MCZs delayed

17 November 2011

The government is creating a network of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in British seas as part of its commitment to fully implementing the provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Act. However, the process is experiencing delays due to gaps in scientific data. Defra will be commissioning hefty additional work to support MCZ designation, including an in-depth review of the evidence base for all the site recommendations and committing extra resources to implement seabed and habitat monitoring. Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee will provide the MCZ impact assessment and their formal advice in July 2012, six months later than planned.

More information on FIS: http://fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?l=e&ndb=1&id=47701