Public Notice: Marine Management Organisation
20th January 2023
Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c.23)
Consultation on a draft byelaw prohibiting bottom towed fishing gear within specified areas of Cape Bank Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ); East of Haig Fras MCZ; Farnes East MCZ; Foreland MCZ; Goodwin Sands MCZ; Haig Fras Special Area of Conservation (SAC); Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton SAC; Hartland Point to Tintagel MCZ; Lands End and Cape Bank SAC, North Norfolk Sandbanks and Saturn Reef SAC; Offshore Brighton MCZ; South of Celtic Deep MCZ; and Wight-Barfleur Reef SAC.
The purpose of the proposed byelaw is to conserve the designated features of the sites.
The proposed byelaw prohibits the use of bottom towed fishing gear within specified areas of 13 marine protected areas to protect Annex I reef, circalittoral rock, fragile sponge and anthozoan communities on subtidal rocky habitats, and pink sea-fan (Eunicella verrucosa). The proposed byelaw requires that vessels present within the specified areas must have all bottom towed fi shing gear inboard, lashed and stowed.
The proposed byelaw amends the following byelaws; “The Start Point to Plymouth Sound and Eddystone European Marine Site (Specified Areas) Bottom Towed Fishing Gear Byelaw”, “The Margate and Long Sands European Marine Site (Specified Areas) Bottom Towed Fishing Gear Byelaw 2017” and “The West of Walney Marine Conservation Zone (Specified Area) Bottom Towed Fishing Gear Byelaw 2018” adding a requirement that vessels present within the specified areas of the marine protected areas must have all bottom towed fishing gear inboard, lashed and stowed.
The proposed byelaw amends the specified area of the “The Lands End and Cape Bank European Marine Site (Specified Area) Bottom Towed Fishing Gear Byelaw”.
The proposed byelaw revokes the “Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton European Marine Site (Specified Areas) Bottom Towed Fishing Gear Byelaw”.
Copies of the draft byelaw and draft impact assessment, 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 byelaw may also be inspected at any MMO offi ce. Please contact MMO using the details below if you wish to inspect a copy of the draft byelaw at an MMO office.
Please respond no later than 28 March 2023. You can respond by completing our online survey by visiting: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/mmo/stage-2-formal-consultation/ If you are not able to access the survey, you can respond via the details below.
We are asking all stakeholders to use email rather than post if possible.
By email: conservation@marinemanagement.org.uk
By telephone: 0300 123 1032
In writing: Marine Conservation Team, Marine Management Organisation, Lancaster House, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7YH.
