The UK Government created 41 new marine conservation zones (MCZs) one week ahead of World Oceans Day. The new zones will be added to the existent ones, reaching the overall 91 zones, and covering roughly 32,000 square kilometres.
The new marine conservation zones, bring the UK to the top of Oceana’s leaderboard concerning marine protection in Europe, as the 40% of its waters is now protected.
Pascale Moehrle, executive director for Oceana in Europe noted
We hope that all 91 zones will be properly managed, and no bottom-trawl fishing allowed, which harms habitats and marine life.
He continued that Oceana applauds the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the UK Government on the new addition in the marine conservation zones.
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Oceana had warned the UK in the past as in the possibility of a no-deal Brexit scenario, the situation in UK waters would be lawless and out of control, should the UK Fisheries Bill not be passed before the country leaves the EU.
With a no-deal Brexit, fishing could become a free-for-all with nobody to be held accountable. No withdrawal agreement puts UK fish stocks at risk
… Oceana highlighted.
Concluding, Oceana had previously conducted a North Sea expedition that surveyed waters in 5 countries – including the UK – to gather data to strengthen the current network of marine protected areas, a project funded by the Dutch Postcode Lottery.
