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Marine Conservation Zones
The UK is committed to creating a coherent network of marine protected areas along its coastline and adjoining seas. To complement the existing European Marine Site network, a national level of designations has been progressed. These sites, known as Marine Conservation Zones were the result of a long consultation process in four regions of England and Wales during which coastal communities and sea users identified appropriate sites. Marine Conservation Zones will be designated in a number of rounds; Defra has published its consultation on the the first round of proposed sites on 13 December 2012.
More information can be found here: EIFCA response to Defra MCZ consultation