MARINE MANAGEMENT ORGANISATION
Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c.23)
Consultation on four draft byelaws prohibiting certain fishing gears within South Dorset Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), Dogger Bank Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and in specified areas within The Canyons MCZ and Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge SAC
The purpose of the proposed byelaws is to protect the designated features of the sites.
The proposed byelaw for The Canyons MCZ will protect cold-water coral reefs, coral gardens, sea-pen and burrowing megafauna communities and deep-sea bed from bottom towed fishing gears and anchored nets and lines in specified areas.
The proposed byelaw for Dogger Bank SAC will protect sandbanks from bottom towed fishing gears, including demersal seines and semi-pelagic trawls, throughout the whole of the SAC. The proposed byelaw for Inner Dowsing, Race Bank and North Ridge SAC will protect sandbanks and biogenic reef from bottom towed fishing gears, including demersal seines, in specified areas. It will also protect biogenic reef from static fishing gears in specified areas.
The proposed byelaw for South Dorset MCZ will protect subtidal coarse sediment, circalittoral rock, and subtidal chalk from bottom towed fishing gears throughout the whole of the MCZ.
Copies of the draft byelaws and draft regulatory triage assessments, including maps and coordinates of the areas, and questions to consider, are available on the MMO website (www.gov.uk/mmo), by calling 0300 123 1032 or by emailing conservation@marinemanagement.org.uk.
Copies of the byelaws may also be inspected at any MMO office. Due to the current COVID-19 situation, please contact MMO using the details below if you wish to inspect a copy of the draft byelaws at an MMO office.
Please respond no later than 28 March 2021. You can respond by completing our online survey by visiting: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/mmo/formal-consultation-mmo-mpa-assessments/ . If you are not able to access the survey, you can respond via the details below. Due to the current COVID-19 situation we are asking all stakeholders to use email rather than post if possible.
By email: conservation@marinemanagement.org.uk
By telephone: 0300 123 1032In writing: Marine Conservation Team, Marine Management Organisation, Lancaster House, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7YHH
