CCW welcomes the Welsh Government’s consultation on options for highly protected Marine Conservation Zones

THE Countryside Council for Wales today (Thursday 19 April 2012) welcomes Welsh Government Environment Minister, John Griffiths’s announcement that the first consultation exercise for selecting highly protected Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) is underway.

Photo by ©Jon Moore

Photo by ©Rohan Holt

Ten sites are up for consideration – though no more than three to four will be designated by the Welsh Government by 2014.

CCW and other members of the project’s Technical Advisory Group advised the Welsh Government on the selection of potential sites – the intention is to establish sites which maximise ecological and other benefits whilst minimising the impact on human activity. The potential sites have been identified because they support a wide variety of habitats and associated wildlife. The MCZs will provide a boost to marine biodiversity and productivity and will support the wider environment.

Dr David Parker, CCW Chief Scientist said: “Evidence suggests that highly protected sites have a key role to play in terms of supporting the recovery of ecosystems and their ability to adapt to pressure and change. They will also improve our understanding of the marine environment.

“It’s vital that our seas are healthy and managed in a sustainable way so that we can continue to enjoy and benefit from their goods and services for many generations to come. Highly protected MCZs have a role to play in achieving this.”

The zones will be given a high level of protection from activities that could change, damage or disturb what is naturally found there. In practical terms, this means that nothing will be extracted from or deposited into highly protected MCZs.

The 10 potential sites, including their indicative areas in brackets, are:

• Puffin Island/Ynys Seiriol - chosen because of its variety of habitats on the shores and underwater. For example, the underwater kelp forests are rich in communities of animals such as sponges and anemones (2km²).
• North East Menai Strait/Gogledd Ddwyrain Y Fenai - chosen for its variety of habitats on the shores and underwater. The underwater habitats are influenced by strong tidal flows (4.1km²).
• North Lleyn Peninsula/ Gogledd Pen Llŷn - chosen for its variety of habitats on the shores and underwater. Both rock and sediment habitats are represented, including underwater habitats such as a reef formed by large horse mussels which, in turn, provides an important habitat for many other species (26.8km²).
• Bardsey Island/Ynys Enlli - chosen for its variety of habitats on the shores and underwater. The shores around Bardsey are full of contrasts - steep cliffs to the north and shallow sloping platforms to the south. Underwater, there are vibrant wildlife communities of kelp, soft corals, sea firs, anemones and sponges. (10.5km²).
• St Tudwal's Island East and Llanbedrog / Ynys Ddwyreiniol Tudwal a Llanbedrog - chosen for its variety of habitats on the shores and underwater. Many areas, both underwater and on the shore, consist of mixed gravelly sediments which harbour a wealth of different species (28.2km²).
• Mouth of the Dwyfor/ Aber Afon Dwyfor - chosen for its variety of habitats on the shores and underwater. This site is fairly sheltered from wave action. On the shore, habitats such as honeycomb worm reefs, formed by worms that cement sand together to form large honeycomb-like structures, contrast with mixed and sandy sediments underwater (6.0km²).
• New Quay offshore/ Ceinewydd (môr) - chosen for its range of sediment habitats with some cobbly patches. This is the only site proposed which is entirely subtidal (does not include the coast) (5.3km²).
• South West of Strumble Head/ I’r De Orllewin o Ben Caer - chosen for its numerous different habitats in an area where few other sites were chosen. The site is mainly rocky and quite exposed to wave action, although small bays and inlets provide some shelter. Underwater, rocky reefs support a rich mix of sponge species (4.1km²).
• Skomer/Sgomer – chosen for its variety of habitats on the shores and underwater, the site includes much of Skomer Marine Nature Reserve. Its rocky shores and shallow waters are exposed to wave action, but there are more sheltered areas as well, such as the seagrass bed at North Haven. Many species have been recorded in these waters, including 240 species of seaweed, 100 species of sponge and 72 species of sea slugs (10.5km²).
• Dale /Dale - chosen mainly for the intertidal mixed sediment and subtidal muddy habitats, along with a variety of other habitats. The muddy gravels on the shore support a wide range of species of worms and cockles (2.9 km²).

The site boundaries given are only indicative – and may change in the light of the consultation.

Anyone with an interest is encouraged to participate in the Welsh Government’s consultation process and contribute to the final site selection - www.wales.gov.uk/marine

Dr Parker added: “The health of our seas is of huge importance to Wales - there are already areas designated to protected important marine species and habitats. Adding this small number of highly protected sites will mean that Wales is well on the way to fulfilling its commitment to establish a range of Marine Protected Areas that are part of the wider network.”

Ends.

For more information contact CCW Press Office; Helen Evans on 01248 387377 / 07717225589 or Brân Devey on 02920 772 403 / 07747767443.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Countryside Council for Wales is a Welsh Government Sponsored Body, working for a better Wales where everyone values and cares for our natural environment www.ccw.gov.uk.