By Gareth Cunningham, Marine Policy Officer, Wales
The Welsh Government has launched its Marine consultation Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) - Potential Site Options for Welsh Waters to create new highly protected Marine Conservation Zones (hpMCZ) in Welsh waters. This is an important step towards safeguarding marine biodiversity and recovering the health of Welsh seas. Unlike the rest of the UK, Wales has decided to designate highly protective areas. These sites will be protected from the extraction and deposition of living and non-living resources and all other damaging activities. The final sites are intended to supplement the existing Marine Protected Areas and contribute to the recovery, resilience of these areas whilst developing a better understanding of natural ecosystems.
The 10 candidate sites are located: Skomer, Dale In Pembrokeshire, South West of Strumble Head, an Offshore site near Newquay, Bardsey Island, St Tudwal’s Island, a site on the North Llyn peninsula, the Mouth of the Dwyfor, North east Menai Strait and Puffin Island. An interactive map can be found here.
The consultation will end on 31 July and until then members of the public, sea users and coastal communities have the opportunity to share their views on proposed potential locations for new protected areas called Marine Conservation Zones in Wales. The Welsh Government intends to designate 3-4 hpMCZs by early 2014.
RSPB Cymru will be responding to the consultation and calling on our supporters to get involved and have their say. Further details of how to get involved will be uploaded soon and on twitter @RSPBCymru, or you can follow #hpMCZs
Photo Anthony Griffiths