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<p>On 8 June 2021, the Government published its response to the Benyon Review into
Highly Protected Marine Areas (HPMAs). The Government accepted the central recommendation
that we should take forward pilot sites and we will designate these next year. The
purpose of HPMAs is biodiversity recovery and by setting aside areas of sea with high
levels of protection, HPMAs will allow nature to recover to a more natural state,
allowing the ecosystem to thrive in the absence of damaging activities. The Benyon
Review Panel reviewed clear evidence and heard strong support for the ecological benefits
that HPMAs can deliver. The Government will identify pilot HPMAs with ecological value,
including areas with potential to recover. Defra will then use social and economic
principles to minimise the impacts on sea users, including fishing communities. Defra
will evaluate socio-economic concerns, including fisheries displacement, before designating
HPMAs.</p>
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