The need for greater protection
We have around 372 MPAs in UK waters , covering 38 % of our territorial waters , but actual protection of marine species and habitats within these is highly variable . Surprisingly , fishing is allowed in most of the country ’ s MPAs and just 5 % fully exclude all forms of bottom towed fishing gear . Given the destructive nature of this activity , it could be said that only 5 % of MPAs in the UK are in fact protected . Indeed , not one offshore MPA ( outside the 12 nautical mile limit ) are protected from fishing of any kind . A recent study revealed that bottom trawling and dredging occurs in 98 % of offshore MPAs around the UK . Protection within inshore waters ( within the 12 nautical mile limit ) is a little better , likely due to an eased ability to regulate and monitor activity .
Last year , the Benyon Review recommended the designation of Highly
“ We don ’ t need any more reviews – we now need urgent action .”
Protected Marine Areas ( HPMAs ). The independent review , led by Richard Benyon MP , considered an evidence-based process and selection criteria to identify potential sites for HMPAs . These protected areas will be granted the ‘ whole-site ’ protection , prohibiting extractive and damaging activity taking place within the boundaries of the HPMAs , allowing nature an opportunity to recover properly . Such areas have been repeatedly proven to offer a ‘ gold standard ’ of protection to marine environments .
The Marine Conservation Society reports : “ We have a network of 355 Marine Protected Areas in the UK , and whilst these lay the groundwork for better protections in the future , they don ’ t offer a full defence against all fishing and damaging activities . To get to this point we need Highly Protected Marine Areas .”
The Government ’ s 25 Year Environment Plan , and the Benyon Review both also mention the ‘ whole-site approach ’ to managing MPAs , whereby all damaging
activity is prohibited from within MPA boundaries . Westminster Government is calling for 30 % of the world ’ s ocean to be protected in MPAs by 2030 , with 10 % fully protected , but before we start designating additional HPMAs , experts are calling for more restrictive measures to be adopted throughout our existing 372 MPAs . Applying the recommendations of the Benyon review in existing MPAs will avoid the lengthy consultation process to identify and designate new sites . Designation is not enough , we need HPMAs with full protection to support the recovery of our marine ecosystems .
The Marine Conservation Society ’ s Principle Specialist in Marine Protected Areas , Dr Jean-Luc Solandt says : “ The word ‘ urgency ’ is crucial here . While I welcome the recommendations of the report , the Government must now act fast to implement them and be ambitious in its approach . We don ’ t need any more reviews – we now need urgent action .”
Lamlash Bay on Arran takes a ‘ whole site ’ approach to protection
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