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Marine Conservation Zones in the Irish Sea

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<ul><li>A team of 7 people. </li></ul><ul><li>Based at Envirolink Northwest in Warrington. </li></ul><ul><li>A new project to support the development of Marine Conservation Zones in the Irish Sea region. </li></ul>Who are Irish Sea Conservation Zones?

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Why Are We Here? Help secure a healthy and productive future for the coast and waters of the Irish Sea.

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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

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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.

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The MCZ Project <ul><li>The Project has been set-up by Defra, JNCC and Natural England. </li></ul><ul><li>It will be delivered by 4 regional projects: </li></ul><ul><ul><li>Irish Sea Conservation Zones </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Finding Sanctuary (south-west England) </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Balanced Seas (south-east England) </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Net Gain (North Sea) </li></ul></ul>

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Irish Sea Conservation Zones

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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

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<ul><li>Support sea users. </li></ul><ul><li>Hire an independent facilitator </li></ul><ul><li>Meet National ecological guidance . </li></ul><ul><li>Impact Assessment </li></ul><ul><li>It is not our role to decide where MCZs will be or how they will be managed. </li></ul>What is our role?

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Who are the Stakeholders? ©Dave Willis

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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

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County Workshops <ul><li>Attended by 145 stakeholders throughout the northwest </li></ul>

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The Regional Stakeholder Group <ul><ul><li>Decide the location, size and shape of MCZs </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Decide the conservation objectives </li></ul></ul><ul><ul><li>Contribute to an impact assessment </li></ul></ul>

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Local MCZ Groups <ul><li>Review and comment </li></ul><ul><li>Provide feedback - local issues and concerns. </li></ul><ul><li>Could not make recommendations on the location of MCZs. </li></ul>

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Information collection & understanding local knowledge <ul><li>We need to understand which areas of sea are important to stakeholders. </li></ul><ul><li>- Minimise impacts </li></ul><ul><li>- More widely supported </li></ul><ul><li>- More likely to be successful </li></ul>Provision of Data to Support Decisions

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Fishing Value Restricted Netting Areas

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Participatory Mapping Commercial 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

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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

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Why get involved? <ul><li>The design and location of MCZs may have both benefits and costs for people who use and value the sea. </li></ul><ul><li>MCZs are more likely to be successful if they have the support and collaboration of everyone who uses the sea from the outset. </li></ul><ul><li>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. </li></ul>

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Thank you! © Dave Willis Emily Hardman 07891 842 282 Kieran Bell 07515 167 297 Website: www.irishseaconservation.org.uk