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Marine conservation zones

In addition to the European marine sites, the Government intends to designate an ecologically coherent network of national marine conservation zones (MCZs) by 2012, using authority derived from the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.

Regional project groups

MCZs will be established as a result of extensive consultation with interested parties, lead by four English regional project groups:

These groups will take account of the views of a wide range of local statutory and non-statutory interest groups. The process of selecting and creating MCZs will take account of a combination of scientific advice and socio-economic factors.

The MCZ project groups have created an interactive map in order for people who have an interest in the marine environment and who live and work in and around the sea to input information on their activities at www.mczmapping.org

Our role

We are responsible for enforcing the general offence of damaging a marine conservation zone (MCZ) and measures that the MMO are responsible for enforcing.

We have no role in final decisions regarding the MCZ site selection process that will be put forward to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). We act as an advisor to the regional projects and stakeholder groups.

Lundy Marine Conservation Zone

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 made provision for the marine nature reserve around Lundy Island, in the Bristol Channel, to become the first marine conservation zone automatically on 12 January 2010.

We are responsible for enforcing the nature conservation byelaws that currently protect the site. These were originally made by the Nature Conservancy Council (a forerunner to Natural England). The fisheries byelaws that are in place remain the responsibility of Devon Sea Fisheries Committee. Additional protection measures may be triggered once conservation objectives have been agreed for the site.

It is at this time that we will review the nature conservation byelaws and consider making any amendments. Our representatives visited Lundy Island in March 2010 to discuss current management arrangements and future working arrangements with Natural England, the Lundy Island manager and wardens and Devon Sea Fisheries Committee.

Further information is contained in the letter that has been sent to relevant stakeholders.

Further information

MMO management measures for marine conservation zones (MCZs): Questions and answers (PDF 107 KB)

Marine conservation zones: The MMO's roles and responsibilities (PDF 159 KB)

Marine conservation zones (Defra)

EU nature and biodiversity

Special areas of conservation in the UK

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