It has recently been announced that the UK’s Coastal Blue Belt − the maritime equivalent of the Green Belt − has been enlarged with the addition of 23 new marine conservation zones covering an area of 4,155 square miles. The purpose of the Blue Belt is to protect British waters and marine life.
There are now 50 marine conservation zones in the UK, covering an area of 7,886 square miles − about the size of Wales − and offering protection to about one-fifth of all English waters. The creation of the new environmental zones should help to safeguard different types of marine species, habitats and geological features. It will promote biodiversity and make sure that the seas around the UK remain healthy, are not overfished, and are protected from any harmful development.
From the north to the south of the country, the various zones have been established to conserve species such as spiny lobsters, stalked jellyfish and blue mussels, protect habitats such as coral colonies, and to safeguard geological features such as chalk reefs. There are now 45 different habitats, species and features under protection.
Although there are now a total of 50 sites with marine protection, there were originally proposals to create 127 sites. It has, however, been reported that more zones are expected to be added to the Blue Belt in the next year or so. Environmentalist groups have welcomed this move but believe there is still a lot more work to be done to protect and revitalise the UK’s coastal waters.
The expansion of the marine conservation zones is not just great news for those species living under the water but also provides a rewarding insight for those who visit the coastline. After consulting the tide times, these visitors might have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of one of the species under protection.
