The second tranche of Marine Conservation Zones being considered will include Studland Bay, Dorset, subject of long controversy over sea grass versus anchor flukes.

The forthcoming issue of Yachting Monthly (April) carries the full story of the battle for Studland Bay. Our enquiries about the north coast of the Isle of Wight being considered an MCZ has now been confirmed by Defra.
 
37 sites are being considered for inclusion in T2 which cover both inshore and offshore sites right around the English coast.
 
Alana Murphy, RYA Planning and Environmental Officer said “This list is just an early indication of those sites that might be in the public consultation for the second tranche due to take place early next year, with designation planned to take place by the end of 2015”.
 
Defra is currently gathering further evidence on the proposed sites and during the year will consult with the different sectors, including the recreational boating sector, on management measures. Defra plans to include an indication of what the management measures could be and what activities could be restricted in the public consultation.
 
“We are pleased that Defra is applying the lessons learned from the first tranche of MCZs and including the management measures in the consultation.
 
“However, several of the inshore sites included on this list may be of concern to the RYA, depending on the proposed management measures. We will now be working with RYA members and clubs to review all the evidence we originally submitted in 2012 and will discuss these concerns with Defra,” concludes Alana.
 
The first tranche (T1) of 27 MCZs were designated in November 2013 and consideration of management measures for these zones is currently underway.
 
You can read more information on MCZs and the RYA’s position at www.rya.org.uk/go/currentaffairs.
 
Sites under consideration for the second tranche of MCZs
1.Coquet to St Mary’s
3.Fulmar
5.Compass Rose
7.Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds
9.Dover to Deal
11.Offshore Brighton
13.Utopia
15.Norris to Ryde
17.The Needles
19.Western Channel
21.Lands End
23.Great Haig Fras
25.Hartland Point to Tintagel
27.North of Lundy
29.Celtic Deep
31.Mid St George’s Channel
33.Slieve Na Griddle
35.West of Walney
37.Allonby Bay
2.Farnes East
4.Runswick Bay
6.Holderness Inshore
8.The Swale Estuary
10.Dover to Folkestone
12.Offshore Overfalls
14.Bembridge
16.Yarmouth to Cowes
18.Studland Bay
20.Mounts Bay
22.North-West of Jones Bank
24.Newquay and The Gannel
26.Bideford to Foreland Point
28.South of Celtic Deep
30.East of Celtic Deep
32.North St George’s Channel
34.South Rigg
36.Mud Hole