MMO Marine Conservation Byelaws

asNeeded

Special areas of conservation (SACs) and special protection areas (SPAs) are collectively known as European marine sites (EMSs). EMSs are designated to protect habitats and species in line with the European Union (EU) Habitats directive and Birds directive. Marine conservation zones (MCZ) are marine protected areas (MPAs) designed to protect nationally important habitats and species designated under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (MaCAA). Alongside EMSs, MCZs contribute to an ecologically coherent network of UK MPAs. MMO can create byelaws: -in order to prevent deterioration of, or mitigate any adverse effect to, an EMS; -in order to best further or least hinder the conservation objectives of an MCZ. This dataset is derived from co-ordinates specified in MMO byelaws, made under sections 129, 131 or 132 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. Existing MMO byelaws are available here: https:&#x2F/www.gov.uk&/guidance&/marine-conservation-byelaws Impact assessments (IAs) are produced for MMO byelaws to outline the costs and benefits of proposed measures. The IA also indicates why the option being recommended is the preferred option for management. Data and evidence to inform an IA will be gathered from several bodies such as Natural England (NE), Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), inshore fisheries and conservation authorities (IFCAs), Defra, MMO and industry. The specific location and extent of site features are provided by NE and or JNCC, depending on exact location of a site. In addition formal conservation advice will be provided. Further information found here: https:&#x2F/www.gov.uk&/guidance&/conservation-advice-for-marine-protected-areas-how-to-use-site-advice-packages or on Natural Englands and JNCCs websites. Buffers: Management measures include relevant buffer areas to account for the lateral distance between a fishing vessel and its gear, indirect impacts including smothering, and enforcement considerations.