Wildfowling, reference areas and marine conservation zones

25 January 2012

Reference areas, where all human activity will be banned, are being proposed as part of a suite of new marine conservation zones in English waters. Most of the reference areas are offshore but a small number have been proposed for saltmarsh and mudflats owned or leased by wildfowling clubs.  BASC is working to ensure that wildfowling is not affected by any such proposals.

What’s its all about?

Four projects have been set up to design a network of Marine Conservation Zones in English waters where the conservation needs of certain habitats and species have been identified as in need of extra protection to that already in place. These projects, with web-links, are listed below:

Net Gain from the Scottish border to Suffolk

Balanced Seas in the South East and South

Finding Sanctuary in the South West 
 
Irish Sea Conservation Zones from the Bristol Channel to the Solway

What is BASC doing?

When a reference area was proposed for an area managed by a wildfowling club BASC attended public meetings to directly express the concerns of club members to the project staff, Natural England and the local MP. The proposals will go to public consultation later this year and Defra minister Richard Benyon will make the final decision.

As more reference areas come to light BASC will work to ensure that wildfowling interests will be protected.

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