The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) welcomes the robust protection measures announced by Defra today to protect the biodiversity-rich reefs of Lyme Bay, Devon. A considerable effort has been made by the Marine Conservation Society, Natural England, Seasearch divers, marine scientists and, particularly, Devon Wildlife Trust to demonstrate that damage is being done to the area - one of the UK's richest marine wildlife sites. The Government has finally taken heed of our advice to close off about 10% of the bay to trawl and scallop fisheries.

The reefs which will be protected are underwater extensions of the rocks which form the Lyme Bay Jurassic Coast - an area that has been recognised as a World Heritage Site. The underwater reefs support marine wildlife including soft corals, sponges and many rare and vulnerable species.

Fishing for scallops using heavy towed metal dredges is an especially destructive form of fishing. In some places the seafloor has been so badly damaged that the reefs which used to stand high above the seabed, are now worn level with the seafloor. The marine wildlife will take many years to recover.

The Lyme Bay case also demonstrates that a more concerted effort is needed to reconcile differences between some fishermen and conservationists, and to better plan a network of Marine Conservation Zones for the whole of the southwest. MCS supports the Finding Sanctuary project, which is tasked by government to present a network of sites by 2012 to government, which will be implemented through the pending marine bill.

Dr Jean-Luc Solandt of the Marine Conservation Society said:

‘In the end, most fishermen and conservationists want the same thing - sustainable fishing which has limited impact on the marine environment. The only way achieve this is to manage areas of sea appropriate to the vulnerability of the habitat, and to leave some areas completely alone to entirely recover from man's impact.'

Contact:

Dr Jean-Luc Solandt, Biodiversity Policy Officer, 07793 118 387; 01989 566 017

Dr Simon Brockington, Head of Conservation 07748 132 445

Richard Harrington, Communications Manager. 01989 566 017

Footnotes:

1 - Scallop dredge fishing is known to be one of the most damaging of fishing activities. It involves dragging heavy toothed dredges along the seabed, which dig into the sediment to scoop up scallops and other marine life. Currently this activity isn't well regulated in the southwest England, other than in a 400km² area near to the Kingsbridge Estuary, where zones exist for the use of different fishing gears. This is known as the South Devon Inshore Potting Agreement. These zones are beneficial to pot fishermen, gill-net fishermen and anglers, and scientific surveys have shown conservation benefits for other biodiversity, as they clearly (and legally) delineate areas for particular use by particular fishing gears. [see - Blyth RE, Kaiser MJ, Edwards-Jones G, and Hart PJB (2002). Voluntary management in an inshore fishery has conservation benefits. Environmental Conservation 29(4): 493-508]

2 - Rare and threatened marine species are killed and damaged by towed fishing gear on a daily basis (collateral damage). Not only are many of these species rare, but their growth rates are also very slow, with scientists suggesting that many biodiverse sponge communities can take between 1 and 2 decades to recover from the result of destructive fishing practices [Kaiser et al (2002). Modifications of marine habitats by trawling activities. Fish and Fisheries 3:114-136].

3 - The Marine Conservation Society is the UK Charity dedicated to the protection of our seas, shores and wildlife. Since its formation in 1983, MCS has become a recognised authority on marine and coastal conservation and is regularly consulted by Government for its views on a range of marine issues. MCS provides information and guidance on many aspects of marine conservation and produces the annual Good Beach Guide, as well as promoting public participation in volunteer projects and surveys such as Adopt-a-Beach, Seasearch and Basking Shark Watch. See www.mcsuk.org for more information.

4 - Parliament is currently scrutinising a marine bill, which includes provision to set up Marine Conservation Zones - MCS is calling for many of these Marine Conservation Zones to provide total protection from all forms of fishing that will allow ecosystems to recover - these areas will be called Highly Protected Marine Reserves. They provide recovery of all life-forms to something approaching natural communities, and in certain circumstances, provide growth and spill-over benefits of commercial fish and shellfish species to areas outside reserves.

5 - The Plymouth Marine Science Institute, in their response to the Lyme Bay closure proposals said: ‘The sensitivity analyses highlight the importance of taking an ecosystem approach to this issue, rather than focussing on the distributions of individual species. The reefal areas in the northern part of Lyme Bay support high diversity communities, which are critical for continued ecosystem processes in the Bay as a whole. These reefs are threatened by ecologically unsustainable, destructive fishing practises, and should be protected by the most effective means possible.'