……..and DWT’s Carli Cocciardi, the Trust’s Marine Nature Recovery Officer, spelled out to Coastwise members what its policies are.
Key activities include:
- Campaigning for a ban on bottom towed fishing gear in Marine Protected Areas
- Bycatch mitigation measures for Highly Mobile Marine Species
- Wembury Marine Conservation Area
The Marine Protected Areas have a staged policy….
STAGE 1 assessed the impacts of fishing in 4 MPAs with offshore elements, for which management measures are now in force (June 2022)
STAGE 2 assessed and addressed the impacts of bottom towed gear on rock and reef features in 13 MPAs (March 2024)
STAGE 3 is assessing and addressing the remaining impacts of fishing on all seabed MPA features and includes 43 sites in total (ongoing)
STAGE 4 is assessing and addressing 5 MPAs designated for highly mobile species (ongoing)
Carli feels that Devon’s marine environment is healthy and thriving, thanks to habitat restoration effort and pressure management.Key activities include: Intertidal habitat restoration, responding to consultations on developments, developing a strategy to tackle marine pollution.
