Sites for second tranche of MCZs now being considered by Defra 

37 sites are being considered for inclusion in the second tranche.

At a meeting yesterday (24 February) Defra announced the sites which are under consideration for the second tranche (T2) of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs) in England.  

37 sites are being considered for inclusion in T2 which cover both inshore and offshore sites right around the English coast.  

Alana Murphy, Planning and Environmental Officer who was present at the meeting said “This list is just an early indication of those sites that might be in the public consultation for the second tranche due to take place early next year, with designation planned to take place by the end of 2015”.  

Defra is currently gathering further evidence on the proposed sites and during the year will consult with the different sectors, including the recreational boating sector, on management measures.

Defra plans to include an indication of what the management measures could be and what activities could be restricted in the public consultation.  

“We are pleased that Defra is applying the lessons learned from the first tranche of MCZs and including the management measures in the consultation.  

“However, several of the inshore sites included on this list may be of concern to the RYA, depending on the proposed management measures.  We will now be working with RYA members and clubs to review all the evidence we originally submitted in 2012 and will discuss these concerns with Defra,” concludes Alana.  

The first tranche (T1) of 27 MCZs were designated in November 2013 and consideration of management measures for these zones is currently underway.  

Read more information on MCZs and the RYA’s position.

Sites under consideration for the second tranche of MCZs

1. Coquet to St Mary’s
2. Farnes East
3. Fulmar
4. Runswick Bay
5. Compass Rose
6. Holderness Inshore
7. Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds
8. The Swale Estuary
9. Dover to Deal
10. Dover to Folkestone
11. Offshore Brighton
12. Offshore Overfalls
13. Utopia
14. Bembridge
15. Norris to Ryde
16. Yarmouth to Cowes
17. The Needles
18. Studland Bay
19. Western Channel
20. Mounts Bay
21. Lands End
22. North-West of Jones Bank
23. Great Haig Fras
24. Newquay and The Gannel
25. Hartland Point to Tintagel
26. Bideford to Foreland Point
27. North of Lundy
28. South of Celtic Deep
29. Celtic Deep
30. East of Celtic Deep
31. Mid St George’s Channel
32. North St George's Channel
33. Slieve Na Griddle
34. South Rigg
35. West of Walney
36. Mud Hole
37. Allonby Bay

 Images: Jewel Anemone credit Natural England & Paul Kay. Map Crown Copyright supplied by Defra.