Zoning Plan for Ramsey Marine Nature Reserve

[Leon Roskilly]

Zoning Plan for Ramsey Marine Nature Reserve

 

 

Dear Marine Stakeholder,

 

Following our extensive public consultation process and input from a wide range of marine users, scientists and other stakeholders we very are pleased to be able to update you with the finalised Management Zones for Ramsey Marine Nature Reserve. We would like to thank you for your participation in the consultation process, whether you attended a consultation workshop, responded to the online survey, provided a detailed written response to the consultation or assisted us in any other way.

 

Over 200 people responded formally to the Ramsey Marine Nature Reserve consultation process and we received a large amount of additional information to inform the development of this plan. Over 85% of those who responded were active users of Ramsey Bay and the majority of responses were extremely supportive of the idea of establishing the Marine Nature Reserve.

 

The Zoning Plan is illustrated on the attached map and takes into consideration the information and views put forward by fishermen and other marine users through the consultation process. It represents a balance between protection of the marine environment and the commercial and recreational uses of the area. The Zoning Plan protects key habitats including eelgrass meadows, horse mussel reefs and maerl beds and offers higher protection to some of the most vulnerable areas.

 

Protection throughout Marine Nature Reserve (all coloured zones on map)

 

All zones on the map, including the Fisheries Zone, will be protected from aggregate extraction and dumping of dredged material. All zones will be protected from gill netting, a measure which has been developed in response to issues raised by anglers and all angling events will be catch and release (proposed by anglers’ representatives). Any offshore or coastal developments within the area will require authority from DEFA and an Environmental Impact Assessment.

 

Conservation Zone (green area on map)

 

The Conservation Zone (inner Ramsey Bay) will be protected from all trawling and dredging and all extraction of scallops and queenies. Potting, recreational angling and bait collection will be permitted.

 

Horse Mussel Zone (orange area on map)

 

The Horse Mussel Zone (off the Point of Ayre and Ballacash Channel) will be protected from all trawling and dredging and all extraction of scallops and queenies. The site will also be protected from potting. Recreational angling and bait collection will be permitted.

 

Fisheries Management Zone (purple area on map)

 

The Fisheries Management Zone (the outer area of Ramsey Bay) will be leased to the Manx Fish Producers’ Organisation by the Department of Infrastructure and managed to support sustainable fisheries. Conditions to the lease will ensure that the area is protected from overfishing and that habitat damage is minimised. Trawling and dredging will be permitted to a level set by the MFPO and licensed by DEFA. Potting and recreational fishing will be permitted.

 

Eelgrass Zone (pink area on map)

 

This small zone will be protected from all extraction of living resources. Catch and release angling will be permitted but bait collection will not be allowed.

 

Rocky Shore Zone (yellow area on map)

 

This narrow strip of coastal waters between Gob ny Rona and Maughold Head will be protected from all trawling and dredging and all extraction of scallops and queenies by other means. This management approach was developed in response to concerns raised through the stakeholder consultation process that the valuable rocky reef and kelp habitats along this coast also require protection. Most of the seabed and coast within the Marine Nature Reserve is on a sandy seabed. Rocky reef habitat is known to be diverse and also to provide natural breeding refuges for scallops. Recreational fishing and bait collection will be permitted.

 

Byelaws will soon be implemented to support the management measures included in this Zoning Plan. A monitoring programme will also be put in place to ensure that we can assess the effects of the management measures and ensure that the Ramsey Marine Nature Reserve is having the positive benefits it has been designed to deliver. We will be working closely with users of Ramsey Bay and the wider community to develop Ramsey Marine Nature Reserve as a real asset for fisheries management, marine conservation and great opportunity for Ramsey and the surrounding area.

 

Thank you for your valuable contribution to this process. We look forward to your continued support for this initiative to safeguard the future of Ramsey Bay as a valuable economic and ecological resource. If you would like further information about Ramsey Marine Nature Reserve please do not hesitate to get in touch.

 

Best wishes,

Fiona

 

 

 

PS Don’t forget the Queenie Festival this weekend in Port St Mary celebrating our wonderful marine life and fisheries. For more information see:

 

http://queeniefestival.com/

 

Dr Fiona Gell

Senior Marine Biodiversity Officer

Fisheries Directorate

Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture

Thie Slieau Whallian

Foxdale Road

St John’s

IM4 3AS

Isle of Man

British Isles

 

Tel: 01624 695738

Mobile: 07624 473753

 

Email: fiona.gell@gov.im

 

 

Isle of Man. Giving you freedom to flourish

[Leon Roskilly]

A new marine conservation zone in the north of the Isle of Man could benefit the fishing industry, the Manx fish producers organisation (MFPO) has said.

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-14077803