The UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill has received Royal Assent, which means a green light for Marine Conservation Zones.
In the south-east, Marine Conservation Zones will be identified and recommended with the full input of all sea users, through the Balanced Seas project.
Marine Conservation Zones will protect nationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology and geomorphology.
Balanced Seas waters are home to a host of important wildlife and habitats from unique underwater chalk cliff communities, to productive sand banks. The challenge is to protect these and balance important economic and recreational activities.
The Balanced Seas project is hosted by the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), at the University of Kent.
The Balanced Seas project team is organising meetings during the last week of November in Hampshire, Sussex, Essex, Kent and the Isle of Wight to discuss how sea users can best become involved. Everyone has a voice and working with all those with an interest in the project area is essential for success.
Sue Wells, Balanced Seas Project Manager says, “This is an exciting opportunity to enhance and protect the marine environment in the south-east. The Balanced Seas project team will set up, and support, a Regional Stakeholder Group. The group will be responsible for identifying and recommending the Marine Conservation Zones in order to protect marine wildlife and landscapes in the south-east.”
If you would like to attend a county meeting please email balancedseas@kent.ac.uk and put your county in the subject line or call the team on +44 (0)1227 827839.
