Lundy No Take Zone reveals early success

The first No Take Zone for marine nature conservation in the UK is revealing promising results, according to English Nature.

The Lundy No-Take Zone, an area on the eastern side of Lundy Marine Nature Reserve, was set up in 2003 to enhance conservation of marine habitats and species. No living natural resources, including lobsters, crab and fish can be taken from the area. The marine life around Lundy is internationally important and supports many rare species as well as being a valuable asset for local fishermen.

The first year of monitoring has now taken place and has revealed an early effect on some species already.

Ben Bradshaw, the Minister for Nature Conservation and Fisheries said: "Striking a balance between conserving our natural environment and maintaining a viable fishing industry is a challenge that Government, the fishing industry and conservation interests are continuing to strive to achieve in a variety of ways. If these first results are anything to go by No Take Zones could offer a valuable contribution to meeting that challenge.

"I look forward, with keen interest, to the longer term results of the No Take Zone programme, both as the Minister responsible for Nature Conservation and Fisheries. No Take Zones may have the potential to help re-stock our fisheries."

The monitoring programme’s lead scientist, Dr Miles Hoskin, from MER Consultants Ltd, said: “It is very encouraging to see positive signs so quickly. After 18 months lobsters were both bigger and more abundant inside the NTZ compared to control areas outside. On average the NTZ contained three times as many lobsters above the minimum landing size compared to control areas. Although it is very early days in the monitoring programme we hope to find that the population will increase further and spill-over into areas outside the NTZ where fishermen can benefit.”
Chris Davis, English Nature Maritime Conservation Officer, said: "This adds to the growing amount of evidence that No Take Zones can offer benefits for the protection of marine wildlife and commercial fisheries. However, it is early days in the monitoring programme and the full effects of the NTZ
will not be known for another four years."

Notes for editors....

1. English Nature is the Government's independent agency that champions the conservation of wildlife and geology throughout England.

2. Lundy Island is located 12 miles off the north coast of Devon and is England's only Marine Nature Reserve.

3. The No Take Zone covering 3.3km2 on the east side of the island was established in 2002 to provide enhanced protection for the islands marine wildlife through a Devon Sea Fisheries Committee bylaw. No take zones are areas in the sea where all fishing and extraction of marine life is prohibited.

4. The monitoring programme is being undertaken by MER Consultants Ltd, Plymouth University and the Marine Biological Association.

5. Funding for the monitoring programme has kindly been provided by the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA, English Nature, WWF and in kind donations from Plymouth University and the Marine Biological Association.

6. Photographs of the scientists undertaking the monitoring are available from English Nature.

For more information contact English Nature's national press office on 01733 455190, out of hours on 07970 098 005, email press@english-nature.org.uk or go to www.english-nature.org.uk