| answer text |
<p>Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a devolved competency and the information provided
therefore relates to England only.</p><p> </p><p>The Marine Management Organisation
(MMO) and the Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities assess on a site by site
basis which fishing activities could prevent them from achieving their conservation
objectives and determine what management is required to meet the site conservation
objectives.</p><p> </p><p>'Supertrawlers' generally target pelagic species of fish
within the water column and are unlikely to interact with the seabed habitats, such
as reef and sediment habitats, for which most MPAs are designated. Both bottom trawlers
and fly-shooters interact with the seabed and are therefore likely to impact seabed
habitats. The compatibility of these activities will depend on the features protected
in each site. If the site assessments conclude that this type of fishing poses a risk
to the conservation objectives of a MPA, the relevant regulator would implement management
measures.</p><p> </p><p>Management measures will be introduced on a site by site basis
to ensure that measures can be tailored to meet the conservation objectives of each
site, without unnecessarily restricting fishing activity. We believe using byelaws,
rather than fishing vessel licences, to manage fishing in MPAs is the best approach
to further site conservation objectives. All existing MPAs in our offshore waters
will be protected from fishing activities which could prevent them from achieving
their conservation objectives through a three-year byelaw programme being undertaken
by the MMO.</p>
|
|
