MCZs - Important Please Read

[Overrun]

Copied from AnglersAfloat, posted by Darnsarf who will be known to some from the Kayak fishing presentation last autumn. Please forgive references to Kayak and replace with boat , obviously this affects all of us with an interest in the sea:

 

As you are probably aware Marine Conservation Zones (MCZ) like Finding Sanctuary are being planned not just in the South West but around the UK.

 

Last week we were invited to attend a MCZ meeting in the South West to represent Kayak Fishing interests. Unfortunately, both myself and Starvin were unable to attend due to work but we did have a very capable volunteer go on the forums and sports behalf. Thanks

 

The report back was very positive. The MCZ concept really is about protecting the marine environment and all the stakeholders that use it. To this end the meeting was very constructive with all parties getting behind the project. Recreational Sea Angling is seen as a vital element within the overall plan with both conservationists and the scientists all recognising the vital role it will play in supporting the MCZ idea.

 

Kayak Fishing was also welcomed and seen as a positive development. While we are handing out plaudits this site was also praised for it's responsible attitude to the Marine Environment. (This is not about catch and release and there was also absolutely no intimation that there would be no take zones or that they were ever going to be raised.).

 

However, one area was recognised by all parties as needing URGENT attention. The whole concept of supporting stakeholders like ourselves relies on the collection of accurate, up to date information. The information they have at the moment is at best vague and worst seriously flawed. Even those running the project acknowledge this and are BEGGING everyone with an interest to register their areas.

 

They have launched a new website that shows all the MCZs around the UK and allows you to register your fishing areas on a national scale. Recording is done on a map and allows areas to be designated ,not just spots which is particularly important for us. There is also a category for kayak fishing, time of year fished, the species of interest and the frequency you fish the area. As you can see it is pretty comprehensive and so is not particularly quick but accuracy is key to getting this right. You can duplicate an entry if you want to register more than one species for an area. It pays to read the tutorial first but once you have done it a couple of times it becomes straight forward.

 

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE put an evening and a couple of beers to one side and register your favorite spots. I put on nearly 45 different areas just to test the system. Once you get used to how the mapping system works its quiet enjoyable.

 

The idea is to show the powers that be all the kayak fishing areas so that they can consider our interest when drawing up the final MCZ proposals.

 

You will need to register and once you log on you need to register your interest which is at the top right of the page before you can get to the map to add your fishing areas. It does take a bit of working out but if I can do it I'm sure everyone else can too.

 

The link is http://www.mczmapping.org/

 

They would like all data to be gathered by September so please do this sooner rather than later.

 

We are hoping to have a permanent chair in the Finding Sanctuary Project. In anyone else would like to get involved in the South Coast; East Coast; Wales etc projects then please contact myself or Starvin and we will try to get you involved.

 

It is really important we take part in this project. It will shape the UKs marine policies for years to come and to be recognised and encouraged to participate is a major step forward for the sport.

 

Please help.

Thanks

James

[Maverick Martin]

At our August meeting we will be having a presentation from a representative of

[ChrisE]

Done my bit. As you say, it takes a bit of time but if we don't take the effort then we can't expect our voice to be heard.

 

Thanks for bringing it up.

 

Chris

Edited July 1, 2010 by ChrisE

[Paul D]

Done my bit too. Was quite quick