The document discusses the importance and benefits of marine conservation zones (MPAs) in the Solent, emphasizing their role in protecting marine habitats and species. It outlines the evaluation criteria for site selection, stakeholder engagement, and the ecological data supporting these efforts. Concerns regarding socio-economic influences, habitat size adequacy, and the effectiveness of designations are also addressed.

1. The Science of Marine Conservation Zones
Beneath the Waves;
Marine conservation in the Solent
Jolyon Chesworth
Marine Conservation Manager
12th March 2012

2. Outline
• Why we need MPAs
• Benefits of MPAs
• Protected area designations
• Marine Conservation Zones
• Balanced Seas stakeholder process
• Site selection science
• Ecological data
• Management measures

3. Habitats

4. Species

5. Resources and impacts

6. Ovefishing
1900 1999

10. Marine Protected Areas
• Area of sea / seabed designated to protect or conserve habitats and or species
• May be designated for specific habitats and species or full range
• May be multi-use or highly protected
• Statutory
• Voluntary
– SSSI’s – terrestrially focused
– Biodiversity Action Plans
– Ramsar – wetlands of international
– Marine SNCI’s and
importance
conservation areas
– Natura 2000 sites
– Voluntary agreements
– Marine Conservation Zones

12. Benefits of MPAs – inside boundaries
• Heavily fished species show most dramatic increases
• Non-target species can increase is habitat is protected
• Bigger individuals inside MPAs produce more young compared to smaller
individuals outside of MPAs

13. Benefits of MPAs – outside boundaries

15. Case studies - Bradda Inshore Fishing Ground

16. Case studies – Lundy Island

17. Case studies – Lyme Bay

18. Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
• Marine Conservation Zones
• Objectives
– Avoid deterioration
– Enable recovery of habitats and
populations
• National importance out to 200nm
• Improvement of wider sea management

19. Balanced Seas
• Under MCAA 4 regional MCZ projects
• Balanced Seas Project structure
– Regional Stakeholder Group
– Local Groups
– Site Meetings
– Science Advisory Panel

20. Site selection
• Ecological Network Guidance
• 7 principals:
– Representativity
– Replication
– Adequacy
– Viability
– Connectivity
– Best Available Evidence
– Protection
• Reference Areas

21. Habitats and Species
• 21 Broad Scale Habitats
• 22 Habitat FOCI
• 29 Species FOCI
Stalked jellyfish Haliclystus auricula
Fragile sponge and anthozoans Sea-pens and burrowing megafauna

22. Ecological data

25. Seabed habitat maps

27. Wildlife Trust site submissions

28. Key inshore sites

29. Where are we now - Final Recommendations
• 30 rMCZs
• 25 Reference Areas

30. Key Inshore Biodiversity Areas with rMCZs

32. Progress towards selection criteria

35. Vulnerability Assessment and Conservation objectives
• Maintain – means that in general current levels of activity are considered acceptable, but they will be
monitored and restrictions may have to be introduced if necessary.
• Recover – means that restrictions on certain activities may be necessary to allow the feature to recover
to favourable condition. It does not necessarily mean that an activity will be prohibited, as other
mitigation measures might be appropriate.

36. Concerns
• Influence of socio-economics
– Many sites below minimum size
– Some important sites lost
• Activity data often poor
– Leads to business as usual and
little conservation gain
• Will they all be designated?
• Will they make any difference?

37. Petition Fish

38. Questions?