Posted: Friday 14th December 2012 by Joan
Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds in Norfolk - one of the 96 recommended Marine Conservation Zones not due to receive protection in 2013. Cromer Shoal Chalk Bed is a unique site and possibly the largest chalk reef in Europe (credit Rob Spray)
We waited an extra year and the government spent another £5.5 million on a project that had already cost £8.8 million. So what do we get?
A government consultation published yesterday came with a promise of up to 31 of the 127 marine conservation zones that were recommended by a science advisory panel of eminent marine scientists as being necessary to ensure an ecologically coherent network of MCZs designated next year.
We need to ensure that the remaining sites, halted from designation by Government to gather further evidence, are not forgotten.
At a time of real cuts to DEFRA and the statutory conservation advisory bodies this complete lack of ambition shown by the government could be seen by some as also a very bad use of public money.
What makes me even angrier is that the data collected this summer by NE, CEFAS and others has not even been considered. The recommendation for the 31 sites is solely based on the advice of the statutory nature conservation bodies and the work of the stakeholder-led Regional Projects. So you wonder why the first tranche of these sites could not have been designated this summer, as was the original plan.
It is clearly disappointing that the hard work and effort of the last few years has resulted in so few of the originally recommended sites going forward next year. It is now up to us to ensure that all 31 are designated next year and we don’t lose any more sites.
We also need to continue to put pressure on Government to ensure that these 31 sites are only the start.
We need to ensure that the remaining sites, halted from designation by Government to gather further evidence, are not forgotten. We must remind the Government why we thought they were important enough for designation in the first place. Sites like Cromer Shoal Chalk Reef or Studland Bay.
We will be responding to this consultation in detail and will be creating pages with more information to help you have your say.
In the meantime though, head to our interactive map to learn more about the sites and show your support by becoming a Friend of individual sites. We will then email you with more information and pointers for responding to the consultation.