21 Apr 2015

Natural England – Published marine conservation advice for marine protected areas, 30 March 2015 Information includes: Conservation advice: Natural England’s responsibility Natural England’s MPA conservation advice project Timetable of advice production Timetable changes Contact Natural England https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conservation-advice-for-marine-protected-areas-project-background/marine-conservation-advice-project-summary  

10 Feb 2015

Bob Earll     This article starts with the joke of Japan’s ‘scientific whaling’ and then picks up on the very current issue of electric pulse fisheries and UK’s rush to join the Dutch fleet. We are increasingly familiar with the debate about policy based evidence or evidence based policy. This takes it to the next level […]

03 Feb 2015

Defra ‘Defra has published a consultation on the second tranche of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). We are proposing 23 new Marine Conservation Zones in English inshore and offshore waters. You can find further information about responding to the consultation in this letter. You can find the consultation document and supporting information including details of individual sites […]

18 Jan 2015

This paper looks at the detailed relationship between trawling, fish and invertebrate populations in the Irish Sea ‘The effects of bottom trawling on benthic invertebrates include reductions of biomass, diversity and body size. These changes may negatively affect prey availability for demersal fishes, potentially leading to reduced food intake, body condition and yield of fishes […]

06 Jan 2015

This book by Caveen, Polunin, Gray and Stead presents a critical analysis of MPAs in relation to marine resource management. It would be fair to say that these authors also represent the skeptical side of the scientific argument re MPAs. This book will stoke the debate about the objectives of MPAs. Plenty of material here […]

10 Dec 2014

For MPAs the proof of the pudding is in the management – are Scotland’s proposals just ‘paper parks’ or have they, ‘put the P into protection’ – you judge. ‘Views are being sought on proposed measures to protect some of Scotland’s most important and fragile marine environments. A 12 week public consultation has been launched […]

10 Dec 2014

Angling and conservation groups are gearing up for a parliamentary debate (Dec 3rd) on the management of sea bass stocks ahead of a crucial meeting of the EU Fisheries Council in Brussels. The debate has been called by Conservative MP George Hollingbery, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Angling, following the outcry over […]