More than 97% of British offshore marine protected areas (MPAs), designed to safeguard habitats and biodiversity, are being dredged and bottom trawled, according to data published by the Guardian. The pilot scheme of at least five highly protected marine areas (HPMAs), announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, was welcomed by the Wildlife Trusts as a “historic” move that would allow degraded underwater habitats to recover and set a new standard for marine protection. The Blue Marine Foundation said the pilot risks glossing over the “currently lamentable” system of MPAs around the UK. Puffins on Lundy Island, Bristol Channel, a marine protected area. “Highly protected marine areas will be vital to transforming our existing broken network of marine protected areas, where all forms of destructive fishing are still allowed to take place.

Source: The Guardian June 09, 2021 10:52 UTC