Marine Conservation Zones in the Irish Sea

• A team of 7 people.

• Based at Envirolink Northwest in Warrington.

• A new project to support the development of Marine Conservation Zones in the Irish Sea region.

Who are Irish Sea Conservation Zones?

Why Are We Here?

Help secure a healthy and productive future

for the coast and waters of the Irish

Sea.

EC Habitats & Birds

Directives

Based on scientific and socio-economic factors

Marine & Coastal Access

Bill

Wildlife & Countryside

Act

MCZs

SPAs

SACs

SSSIs

MPA Network

2012

A New Type of MPA for England & Wales

Based on scientific grounds

Ramsar

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance

What is a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ)?

Protects nationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology and geomorphology.

May take socio-economic factors into account.

Stakeholders will be actively involved in deciding the location of MCZs.

The MCZ Project

• The Project has been set-up by Defra, JNCC and Natural England.

• It will be delivered by 4 regional projects:– Irish Sea Conservation

Zones– Finding Sanctuary (south-west

England)– Balanced Seas (south-east

England)– Net Gain (North Sea)

Irish Sea Conservation Zones

Project Delivery

ISCZ Project

2009 2011

Natural England & JNCC advise on suitability of network

Recommendation for regional MCZ network submitted.

Formal consultation

2012

MCZs designated

• Support sea users.• Hire an independent facilitator• Meet National ecological guidance.• Impact Assessment • It is not our role to decide where MCZs will be or how

they will be managed.

What is our role?

Who are the Stakeholders?

©Dave Willis

1. Informing users in the area about the project.

2. Creating a group who can voice the opinion of sea users & interest groups using the Irish Sea.

4. Supporting feedback from the Group to the communities it represents.

3. Hosting a number of workshops to establish a set of site specific recommendations for MCZs in the Irish Sea.

5. Ensuring MCZs meet national ecological guidance and gaining consensus from all interested parties.

6. Submission of a set of recommendations to JNCC and Natural England

Provision of Data to Support Decisions

Delivering the Project

County Workshops

•Attended by 145 stakeholders throughout the northwest

The Regional Stakeholder Group

• Decide the location, size and shape of MCZs

• Decide the conservation objectives

• Contribute to an impact assessment

Local MCZ Groups

• Review and comment • Provide feedback - local issues and

concerns.• Could not make recommendations

on the location of MCZs.

Information collection & understanding local knowledge

• We need to understand which areas of sea are important to stakeholders.- Minimise impacts- More widely supported- More likely to be successful

Provision of Data to Support Decisions

Fishing ValueRestricted Netting Areas

Participatory MappingCommercial Fishers

Charter Boat Operators

Anglers

Wildlife Enthusiasts

Scuba Divers

Leisure Boating

One to One Participatory Mapping - Questionnaire

Activity and local knowledge presented to Regional Stakeholder Group

Liaison Officers

ISCZ Team

Project Delivery

ISCZ Project

2009 2011

Natural England & JNCC advise on suitability of network

Recommendation for regional MCZ network submitted.

Formal consultation

2012

MCZs designated

Why get involved?

• The design and location of MCZs may have both benefits and costs for people who use and value the sea.

• MCZs are more likely to be successful if they have the support and collaboration of everyone who uses the sea from the outset.

• If the recommendations meet the national guidance and are supported by a wide range of sea users then the Government are likely to adopt them.

Thank you!

© Dave Willis

Emily Hardman 07891 842 282

Kieran Bell 07515 167 297

Website: www.irishseaconservation.org.uk