April 2010 Newsletter

The deadline for the submission of our recommendations on the 1st June 2011 is now just over a year away and
that is certainly helping to focus our work. This newsletter gives us an opportunity to highlight some of the key developments over the last few months. With all the components in place now, our work over the next few months will focus on the Steering Group and its Working Groups. We will help them to develop their first iteration
of Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) suggestions for the Science Advisory Panel to consider in June this year.

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Decision making

With a 42-strong Steering Group and Local Groups set up
in the region, we are in a good position to begin developing suggestions for MCZs. We have also recently received draft ecological network guidance from Natural England and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) which will help guide the work of the Steering Group over the coming months. Read more…

Working Groups set up

Within the Steering Group we have now established an inshore and an offshore Working Group which will meet every six weeks to carry out the detailed planning
work. They will integrate the suggestions of the Local Groups and develop MCZ proposals for the wider Steering Group to consider. Read more...

Science Advisory Panel

The Science Advisory Panel (SAP) is an independent
body comprised of expert marine scientists, which has
been established to support Finding Sanctuary and the three other regional projects in the MCZ selection process.
Read more…

Finding Sanctuary joins Minister on a trip to Lundy

Members of the Finding Sanctuary project team and Steering Group joined the Minister Huw Irranca-Davies on a boat trip to Lundy – visiting England’s first Marine Conservation Zone. Read more…

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Understanding how our seas are used

It is essential that we have a thorough understanding of how the seas around the south-west are used by
fishermen, divers, and other commercial and leisure sectors, to inform the planning of MCZs. Over the last couple of years we have been building up a clearer
picture through the help of many hundreds of individuals, clubs and businesses. Read more…

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Data

Every Steering Group member now owns a large blue lever-arch file with over 175 maps – we call this the regional profile. It is designed to show all the data sets that we will be using to help make decisions. Many of these data sets can be viewed on the Interactive Map. In collaboration with data providers, experts and Steering Group members we will continue to improve and update the regional profile. Read more about the data sets we are using….

New activity maps added to Interactive Map

New data has been added to the Interactive map showing
leisure boating and watersports, angling and charter boat
activity. Read more….

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New Interactive Map tutorial

If you have tried to use the Interactive Map but found it difficult to navigate your way through, please try again. We have added a new tutorial to guide you through step by step to make it easier for you to share your information and data with us. Read more…

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IN THIS ISSUE

New Faces at Finding Sanctuary

Rupert Haines – Economist
Rupert joined the Finding Sanctuary team at the beginning of March as our project economist. His role within the project is to aid the work of the Steering Group and Working Groups and ultimately to deliver the formal Economic Impact Assessment which must accompany Finding Sanctuary’s network recommendations. He joins us from Atkins, a UK consultancy firm, where he was working as a senior economist involved in a broad spectrum of economic work. In particular Rupert has delivered impact assessments and project appraisals for a range of sectors and activities, with experience gained across the UK and Middle East.

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Finding Sanctuary on Facebook and Twitter

Follow Finding Sanctuary on Facebook and Twitter.

Drop-in Days

We have been running drop-in days throughout the region to give people the opportunity
to find out about Marine Conservation Zones and
how they can get involved in Finding Sanctuary. So far, about 420 people have attended our drop-in days. Read more…

Diary Dates

7th April – 1st Offshore
Working Group meeting

13th April
Cornwall Local Group meeting

19th April
Process Group meeting

22nd April
Somerset Local Group meeting

27th April – 1st Inshore
Working Group meeting

6th May – 2nd Offshore
Working Group meeting

You can now download our new events and meetings calendar online. The calendar includes dates of Steering Group meetings, Process Group meetings, Local Group meetings, Working Group meetings and drop-in days. Click here to download the calendar.