We are thrilled to share the news that 22,000 people completed our online action urging Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to designate 41 new Marine Conservation Zones in the seas around England.

Between 8 June and 20 July, the Government ran a public consultation on whether to create 41 new Marine Conservation Zones – a type of protected area at sea. Without these proposed Marine Conservation Zones some of our most precious wildlife – from seahorses to living reefs – would have no protection.

We warmly welcomed this ambition as a step in the right direction and launched a campaign asking everyone who loves the sea to give their Wave of Support, calling for each of the 41 new Marine Conservation Zones to be designated.

We want to say a huge thank you to each and every one of you that took the time to respond. We know from past consultations that the level of public support really does make a difference – and 22,000 responses in just 6 weeks is highly impressive!

The consultation has now closed and all of the responses we received have been sent to the Government alongside our own detailed response.  

The Government will now consider the consultation responses they received and make a decision on which of the 41 proposed Marine Conservation Zones they will formally create. The Government has to complete this process within 12 months, but we hope to hear an announcement from them in early 2019.

To stay up to date with our marine work and any updates on the Marine Conservation Zone process, why not become a Friend of Marine Conservation Zones today?

Become a Friend of Marine Conservation Zones