Marine Conservation Zones Created On The South Coast

21 November 2013, 17:08 | Updated: 21 November 2013, 17:14

Four new Marine Conservation Zones have been created on the South Coast.

The government's announced the location for 27 marine conservation zones, covering 9,700 square kilometres from the Aln estuary in the north-east to Beachy Head in the south and Padstow Bay and the Scilly Isles in the south-west.

On the south coast, the four new areas are Poole Rocks, Chesil Beach, South Dorset and Pagham Harbour near Chichester.

It'll mean extra protection for marine wildlife by restricting activities like diving and fishing.

The Government had originally planned 127 zones.

The chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, Barrie Deas, said:

"The fishing industry welcomes today's announcement that the Government has elected to continue building a network of marine protected areas using a scientific and phased approach.

"Today's decision confirms the Government has balanced scientific information on vulnerable habitats, with data on the socio-economic consequences of applying management measures within each designated zone to find a solution which brings benefits to all."