UK marine protection consultation
The public is being asked to get involved in the consultation process over whether an area of Dorset in the UK should be designated a new marine protected area.
The area, which stretches from Studland to Portland, has been identified by Natural England as having one of the best examples of reef habitat in the UK. The organisation say that it should join the network of protected areas for important or threatened wildlife habitats and species across the EU and become a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
The proposed marine protected area, which will form part of the ‘Natura 2000’ European network of marine protected areas, is over 330sq kms and contains a wide range of diverse, rare reef features.
Natural England has been consulting with the public for 12 weeks in order to put together a scientific case for designation based on its likely economic, environmental and social impacts.
The consultation process ends on 24 November. More information is available from Natural England’s website: www.naturalengland.org.uk
In 2012, Natural England will submit its final site recommendations to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to include the outcome of the consultation.
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