Tuesday 6 May 2008

Coastal Zone Managment (MPA's)

Marine Protected Areas

OSPARS System of MPA’s http://www.ngo.grida.no/wwfneap/Projects/MPAmap.htm

A robust tool for the protection of the marine environment is the Marine Protected Area, or the MPA.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (INCN) has defined this as;
“Any area of inter-tidal or sub-tidal terrain, together with it’s overlying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by law [De Jure] or other means [De Facto] to protect part or all of the enclosed environment”.
Resolution 17.38 of the 17th General Assembly of the INCN, 1988

Through this, six categories of protected zones are defined.

Go here. http://www.mcsuk.org/downloads/policy/marine_bill/WCL_Marine_Protected_Areas_26Aug05_Final.pdf

Marine Nature Reserves (MNR) are designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. There main purpose is to conserve marine flora and or fauna, geological and physical features of special interest. Within these zones activties like fishing can still take place, but are regulated by Sea Fisheries Committees.

More here.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/fish/sea/others/sfc.htm

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) are established for the protection of specific habitats and species of European importance under the Habitats Directive. Similarly, Special Protected Areas (SPA) were established for the sites of migratory birds including maritime birds.
They are referred as European Marine Sites (EMS).

More here.
http://www.ukmarinesac.org.uk/publications.htm
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-4215

Highly Protected Marine Reserves (HPMR) can be defined as, areas in which all extractive activities are prohibited. Sometimes referred to as “No Take zones”, all activities consisting of the removal of living, and non-living resources for the said site is forbidden.

More here.
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1572
&
Go here.

http://www.marinereservesnow.org.uk/

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (sometimes said as, “Triple S I’s”), are typically terrestrial zones. However, this does incorporate coastal zones such as cliffs and sand dunes systems extending to the low-water mark. An SSSI is an area that has been notified as being of special interest and is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas (VMCA) are areas where local communities and area users develop codes of practice for the zone.
Go here.
http://www.helfordvmca.co.uk/
http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/index.php?section=home
http://www.sevensisters.org.uk/rte.asp?id=42

Marine National Parks (MNP) are an evolvement from the terrestrial National Park similar to Pembrokeshire in Wales. Plans are under way to develop a MNP in Scotland (http://www.wwf.org.uk/news/scotland/n_0000002113.asp)

More here.
http://www.snh.org.uk/strategy/CMNP/sr-adnp01.asp
http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/

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