farm installation and mineral extraction.
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Jim Portus, Chief Executive Officer of the South Western Fish Producer's Organisation (SWFPO) supports the recent MEP vote in favour of reforming the current European Fishing policy to allow existing fishery regulatory bodies to decide upon local quota limits. He calls for national government, scientists and local fishermen to agree regional level quotas and put an end to the current level of unnecessary discard. SEAFISH also welcomes the move.
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The Fishing Coalition for Marine Protected Areas has been formed and includes much of the UK's fishing industry. The alliance will provide vital recommendations to Government and conservation organisations involved in the development of an MPA network. Both JNCC and Natural England have welcomed the formation of the coalition, which will provide a unified voice of collaboration between the industry and MPA developers.
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Natural England and their partners are beginning a survey of the south coast of the Isle of Wight, an important SAC. The habitat mapping survey will provide scientists with a better understanding of marine communities in tide-swept areas.
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A Marine Act seminar is being held in Exeter at Sandy Park on March 30th. The meeting will discuss the implications of the Act for those involved in managing or developing the marine and coastal environment. The schedule includes speakers from Natural England, Devon Wildlife Trust, the Marine Management Organisation and Royal Haskoning. Registration is due by March 22nd and costs £50 + VAT.
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The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management is holding a conference on Ecosystem Services in London at Hamilton House on March 24th. Marine as well as terrestrial topics will be discussed and the programme includes speakers from Defra, Natural England and Plymouth Marine Lab. Registration may be made here.
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New research published in the Journal of Environmental Management examines the factors determining the success of pilot projects aimed at reducing fish discards in European fisheries. The seven most important factors are identified, showing how regulators can most effectively cut wasteful fish discards at sea.
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Dr. Jason Hall-Spencer of the University of Plymouth has shown that some of the most threatened ecosystems may be those that we don't even know about. Although less than 1% of the worlds seamounts have been surveyed or studied, ocean acidification and deep-water bottom trawling continue to place many of them at risk. Jason's work will be presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting in San Diego this week.
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Fishermen in the Scottish Fishermens Federation and the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO) want to ensure balance in the creation of new MCZs under the Marine Act and other MPAs under the Natura 2000 EU agreement. The industry states that they are not opposing new MPAs, but wish to ensure that the implications of reductions in access to fishing grounds are properly considered by policy makers.
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A new study from the USA of 37 years of survey data finds that coral cover remains constant and even increases in protected areas, compared to declining cover in unprotected regions. Protected and unprotected areas were compared in over 4000 reefs from 83 countries. The paper follows the previous findings of Prof. Peter Mumby at the University of Exeter, whose 2009 study shows negative impacts on coral reef health due to lack of protection of herbivorous reef fish.
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A new Welsh Assembly Government Order places spatial and technical restrictions on scallop fishing in Welsh waters and prohibits dredging altogether in several areas. Except for part of Cardigan Bay SAC, all Welsh SACs will remain closed to scallop dredging until further habitat surveys are performed. See here for another news report on the scallop restrictions.
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A webpage on the independent Science Advisory Panel (SAP) and their activities with respect to the creation of new Marine Conservation Zones has been created by Defra. The SAP site includes a document on the MCZ selection process, as well as the minutes of the most recent SAP meeting. There is also a short bio on each of the SAP members.
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The Marine (Scotland) Bill has been passed by Members of the Scottish Parliament. The bill contains provisions for simpler licensing and gives new powers for the selection and management of MPAs. In particular, seals and Scottish waters out to 200 nautical miles will receive improved protection under the bill. A motion for final approval of the bill and submission for Royal Assent could be made in under a month, depending on the number of references and orders made in the post-Stage 3 phase.
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The formal consultation by JNCC, Natural England and CCW on 12 new Natura 2000 MPAs will end on February 26th. Included are 10 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and 2 Special Areas of Conservation (SPAs) in English and Welsh waters, including the North-West Rockall Bank offshore site, Liverpool Bay and the Poole Bay to Lyme Bay Reefs area. Formal comments on inshore sites can be directed to Natural England and those on offshore sites can be sent to JNCC.
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A new study finds that if current trends continue, less than 10% of Europe's fisheries will be sustainable by 2015, breaching legal obligations under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Halting fishing activities now would still result in 22% of the fisheries remaining depleted until 2045.
Thursday 11th of March 2010Royal Assent received for Scottish Marine Bill
Tuesday 09th of March 2010Call for more effective policies to protect UK underwater heritage
Tuesday 09th of March 2010Support for regional level fishing quota management
Friday 26th of February 2010New fishing coalition for MPAs
Friday 26th of February 2010Surveys of South Wight
Tuesday 23rd of February 2010Seminar on Marine and Coastal Access Act
Tuesday 23rd of February 2010Conference on Ecosystem Services
Tuesday 23rd of February 2010New research on effectively reducing fish discards
Friday 19th of February 2010Gone before we know it?
Thursday 18th of February 2010Coalitions to represent fishermen in new MCZ process
Thursday 18th of February 2010MPAs help coral reefs survive and recover
Wednesday 17th of February 2010Scallop dredging restricted in Wales
Wednesday 17th of February 2010New Defra webpage on MCZ Science Advisory Panel
Wednesday 10th of February 2010Scottish Marine Bill is passed
Wednesday 10th of February 2010Consultation on new MPAs nears completion
Wednesday 10th of February 201091% of European fish stocks may be unsustainable by 2015