The Solent Protection Society has sent the following letter to Defra concerning the current consultation about Marine Conservation Zones: SPS-April-2015-Defra-MCZ
Category: Conservation
MCZs – Tranche 2
MCZs: Defra consultation on the second tranche. The Solent Protection Society welcomes the Marine Conservation Zone initiative and considers that MCZs will greatly benefit the environs and ecology of the Solent, provided that designation and enforcement are based on sound science and wise management. On Friday 30th January, Defra announced the consultation on the second … Continue reading MCZs – Tranche 2
New Defra Minister
Liz Truss, MP for South West Norfolk, has been appointed Environment Secretary in the re-shuffle. She has a keen interest in flooding and will lead the government's response to last winter's disasters. Responsibility for the MMO, NE, EA and the fishing IFCAs come within her department. She will be ultimately responsible for the designation of … Continue reading New Defra Minister
The new IPCC report.
The new report from the International Panel on Climate Change substantially confirms previous findings. Full details are available here. You can read the summary here.There is no disagreement among the authors about the confidence of the predictions. Only one dissenting author expressed disappointment at the lack of emphasis on mitigation and adaptation. There is no … Continue reading The new IPCC report.
MCZ developments in the Solent
Four Solent MCZ being considered for designation by 2015. On 24th February 2014, Defra announced that four Solent rMCZs are being considered for designation by the end of 2015. Further scientific research and assessment is being carried out. The research will underpin future management measures which will be specific to each MCZ. SPS will be … Continue reading MCZ developments in the Solent
RYA challenges government approach to MCZ evidence
RYA have released a statement that claims government is paying insufficient attention to social and economic factors when considering proposed MCZ designations. In the Solent, the candidate sites for the second tranche of designations would cover much of the northern shoreline of the Isle of Wight, from Bembridge to the Needles
Can we create saltmarsh?
Hannah Mossman's presentation to the SPS Council and invited guests on 3rd March bubbled with enthusiasm for the subject, and clear technical understanding. It was yet another step in the efforts of SPS to understand the issues arising from saltmarsh loss in the Solent. This interest was focussed in a conference that SPS organised in … Continue reading Can we create saltmarsh?
MCZ tranche 2 update
The RYA have published details of a DEFRA announcement of the next tranche of MCZs to be investigated. We agree with RYA that the decision to include the management measures in the consultation process is to be welcomed. Sites at Bembvidge; Norris to Ryde ( Osborne Bay); Yarmouth to Cowes; and the Needles are all … Continue reading MCZ tranche 2 update
Lymington Habitat Creation Lecture
On 20th February 2014 some 40 people gathered in the Lymington Community Centre to hear Colin Scott of ABPmer deliver an appraisal of the progress being made with coastal habitat creation work. He summarised progress and issues in national context (drawing upon feedback from the ABPmer conference held in November 2013 as sponsored by the … Continue reading Lymington Habitat Creation Lecture
Fishing Focus Winter 2013/14
Managing commercial fishing Natural England, JNCC, MMO and IFCA have jointly produced a risk matrix which sets a timetable to introduce management measures to protect SAC's and SPA's By the end of 2013 the MMO and IFCAs had nine byelaws in place protecting sites . They expect to confirm seven more by 31 March 2014 … Continue reading Fishing Focus Winter 2013/14