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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Closed consultation Marine conservation zones consultation

    Topics:
    • Marine, 
    • Marine Conservation and Protection

    Consultation closed Consultation opened 14 December 2015, 10.30 am and closed 11 March 2016, 5.00 pm

    Summary

    DOE Marine Division is consulting on the proposed designation of four Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs)

    Documents

    • Marine Conservation Zone consultation - covering letter Adobe PDF (195 KB)
    • Carlingford proposed MCZ.zip ZIP archive (13 MB)
    • Outer Belfast Lough proposed MCZ.zip ZIP archive (15 MB)
    • Rathlin proposed MCZ.zip ZIP archive (12 MB)
    • Waterfoot proposed MCZ.zip ZIP archive (13 MB)
    • Draft regulatory impact assessment for Marine Conservation Zones in Northern Ireland Adobe PDF (3 MB)
    • Marine Conservation Zone - guidelines for conservation objectives, information on activities and management Adobe PDF (2 MB)
    • Synopsis of responses to MCZ consultation Adobe PDF (314 KB)

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    Consultation description

    The designation of Marine Conservation Zones through the Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 will add to our Marine Protected Area (MPA) network in the Northern Ireland Inshore Region.

    The MCZs are proposed for Carlingford Lough, Outer Belfast Lough, Rathlin and Waterfoot. MCZs are areas of sea where we protect rare or important national features from damaging activity.

    The proposed features are Deep-sea bed, Subtidal (sublittoral) seagrass beds, Subtidal (sublittoral) sand, Subtidal (sublittoral) mud with Sea-pen and white sea slug communities, Ocean quahog, Black guillemot and Geological/Geomorphological features such as Sea arches and Paleolagoons.

    The Department is seeking views on the MCZ proposals. All comments are welcome but must be received by the closing date stated.

    You can download the details of each proposed MCZ at the provided links.

    Guidance on how MCZs are selected and designated can be found in the publications section of this website by using the below link:

    • MCZ selection and designation guidance

    Ways to respond

    Consultation closed — responses are no longer being accepted.

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