Guide to UK Marine Protected Areas

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

The Seafish Guide To

This is one of a series of guides in which Seafish explores topical issues affecting the UK seafood industry. This guide takes a practical look at Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): what they are, the different types of MPA including Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) and what is being proposed under the UK and Scottish Marine Bills.

January 2013PART OF THE ‘SEAFISH GUIDE TO . . .’ SERIES



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A DefinitionThere is no one single internationally accepted definition of a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Most commonly, the term ‘Marine Protected Area’ is used to describe an area of the sea which may be identified as being important for marine wildlife, habitats, cultural heritage or for fisheries purposes. The definition currently used by Defra is; ‘Marine Protected Areas (MPA) describes a wide range of marine areas which have some level of restriction to protect living, non-living, cultural, and/or historic resources. In the UK, MPAs have primarily been set up to help conserve marine biodiversity, in particular species and habitats of European and national importance1.

Beyond that, MPAs are designated areas of our oceans, seas and coasts where species and habitats are protected through legal or other effective means from activities that are damaging or cause disturbance. Fishing activities which do not have a significant impact on wildlife will be unaffected, some fishing activities might need to be restricted in certain areas, but if so, it may be possible to find wildlife-friendly ways to keep working.

MPAs can be established for different reasons. Marine nature conservation MPAs are areas identified for biodiversity protection. They are used for nature conservation where their primary objectives relate to the conservation and recovery of marine wildlife and habitats. However, they may also benefit fish populations. More generally, the term ‘Fisheries MPA’ is used to describe a tool for fish stock management and recovery.

Types Of MPAs2

Nature Conservation MPAs

Marine nature conservation MPAs are indentified for biodiversity protection, whose primary objectives relate to the conservation and recovery of marine biodiversity and ecosystems. They are usually designated around permanent geographic features to allow the recovery and maintenance of biodiversity and have different management strategies ranging from multi or managed use of strict protection of Highly Protected Marine Reserves (HPMRs).

In the UK and Europe, nature conservation MPA management has focused on multi-use. Nature Conservation MPAs are a feature of the marine nature conservation toolkit and can be established under both fisheries and conservation legislation.

Fisheries MPAs

Fisheries MPAs are spatially defined areas of sea or estuary where natural populations of commercial species (finfish and/or shellfish) are protected either in part or completely from exploitation or other detrimental human activities. Fisheries MPAs provide a tool for issues such as stock management and fish stock recovery. They can be permanent or non-permanent, gear type specific, fish species specific, vessel type or size specific etc. There are two sub-types of fisheries MPAs:

• A closed area is a fisheries management tool that relates to a sea area which is closed (either permanently or seasonally) to a certain fishing gear or vessel size, or for a certain target species usually for the purpose of fish stock management or recovery.

• A No Take Zone (NTZ) is an area of sea that has been temporarily or permanently closed to all fishing (not just some gear types) to protect fish stocks and/or natural habitats. NTZs can enable the ecosystem within the area to recover from the effects of fishing.

Key Facts

The UK Government vision is for ‘clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas’

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The Marine Policy Statement (MPS) re-stated Governments’ vision for ‘clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas’. To help deliver this vision the four Devolved Administrations have signed up to international agreements3 that aim to establish an ‘ecologically coherent’ network of MPAs. The MPA network4 in the UK will be a collection of areas that work together to provide more benefits than an individual area could on its own.

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and the Northern Ireland Marine Bill specify that the MPA network should: contribute to conservation or improvement of the marine environment in the UK marine area; represent the range of features present in the UK marine area; and that the conservation of a feature may require the designation of more than one site.

The UK MPA network will contribute to a wider North East Atlantic MPA network and will include5,6:

• Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)

• Special Protection Areas (SPAa)

• Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)/ Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs)

• Ramsar sites

• Marine Nature Reserves (MNRs)

• New Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in English and Welsh waters, Nature Conservation MPAs (Scottish inshore waters and the Scottish offshore region), and MCZs in Northern Ireland territorial waters.

European Marine Sites (also referred to as SACs and SPAs)- European Marine Sites is an umbrella

term describing the marine areas of sites designated under the European Habitats and Birds Directives. These two Directives require that site selection is based on scientific grounds and do not permit economic or social impacts to influence the choice of their sites or boundaries. However, economic and social factors are taken into account in the management of these sites.

- SACs and SPAs can be designated or classified in the inshore and offshore areas of UK waters.

- SACs protect particular species or habitats of European importance, and SPAs protect areas which support large populations of birds.

- These marine sites, together with terrestrial and freshwater sites, form part of the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas.

Designations And Legislative Framework

Key Facts

The UK has signed up to international agreements that aim to establish an ‘ecologically coherent’ network of MPAs

International Marine Sites

Existing Ramsar Sites +

European Marine Sites

Existing Natura 2000 Sites

(SACs & SPAs)

New Natura 2000

Sites

+

National Marine Sites

Existing SitesofScientificInterest (SSSIs)

New Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs)

++

The New MPA Network In The UK

UK MPANETWORK

MCZs

NATURECONSERVATION

MPAs

SACs

SPAs

SSSIs

RAMSARSITES

MARINE AND COASTAL ACCESS ACT 2009

MARINE (SCO

TLAND)

ACT 2010

HABI

TATS

DIRE

CTIV

E

BIRDS DIRECTIVE

WILDLIFE ANT

COUNTRYSIDE ACT

CONV

ENTI

ON

ON

WIL

DLIF

E

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SitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSI) in England, Scotland and Wales andAreasofSpecialScientificInterest(ASSI) in Northern Ireland - These sites are designated to protect the

best examples of the UK’s plants, animals or geological features.

- They are primarily land-based, but some sites extend below the low water mark.

- They are set up under national legislation; SSSIs under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and ASSIs under the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) 1985.

Ramsar sites - Ramsar sites are designated under the

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, agreed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.

- They are designed to protect wetlands defined as “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres”.

- They may also incorporate coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six metres at low tide lying within the wetlands.

International policy drivers

There are international policy drivers for the UK MPA network, based on the OSPAR Convention, the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the Convention on Biological Diversity. There are also links to European Directives such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and EC Birds and Habitats Directives which make reference to establishing coherent networks.

OSPAR is the convention by which fifteen Governments of the western coasts and catchments of Europe, together with the European Community, co-operate to protect the marine environment of the North East Atlantic. OSPAR guidance7 outlines five main elements to assist in interpreting the concept of an ecologically coherent MPA network. These include taking into account features, representivity, connectivity, resilience and management.

Key Facts

With a coastline of over 12,000 km the UK has a large marine area, rich in marine life and natural resource

The seas around England are home to over 8,000 species including many of national and European importance, from corals and jellyfish to seahorses and lobsters

In the UK, MPAs have primarily been set up to help conserve or recover nationally significant or representative examples of marine biodiversity, including threatened or declining species and habitats of European and national importance

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MCZ Proposals – How The UK Will Look

EnglandMCZs recommended by Regional MCZ Projects, MCZs proposed for designation in 2013, Special Areas of Conservation (with marine component) and Special Protection Areas (with marine component)8,9.

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ScotlandNature Conservation MPA proposals10 (for the combined view of existing protected areas and other area based measures, as well as Nature Conservation MPA proposals see www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0041/00410766.pdf)

New MCZ DesignationsEach Administration in the UK has responsibility for designating MCZs (known as Marine Protected Areas in Scotland) in their territorial waters out to 12 nautical miles. There is also executive devolution of responsibility to the Scottish Government for offshore waters adjacent to Scotland. Each Administration is taking a different approach to identifying and designating MCZs.

Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) – in English and Welsh waters12

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 allows for the designation of MCZs – a new type of marine protected area. Science will

be the first consideration in the selection of MCZs but socio-economic factors can be taken into account to try to minimise impacts on people’s activities. These replace Marine Nature Reserves in England. Lundy Marine Nature Reserve became the first MCZ in English waters. Under the provisions of the Act stakeholders were to be involved in making the initial recommendations for MCZs. Four regional groups were established: Finding Sanctuary in the south west; Balanced Seas (south east), Irish Sea Conservation Zones (Irish Sea) and Net Gain (North Sea) to provide technical expertise in developing the MCZ recommendations and to handle the day-to-day management of the process.

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Next StepsThis will be an ongoing process. The Department for Food, Rural Affairs and the Environment (DEFRA) issued a consultation in December 2012 to seeks views on proposals for the designation of MCZs in English inshore and English and Welsh offshore waters. Defra is proposing that up to 31 sites are good candidates for designation in 20138 (see map on page 5).

In Wales a Task and Finish Team has been established within the Welsh Government to advise how to take forward MCZs in Wales. A consultation in 2012 presented 10 potential sites as options for further consideration as highly protected marine conservation zones9.

The Scottish Marine Protected Areas Project reported to the Scottish Parliament on progress in developing the network at the end of 2012. There is a proposal for 33 Nature Conservation MPAs. A further four search areas have been identified to protect dolphins, whales and basking sharks, while proposals for black guillemot, sandeels and tidal fronts would enhance protection for seabirds. A consultation is expected in 201310 (see map on page 6).

The Northern Ireland Marine Bill was introduced in February 2012 and is currently being considered by the Northern Ireland Assembly. The first MCZ to be considered for designation will be the Strangford Lough which is currently a Marine Nature Reserve (MNR). Similar to other parts of the UK, Marine Nature Reserve legislation is being repealed11.

Who protects wildlife in the UK? Marine wildlife protection in the UK is carried out on behalf of Government by the statutory nature conservation agencies: the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC); Scottish Natural Heritage; the Countryside Council for Wales; the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside in Northern Ireland, and Natural England.

The Marine Conservation Project Wales has identified a small number of highly protected MCZs for designation in Welsh inshore waters based on site selection guidance for highly protected MCZs.

Scottish MPAs10

The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 include powers for Scottish Ministers to designate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Scotland’s seas. Scottish Nature Conservation MPAs are a new national designation for the conservation of nationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology and undersea landforms.

The Scottish MPA project is a joint project between Marine Scotland Scottish Natural Heritage, JNCC, Historic Scotland and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. It will identify and recommend Nature Conservation MPAs to Scottish Government. Nature Conservation MPAs will be identified using science-based selection guidelines, but the likely effects on socio-economic activities can be considered in the designation of sites. There are also provisions for two other types of designation known as Demonstration/Research MPAs and Historic MPAs.

Northern Irish MCZs11 A new Northern Ireland Marine Bill sets out a framework for Northern Ireland’s seas and the designation of MCZs. Designation may be carried out for conserving species of marine flora and fauna and geological/geomorphological features, taking fully into account any economic or social consequences of designation.

Key Facts

The seas around Scotland are among the richest in Europe for marine mammals

ContactSeafishat:Seafish, Origin Way, Europarc, Grimsby DN37 9TZt: 01472 252300 I f: 01472 268792e: [email protected] I w: www.seafish.org



References1. www.defra.gov.uk/environment/marine/protect/mpa/2. http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/mu60.pdf3. http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/marine/documents/protected/mpa-network-joint-admin-statement-201212.pdf4. www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/N2K-MCZs_the_differences_tcm6-28088.pdf5. http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/120718_MCZAP_MPAs%20in%20the%20UK%20V9%20120712.pdf 6. http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-52017. OSPAR 2006, Guidance on developing an ecologically coherent network of OSPAR marine protected areas.8. www.defra.gov.uk/consult/files/mcz-condoc-121213.pdf and www.defra.gov.uk/environment/marine/protect/mpa/9. http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/consultation/120419marinesiteen.pdf and http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/consmanagement/marinefisheries/conservation/protected/conservationzones/nextsteps/;jsessionid=69EF59877C0063561F90FE52214319E2?lang=en10. www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0041/00410766.pdf and www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/marine-environment/mpanetwork11. www.doeni.gov.uk/index/protect_the_environment/natural_environment/marine_and_coast/marine_policy/northern_ireland_marine_bill.htm12. http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/120718_MCZAP_MCZ%20Project%20Factsheet%20110712.pdf

About SeafishSeafish was founded in 1981 by an Act of Parliament and aims to support all sectors of the seafood industry for a sustainable, profitable future. It is the only pan-industry body offering services to all parts of the industry, from the start of the supply chain at catching and aquaculture; through processing, importers, exporters and distributors of seafood right through to restaurants and retailers.

Conservation GroupsJoint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/

Scottish Natural Heritage www.snh.org.uk

The Countryside Council for Wales www.ccw.gov.uk

The Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside www.cnccni.gov.uk

Natural England www.naturalengland.org.uk

UK Marine Protected Areas Centre www.ukmpas.org/

Marine Protected Areas of the United States www.mpa.gov/

Marine Conservation Society (MCS) www.mcsuk.org

WWF UK www.wwf.org.uk/

Other Seafish guides There are a number of other Seafish Guides in this series, covering different aspects of responsible fisheries and sustainability. For more details and the most up to date information consult our website at http://www.seafish.co.uk/media/sustainability

There is also a series of responsible sourcing guides outlining the individual stock status of the 38 main species of fish consumed in the UK (about 300 stocks).

Documents

Guide to UK Marine Protected Areas