Marine Conservation Zones

[trapezeartist]

The Marine Conservation Society (whoever they are) is orchestrating an e-mail campaign to pressure the government on the subject of establishing 127 MCZs around our coastline. While I would guess that all boaters are in favour of protecting our coasts, we don't know what the restrictions will be, although there is a suspicion that it will be aimed at putting restrictions on boating activities in some (or even many) cases.

If you want to have a say on the subject, you can use the Marine Conservation Society's campaign, even if you don't want to say what they want you to say. Go to http://www.mcsuk.org/mpa/england/write-to-mp. Then after filling in a couple of boxes you will come to a letter to be sent to your MP. You can edit this in any way you like before sending it. I found that I needed to re-write it almost completely, but it didn't take long and it certainly enabled me to quickly direct my own views towards the government. If a lot of boaters do this, it might help to give the campaign more balance.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Err, this has been a thorny subject since 2008, the sticky thread at the top of the page doesnt just affect Studland. Also take a look at this site:

http://boatownersresponse.org.uk/

Incidentally 'The Marine Conservation Society' are as you say "Whoever they are". Any vote on their site will be classified as support for them.

There has been huge work done by Old Harry of this parish plus others, you need to do some catch up.

 

[V1701]

Snip...
Then after filling in a couple of boxes you will come to a letter to be sent to your MP. You can edit this in any way you like before sending it. I found that I needed to re-write it almost completely, but it didn't take long and it certainly enabled me to quickly direct my own views towards the government...

Sorry but do you honestly think that your letter is ever going to be read by anyone, let alone anyone who might have any influence on such matters?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Sorry but do you honestly think that your letter is ever going to be read by anyone, let alone anyone who might have any influence on such matters?

Every time I have written to my MPs (both of whom, over the years, have been ministers, one a senior Minister), I have had a good and thoughtful response. In one case, weight of opinion was such that the government changed tack. The responses weren't always what I wanted to hear, but they showed some thought and an appreciation that there might be a variety of opinion on the matter in hand. And when it was a personal matter that definitely need him to do something, he (or his staff) did a lot.

I think the crucial thing is for your letter to show evidence of originality; I suspect that form letters copied from a web-page are likely to get a form response! But one that contains a reasoned argument showing personal understanding will probably get a reasoned response.

 

[trapezeartist]

I think the crucial thing is for your letter to show evidence of originality; I suspect that form letters copied from a web-page are likely to get a form response! But one that contains a reasoned argument showing personal understanding will probably get a reasoned response.

This is where we can score. Although the MCS website presents a standard form letter, you have the opportunity to change it. You can completely reverse the sense of it if you want. (You certainly might want to do that, if you don't want 127 Marine Conservation Zones with undetermined restrictions.)

 

[Seajet]

Scroll up just a touch and read Galadriels' post & link.

I am not a BORG member now but this work of theirs is worth pointing out, ie spot on !

 

[trapezeartist]

I'm not trying to tread on BORG's toes. They're doing a great job, but the more directions we approach this from, the better.

I got a reply from my MP within 24 hours.

 

[Al Dickson]

Seems to be working in Lamlash - plenty Lobsters around the fringes this year !

 

[Searush]

Just sent mine to my MP. I usually get a response that indicates that someone has read it, if only his secretary. The Govt already seems unhappy about the spend (according to NE's own draft letter) so it should not be too difficult to encourage some MP's to vote against this.

 

[Boathook]

Just sent mine to my MP. I usually get a response that indicates that someone has read it, if only his secretary. The Govt already seems unhappy about the spend (according to NE's own draft letter) so it should not be too difficult to encourage some MP's to vote against this.

I forwarded the letter on to my MP who normally replies. I did point out that it would cost money and as a tax payer I would not be happy.