The Marine and Coastal Access Bill received Royal Assent on Thursday 12 November 2009 giving the Finding Sanctuary project a green light to progress its work with local sea users to plan new Marine Conservation Zones across the south-west.
Tom Hooper, Finding Sanctuary’s Project Manager said: “The Marine and Coastal Access Act offers the most important opportunity for marine protection there has ever been, because it paves the way for the designation of new Marine Conservation Zones to protect marine wildlife and habitats. Our challenge in the south-west is to make sure these are protected whilst ensuring people’s livelihoods and leisure activities are also sustained.”
Finding Sanctuary was set up to work with fishermen, sea anglers, conservationists and other sea users across the south-west to identify these new Marine Conservation Zones and recommend them to Government.
Tom continued: “We believe that the people and groups that could be affected by Marine Conservation Zones should be involved in deciding where they are located and how they are managed. We have therefore brought together a balanced and representative Steering Group of stakeholder interests to plan Marine Conservation Zones for the south-west. This will ensure that decisions are made collaboratively and will encourage stronger local support.”
The Finding Sanctuary Steering Group will make its Marine Conservation Zones recommendations to Government in June 2011.
Tom continued: “At Finding Sanctuary we are working on behalf of everyone to achieve the best possible outcome, both in terms of conservation and people’s livelihoods and leisure interests. However, we can only achieve this if sea users get involved in planning Marine Conservation Zones. You can do this by coming to a Finding Sanctuary drop in day, using our Interactive Map on our website www.finding-sanctuary.org , or by getting in touch with us directly.”
The next Finding Sanctuary drop in days will be held at:
Exmouth, 18 November, 10am – 8pm Elizabeth Hall, Exmouth Seafront, Exmouth, EX8 2BA
Ilfracombe, 26 November 10am – 8pm Ilfracombe Yacht Club, The Quay, Ilfracombe, EX34 9EQ
Further drop in days are being planned for Dartmouth, Bude, Weymouth and Plymouth.
For further information contact Joana Smith, Finding Sanctuary, Tel: 01392 878328 / 07968 434108
Email: joana.smith@southwestfoodanddrink.com
