Marine Conservation Zone facts for kids
A Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) is a special area in the UK seas. It is like a nature reserve, but underwater! These zones were created in 2009 to protect important, rare, or endangered sea animals and their homes. About 20% of UK waters now have some protection. However, some groups worry that there are no clear plans for how to manage each zone.
After Brexit, new rules were planned in 2020. These rules would give the Marine Management Organisation more power to look after English waters.
Contents
No-Fishing Zones
Most Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) do not completely stop fishing. But some special areas are "no-take zones." This means no fishing or taking anything from the sea is allowed there.
The Lundy Island MCZ has a no-take zone that started in 2003. By 2010, two more no-take zones were set up in UK waters. Another one was added in 2016.
- Lamlash Bay (2008): This zone is now part of the South Arran Marine Protection Area.
- Flamborough Head (2010): This no-take zone is part of a marine SAC, not an MCZ.
- Medway Nursery Area (2016): This large no-take zone is part of the Medway Estuary MCZ.
Some people, like environmentalist George Monbiot, think that MCZs should have more "no-take" areas to better protect the sea.
Marine Conservation Zones in England
On November 21, 2013, the first 27 Marine Conservation Zones were created in England. Then, 23 more were added on January 17, 2016. Now, there are 50 MCZs in English seas. They protect an area of about 7,886 square miles (20,424 square kilometres).
MCZs from 2013
|
MCZs from 2016
|
Marine Conservation Zones in Northern Ireland
After the Marine Act (Northern Ireland) was passed in 2013, only Strangford Lough was made a Marine Conservation Zone. In 2015, plans for four more MCZs were announced. These four new zones were officially created in December 2016.
Proposed Marine Conservation Zones
- Carlingford
- Outer Belfast Lough
- Rathlin
- Waterfoot
Marine Protected Areas in Scotland
In 2014, the Scottish government announced 30 new Marine Protected Areas. Along with other protected sites, about 20% of Scottish waters now have different levels of protection. These include:
- 30 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)
- 47 Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
- 61 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)
Nature Conservation Marine Protected Areas
|
There are 17 protected areas close to Scotland's coast (within 12 nautical miles or 22 kilometres):
|
Another 13 protected areas are further out in Scottish waters:
|
Marine Conservation Zones in Wales
Skomer Marine Conservation Zone (around the island of Skomer) is the only place in Wales officially called a Marine Conservation Zone. There are 128 marine protected areas in Welsh seas. Natural Resources Wales is working with the Welsh Government to see if more areas need protecting.
