Public notice: Marine Management Organisation
27th April 2022
Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
Four 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 will come into force on June 13 2022
Formal consultation happened between 1 February and 28 March 2021 on proposed management measures to manage fishing within four MPAs in the English offshore region. The byelaws have now been made by the MMO and confirmed by the Secretary of State.
The purpose of the byelaws is to protect the designated features of the sites.
The byelaw for The Canyons MCZ will protect cold-water coral reefs, coral gardens, sea-pen and burrowing megafauna communities and deep-seabed from bottom towed fishing gears and anchored nets and lines in specified areas.
The 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 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 byelaw for South Dorset MCZ will protect, circalittoral rock and subtidal chalk from bottom towed fishing gears throughout the whole of the MCZ.
Copies of the bylaws and associated documents, including maps and coordinates of the areas are available on www.gov.uk/guidance/marine-conservation-byelaws, by calling 0300 123 1032 or by emailing conservation@marinemanagement.org.uk.
Copies of the bylaws may also be inspected at any MMO office. Due to the on-going COVID-19 situation, please contact MMO using the details below if you wish to inspect a copy of the bylaws at an MMO office: Email: conservation@marinemanagement.org.uk Telephone: 0300 123 1032
In writing: Marine Conservation Team, Marine Management Organisation, Lancaster House, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7YH
This public notice was taken from the latest issue of Fishing News. Never miss an issue and subscribe to Fishing News here. Find other public notices here.
