‘It’s north Devon’s turn’ for marine wildlife protection, say community figures

Community figures across north Devon, including local MP Sir Nick Harvey, are supporting a campaign to secure protection for the area’s unique marine environment. Two sections of the north Devon coast, along with an offshore area north of Lundy, are set to be considered by UK Government for designation as Marine Conservation Zones in 2015. As no new areas for protecting north Devon’s marine wildlife were included in the Government’s first designation of MCZs in 2013, the feeling that 2015 is ‘north Devon’s turn’ is building. The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is expected to begin a public consultation on up to 37 recommended Marine Conservation Zones in the next few weeks. The three north Devon recommended MCZs are Bideford to Foreland Point, Hartland Point to Tintagel and North of Lundy. These three areas include a wide variety of coastal and undersea habitats from the sandy shores of Bideford Bay to the popular rockpools of Ilfracombe’s Tunnels Beach. Devon Wildlife Trust has been inviting people to support legal protection of north Devon’s marine wildlife by becoming a Friend of Marine Conservation Zones. This campaign has received support from prominent figures in the local community. Local MP Nick Harvey explained why he wanted to see the creation of a Marine Conservation Zone on the coast of his constituency: “We are incredibly lucky to have such a stunning section of coastline right on our doorstep here in North Devon, inhabited by a diversity of species, from reef-building worms to seabirds, rare corals and harbour porpoises. There are real gaps in the existing Marine Conservation Zones across the country and I strongly support the case for Bideford to Foreland Point to receive this designation in the second ‘tranche’ of MCZs.” The first ‘tranche’ of 27 MCZs designated in 2013, included four Devon sites. Although one of these was around Lundy, these waters had already received protection as England’s first Marine Conservation Zone in 2010. That’s why the second round of MCZs represents the first opportunity to secure new areas to protect marine wildlife in north Devon. Sir Nick took up this point: “The conservation of North Devon’s rich marine environment is vital. We need the tailored protections that MCZ status can offer to ensure that generations to come are able to enjoy, study and preserve our fantastic marine ecosystems. There is a huge amount of evidence to back up Bideford to Foreland Point’s candidacy for the MCZ designation and I hope experts and the Government alike will make the right decision this year.” The beauty and variety of north Devon’s coastal and marine environment also support local livelihoods in fishing and tourism. New Marine Conservation Zones could have a role to play in safeguarding jobs for the future. Lawrence Raybone, director of Ilfracombe Aquarium, emphasized this point: “Careful consideration and collaboration needs to be offered to those who depend on the proposed Marine Conservation Zones for their livelihoods - but at the same time in order to provide long term sustainability of biodiversity adequate protection within proposed marine reserves is the only solution” said Lawrence. North Devon has already proved this to be the case, Lawrence continued: “Lundy Marine Reserve has provided evidence of the benefits of marine reserves providing safe havens for biodiversity -including commercial species such as lobster. These animals grow larger and produce more offspring, with juveniles moving into surrounding unprotected areas. These unprotected areas have then seen improved productivity and commercial value.” And it’s not just fisheries that could benefit, added Lawrence. “Other benefits include eco-tourism which is another valuable growth industry.” Currently closed for refurbishment, Ilfracombe Aquarium is due to re-open for the February half-term with a Devon Wildlife Trust display on the Marine Conservation Zones campaign. The marine wildlife of the north Devon coast still provides surprises. In 2014, retired teacher Robert Durrant, who volunteers as a marine recorder for Coastwise North Devon, discovered a new variety of sea anemone off Hele Bay, as reported in December. Bideford resident Robert explained why creating new Marine Conservation Zones is so important: “The more rich in species the seas are, the more we are enriched, spiritually as well as economically. So it is vital that we act quickly and effectively to stop the decline, and to create havens where this natural treasure of sealife can be safe and flourish. There needs to be a network of such havens, interlinked and comprising every type of habitat for every type of marine life.” Having spent countless hours exploring the north Devon coast, Robert detailed his feelings about why this area is so special: “The dramatic coast of North Devon is a beautiful but a harsh and demanding environment. There is little shelter. On the rocky coast, most creatures have to seek out refuges against the pounding Atlantic breakers. Nevertheless, there is a great richness of life here. And this needs protection against human ravages, against which it is defenceless, much more than against the fury of the sea against which it can cling to life.” Devon Wildlife Trust’s Richard White, summed up what marine conservationists want to see in north Devon: “It is vital that we fill gaps in the network of protection around our coast. The North Devon Marine Conservation Zones were left out of the first round, much to the annoyance of local stakeholders who worked so hard to reach agreement on where they should go. We know that the voice of the public makes a difference, so we are encouraging people to respond to the Defra consultation in the coming weeks, showing the strong levels of local support to ensure these special places are protected.” 

To support the creation of north Devon’s MCZs people can become a Friend of Marine Conservation Zones on the Wildlife Trusts’ website ‘Friends’ receive all the information and guidance required to take part in the public consultation on Marine Conservation Zones, which is expected to begin in the next few weeks. 

  Welcombe Mouth, where Devon meets Cornwall: coastline included in Hartland Point to Tintagel recommended MCZ - Photo copyright David Chamberlain (All Rights Reserved)

Nick Harvey MP and DWT’s Richard White rockpooling at Combe Martin, Sept 2014 
Photo copyright DWT (All Rights Reserved)
Devonshire cup coral, one of the notable species of Bideford to Foreland Point recommended MCZ Photo copyright Paul Naylor (All Rights Reserved)