Controversial marine zones consultation ends tomorrow (From Western Telegraph)

Controversial marine zones consultation ends tomorrow

11:00am Monday 30th July 2012 in County News

A consultation on potential Marine Conservation Zones will finish tomorrow (Tuesday).

Three of the ten proposed zones are in Pembrokeshire – at Dale, Skomer and south west of Strumble Head, with three or four to be chosen by the Welsh Government.

Views and information are currently being collected by the Welsh Government as part of the consultation, which finishes tomorrow.

Adoption of the sites will depend on the evidence gathered during this consultation. There are fears that creation of the zones could mean a ban on commercial and recreational fishing, a ban on the anchoring of boats and possible restrictions on other activities.

MP Stephen Crabb is calling for people in Pembrokeshire’s coastal communities to look carefully at the proposals.

His appeal follows a half-day spent on the water with AM Paul Davies and various stakeholders, including the Countryside Council for Wales, looking at the proposed Skomer site.

Mr Crabb said: “Pembrokeshire has one of the world’s truly outstanding coastlines and it is vital that we have world-class environmental protection in place.

“However, there are a number of coastal communities like Dale, Marloes and Abercastle, where marine activities are crucial to their local economy. Any new protection must therefore strike a sensitive balance to avoid damaging these communities.

“Local people and communities need to get stuck in to the debate.

“I am concerned that there doesn’t seem to be greater awareness from local communities about these zones and the potential implications of them.

“I am urging everyone who may be affected by these proposals to feed in to the consultation process.”

To participate in the consultation process visit www.wales.gov.uk/marine before July 31st.