The Defra consultation seeks views on proposals for the designation of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in English inshore and English and Welsh offshore waters.
A total of 127 potential Marine Conservation Zones were selected through a multi-million pound stakeholder-led programme which ran from 2009-2011, and in July 2012 the government’s advisers supported the proposed network of 127 sites and identified 59 sites as priorities for immediate designation. The complete proposed network of 127 MCZs can be viewed on the NBN Gateway here.
The current proposal puts forward 31 sites for designation. This consultation is the primary opportunity for anyone with an interest in the marine environment and coastal communities to have their say and influence the decisions on how many MCZs are designated, where they are designated and for what features. Information and comments submitted will inform the decision on which sites will be designated in 2013, and will also be used as part of the decision-making process to prioritise the designation of the remaining sites in future years.
Follow this link to take part in the consultation, which runs until 31st March 2013.