A FORMAL consultation on 12 proposed new marine conservation sites starts today. The sites are being put forward as the latest additions to the ‘Natura 2000’ network of European protected areas designed to protect important habitats, species and birds.

The 12 proposed new sites consist of 10 possible Special Areas of Conservation (pSACs) and two potential Special Protection Areas (pSPAs) which incorporate a range of important habitats and species - from the sandbanks of the Outer Wash and southern North Sea to areas in the Irish Sea that are important for birds, and to the cold water coral reefs off north-west Scotland.

Natural England, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Countryside Council for Wales are asking consultees to comment on the scientific reasons for proposing the sites, and on the assessment of the likely impacts of the site designation on marine industries such as fishing, recreation, sand and gravel extraction, windfarms and the oil and gas industry.

If approved, the new sites would treble the existing marine areas within the SAC/SPA designation in England.

Dr. Helen Phillips, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: “The Natura 2000 network of marine protected areas is a vital way of ensuring that our most important marine habitats and bird species are effectively protected. The consultation on the proposed new sites will create significant opportunities to promote understanding of our precious marine undersea landscapes, to share information to help refine the evidence for the proposed sites, and to work together with all users of the marine environment to develop future management measures.”

Marcus Yeo, Managing Director of JNCC, said: “This consultation process gives us the chance to ensure that all relevant information has been considered in our recommendations. This will help these sites to be recognised as ones that fully deserve their high profile and consequent protection.”

UK Fisheries Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “The sites to be consulted on have been identified to protect habitats and species of national and European importance. In conjunction with Marine Conservation Zones, established under the Marine and Coastal Access Act, these sites will contribute to delivering an ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas. Feedback is important and will help shape our final proposals to the European Commission in 2010.”

Following this formal consultation process, site proposals will be submitted to Government, and Ministers will decide which site recommendations to submit to the European Commission in August 2010.

The Wildlife Trusts today welcomed the consultation saying it was a ‘coming of age’ for UK marine protection.

Joan Edwards, The Wildlife Trusts’ head of Living Seas, said: “This is an important moment. Until now, the UK’s Marine Protected Areas have clung to the coast like a non-swimmer clings to the side of the pool. Now the agencies have finally ditched their water-wings and offered protection where it’s needed. These new MPAs represent some of the finest examples in Europe of undersea reefs and sandbanks, as well as areas that are internationally important, due to the huge numbers of marine birds that gather there.”

Joan continued: “The Wildlife Trusts are looking forward to working with the conservation agencies to secure designation of the new sites and ensure that the necessary protective measures are put in place. These sites will form an important part of the ecological network of MPAs the UK has committed to establish by 2012. In addition to the UK’s new and existing European MPAs, the network will include many nationally important sites, known as Marine Conservation Zones, which will be created under the new Marine and Coastal Access Act.”