Many thanks to Jolyon Chesworth, Head of Conservation at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust for updating us on the outcome of Defra’s recent Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) Consultation.
He tells us that out of the 127 sites put forward by the Stakeholder process, just 31 have been selected to progress in 2013.
Unfortunately, this does not include any of the original proposals for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
“Bitterly disappointed”
Jolyon says that the Trust is “bitterly disappointed that the local marine environment will not benefit from MCZ designation in the near future, if at all.
“I would strongly urge anyone who has an interest in the local marine environment and its protection through MCZs to respond to this consultation and demand that Defra designates these sites.”
Have your say
If you’d like to ensure that our local marine life is protected, you can write to Defra by emailing [email protected]
The full consultation can be seen online.
The HIWWT will be publishing further details in the New Year.
