MCZs for designation this year - BORG

[oldharry]

A list of the MCZs put forward by DEFRA for designation this year, and likely to affect boating activities is now up on the BORG website: direct downloadable link link to the list here as it is too long to post:

http://boatownersresponse.org.uk/BORG list of MCZs.pdf

This is a simple summary of the areas in question, and it is indexed back to the main DEFRA report to allow you to locate the area and report in the lengthy list. Note that the 'impact' assessment is my opinion based on many hundreds of hours in meetings and studying the reports, and carries no official weight. DEFRA and MMO HAVE NOT YET DECIDED HOW THESE AREAS WILL BE MANAGED, OR WHAT RESTRICTIONS MAY BE PUT IN PLACE TO PROTECT THEM. That will only be done once they have become MCZs.

For example, The Tamar proposal: Duchy of Cornwall has already raised the issue of moorings and anchoring in the proposed area: this is why people there need to get involved and have their say before it becomes law as have the Studlanders - whatever 'it' proves to be!

I am still working on the list of areas that have been held back, which includes Studland and Osborne Bay, and Newtown River.

We are also working on leaflet which should help anyone wanting to take part in the DEFRA Public Discussion: DEFRA have not made this too easy, and have produced a detailed questionnaire for participants. The BORG leaflet is intended to help you to unravel the procedure and to source the detailed information they ask to be included.

 

[Scillypete]

Thanks for that, quite some read, I for one would not put it past them to establish some restrictions in the future in our area, and as for consultation with interested parties there has been none advertised so its likely that only a small clique were invited.

 

[Ripster]

Thanks for the information. We are in Torbay and whilst we don't anchor that close to home very much, many do. I suppose it all depends on what the details are (proposed) for each zone.

 

[Searush]

Thanks Harry. Eveybody needs to check this out for their own local area.

The time is running out to make your case before restrictions get applied that could seriously affect your cruising or livelyhood & possibly safety.

 

[Boathook]

Back to the top.

 

[oldharry]

Thanks

 

[NUTMEG]

Blackwater based but...

Thank you. Not much impact expected here in the Essex mud. In any event, I do not see how anyone could have the resources to police anchoring restrictions amongst the countless inlets and creeks but well worth keeping abreast of. Much appreciated chaps.

 

[Searush]

Thank you. Not much impact expected here in the Essex mud. In any event, I do not see how anyone could have the resources to police anchoring restrictions amongst the countless inlets and creeks but well worth keeping abreast of. Much appreciated chaps.

It doesn't really need policing. does it? There are plenty of Eco-freaks who might be birdwatching, fungus spotting or whatever. that would be only to happy to photograph & report you.

 

[FWB]

BBC Spotlight...covers the Southwest....had a feature this evening. They gave a lot of credence to Finding Sanctuary. Now there's a surprise.

 

[Seven Spades]

Please expand:

The Tamar proposal: Duchy of Cornwall has already raised the issue of moorings and anchoring in the proposed area

Do you have a link? Are the Duchy on our side or against it?

 

[oldharry]

Thank you. Not much impact expected here in the Essex mud. In any event, I do not see how anyone could have the resources to police anchoring restrictions amongst the countless inlets and creeks but well worth keeping abreast of. Much appreciated chaps.

MMO has the responsibility for policing any restrictions, and they have a small 'private Navy' in the form of the Fisheries Patrol fleet, which is already active in pursuing MCZ matters. So Hammond Innes style dawn raids by sleek grey patrol boats are not out of the question!

Seriously though, MMO has area representatives in most major centres, and monitoring MCZs will be a part of their brief. The lid is rather firmly still on that particular can of worms! Much will depend on the levels of 'management of activity' set down fro each specific area.

I suggested to MMO's Head of Enforcement at a recent meeting that if he did not get the support of the local community and boating people at Studland for whatever is proposed, he would need to base a permanent patrol on duty there to enforce any anchor ban that might be imposed. He did not seem too happy at that idea....!

 

[oldharry]

Please expand:



Do you have a link? Are the Duchy on our side or against it?

I do not have a lot of information on it at present. Duchy as you will know are the landowners, and own the fishing/seabed rights in the estuary. Like Crown Estates, although they own the seabed their rights are limited.

You could take a look at TECFas the focal point of discussion:
http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/tecf_annual_report_2011_to_2012.pdf

Finding Sanctuary passed much of the responsibility for defining the MCZ over to TECF, which is why I did not see much about it.

There is a comment in the DEFRA report that Duchy Of Cornwall had already raised the issue of the many moorings present in the area. Presumably if they derive income from moorings directly or indirectly, they will not want to see them being removed!

Two other links I have: www.tamar-estuaries.org.uk Kaja.curry@plymouth.gov.uk

Kaja Curry is the Coastal Co-ordinator for TECF and is very much at the centre of things.

 

[onesea]

It doesn't really need policing. does it? There are plenty of Eco-freaks who might be birdwatching, fungus spotting or whatever. that would be only to happy to photograph & report you.

+1 Lets fight to make it legal first...

 

[Blueboatman]

Thank you ( again) OH.
Putting this in the public, debatable, all-aware spotlight has really IMO got them worming and quite rightly, coupled with a right shift politically back to 'laissez faire''..
They don't like it up em Sir"