News
New progress report published
The latest suggestions for possible Marine Conservation Zones in the Irish Sea project area have been published.
Project deadline extended
The four MCZ projects around England will have several extra months to deliver their recommendations to the government.
Thanks for the information
We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to meet our liaison staff or fill in questionnaires during 2010.
Fisheries management guide
An easy-to-use guide to when and how any fishing regulations would be applied in Marine Conservation Zones is now available.
Latest Irish Sea zones report released
The latest thinking on potential new conservation areas in the Irish Sea is outlined in our second progress report.
Advice now online
Advice on Marine Conservation Zones from the science advisory panel is now available.
Manx marine reserve
The next stage of consultation to create a marine nature reserve off the Isle of Man has been announced.
Thanks for busy drop-in days
Over 50 people joined us at a drop-in days in Fleetwood and Barrow recently.
Last call for survey
There are now just a few weeks left for people to take part in the survey that may influence Marine Conservation Zones in the Irish Sea project area.
Drop-in days announced
Meet our liaison officers, take part in our activities survey and find out more about the project at our drop-in days in Lancashire and Cumbria.
Third workshop report
The full report from the third of our six scheduled regional stakeholder group workshops is now available.
Maryport drop-in day
Thanks to the fishermen of the Maryport Fishermen’s Co-operative who took part in our activities survey yesterday.
Quick reference guide published
A new easier-to-use version of the key guidance for Marine Conservation Zones has been published.
New marine protection announced
Fifteen new Marine Protected Areas were created today, designed to protect important habitats and species.
Co-location guidance
New guidelines say that Marine Conservation Zones could provide ‘win-win’ situations.
Minister meets sea users
The new fisheries minister, Richard Benyon, has heard the views of sea users from the Irish Sea.
First Progress Report
Our first progress report gives a snapshot of the work so far on potential Marine Conservation Zones.
Morecambe Bay adventure
Our liaison officer Laura Bates reports on a fascinating trip into Morcambe Bay.
Key guidance published
Natural England and the JNCC have published the key guidance that sets out the ecological requirements for Marine Conservation Zones.
Interactive map launches
Our new interactive map makes it easier for you to tell us which parts of the Irish Sea are important to you.
Report of second SG meeting
The full report from the second of our six scheduled regional stakeholder group meetings is now available.
Liaison officer job
We’re looking for a liaison officer to join our team and play an important role in the project.
Northern Ireland visit
Fishermen in Portavogie and Ardglass are being encouraged to find out more about new marine protection measures.
Second Stakeholder Group meeting
The regional stakeholder group has met for the second time as it works towards its recommendations for Marine Conservation Zones.
My Irish Sea: Chris Gregory
Chris Gregory began diving wrecks in the Liverpool Bay area of the Irish Sea 20 years ago.
Thanks
Thanks to the 26 people who kept us busy at our drop-in day in Southport on Saturday.
First key meeting
The full report from the first of our six scheduled regional stakeholder group meetings is now available.
Marine workshop
You can find out more about the Irish Sea Conservation Zones project by joining us at a conference in Preston this month.
Drop in to Southport
People in Southport are being urged to have their say about the future of the Irish Sea this Saturday.
Economist joins team
Our new project economist, Francesca Moore, joined the Irish Sea Conservation Zones team in February.
Protection strategy published
The government’s strategy for delivering a network of Marine Protected Areas has been announced by Defra.
MMO takes over
The new Marine Management Organisation brings together a number of marine management activities.
Scottish Marine Act
The Act that will lead to significant changes in the waters around Scotland received Royal Assent earlier this month.
Stakeholder group details
Contact details for the members of the Irish Sea Conservation Zones stakeholder group are now available online.
First look
A draft version of the document that will guide the creation of Marine Conservation Zones is now available.
First stakeholder group meeting
The Irish Sea Conservation Zones stakeholder group begins the important task of recommending conservation zones this week.
Drop-in day
Join us in Cumbria at our first drop-in day and find out more about the Irish Sea Conservation Zones project.
Stakeholder group news
Find out about the makeup of our stakeholder group – the people who will actually recommend Marine Conservation Zones to the government next year.
Comment on guidance
Defra is asking for comments on its draft guidance for selecting Marine Conservation Zones.
My week
Our Cumbria liaison officer Holly Deary didn’t let last month’s snow get in the way of meeting some of the county’s fishermen.
MCS tonight
Come along to tonight’s meeting of the Lancashire Marine Conservations Society to find out more about Marine Conservation Zones.
First conservation zone
Lundy Island, one of England’s most spectacular marine habitats, has become England’s first Marine Conservation Zone.
Working month
Liaison officer Laura Bates tells us about some of the people she met in the run up to Christmas.
Stakeholder Group
The process has been set out for creating our stakeholder group, which will play a pivotal role in recommending marine conservation zones.
Ireland visit
Our project manager, Rowan Byrne, reports on his recent trip to Ireland to meet sea users.
My Irish Sea: Captain Peter Kenny
Captain Peter Kenny of Corporate Cruising Ltd, owner and skipper of the Iantha, tells us about his love of the Irish Sea.
Key appointment announced
Dr Peter Ryder will chair the independent Science Advisory Panel for the selection of Marine Conservation Zones.
Have your say
A formal consultation on 12 proposed new ‘Natura 2000’ marine conservation sites starts today.
Workshop reports online
Word-for-word reports from all four of our stakeholder workshops are now available online.
Marine Conservation Society
Our liaison officer Laura Bates reports from the Marine Conservation Society’s AGM in Lancashire last week.
Morecambe meeting
Despite the rain, our liaison officers travelled up to Morecambe on Wednesday night to meet local fishermen and yacht club members.
Job opportunity
We’re looking for an economist to join our team and play a vital role in the project.
Marine Act welcomed
ISCZ welcomes the new Marine and Coastal Access Act and calls on users of the Irish Sea to recommend marine conservation zones.
Irish Sea on TV
Watch BBC North West Tonight's report on what marine conservations zones will mean for the Irish Sea.
Sea Change
Three of our team members will attend an event in London next month that asks how Europe can deliver a successful network of marine protected areas.
Fishermen feedback
Representatives of Cumbria’s commercial fishermen joined our liaison officers recently to comment on a proposed new questionnaire that will help map fishing activities in the Irish Sea.
Thanks for your comments
Thanks to all the people who came along to our workshops over the last two weeks.
Media launch at sea
Seven journalists and photographers headed out onto the Irish Sea this week as we held our media launch.
First workshop completed
We'd like to thank all the people who took part in the first of our four workshops today in Runcorn. It was a busy but very productive day.