19 March 2014
The MPA Fishing Coalition has flagged up its concerns about the sequence of designating marine conservation zones and then implementing management measures within them.
MPAC
Chairman, Dr Stephen Lockwood said, “All the best-practice models available
suggest that in order to obtain protection for vulnerable features, whilst at
the same time minimising the conflict of MCZs with fishing businesses and
communities, it is necessary for regulators to engage closely with fishermen at
site level. It is in these vital discussions that adjustments and adaptations
can be found to achieve conservation objectives without displacing fishermen
from their customary fishing grounds.
“A
consensus approach offers the best way of securing fishermen’s support and
involvement in securing conservation goals. Following our recent meeting with
Defra when we discussed the timetable for designating MCZs in English waters,
our fear is that when push comes to shove, this vital engagement will be lost
in a rushed process.”
“We welcome
the Government’s commitment to a rational, evidence-based and phased approach,
to designation of marine sites. This is the only way we can be assured that the
features and site boundaries are in the right locations.
“But once
designations are made, experience suggests that there will be intense pressures
from some quarters to implement management measures straight away and the
local-level discussions will be pushed aside. The experience of the European
marine sites is fresh in our minds. The threat of legal challenged by one NGO
was enough to press the fast-forward button. It is far from inconceivable that
once formal designation of all three tranches of MCZs in English waters is
made, these kinds of pressures will re-emerge. In addition to a vocal NGO
community, geared up to push for immediate implementation measures, there are a
number of international obligations like OSPAR and EU legislative requirements
that will set up irresistible pressures on the ministers of the day.”
“All this
if fine if all you want is a tick-box exercise so that you can move on to the
next environmental target and claim the credit. But if you want a lasting,
equitable and effective outcome, time for discussion is required.
“It is our
belief and contention that formal designation should be withheld until after decisions have been reached on
suitable management measures for each site. And those decisions should only
take place after proper meaningful talks with the fishermen who will
potentially be affected. Calm discussions will deliver the best outcomes but
our fear is that the designation process is set up in a way that will exactly
preclude this.”
Dr Lockwood
said that MPAC has also identified two other areas of concern in its
discussions with Defra. At present there does not appear to be a clear
coordination of site designations across devolved administrations or with
bordering states. A lack of adequate, and transparent, coordination could
result in unnecessary duplication of sites necessary to meet statutory and
international obligations. In addition, despite numerous promises to undertake
a review of possible effort displacement from MCZ, no such review has been
produced. MPAC is worried that not only could displacement jeopardise
livelihoods in marginal areas but could exacerbate stock management problems
associated with forthcoming no-discard measures.