Process for identifying MCZ,s in Wales
Sept 26, 2009 4:52:09 GMT -1
Post by SEAJUNKY on Sept 26, 2009 4:52:09 GMT -1
GOVERNANCE PROCESS FOR IDENTIFYING MARINE CONSERVATION ZONES
(MCZs) IN WALES
The Welsh Assembly Government is developing a process that meets its commitment
to stakeholder engagement. The process will ensure that key stakeholder groups are
involved, that the wider public are engaged and that the basis for delivering an MPA
network is robust. Securing this wider buy-in from key interests should also help
deliver more effective marine stewardship as well as maintaining and improving the
biodiversity of Welsh seas.
We are establishing a project for the identification and designation of MCZs, which will
contribute to the wider Welsh and UK MPA network. This project covers the first
phase of activity up to 2012. The intention is then to review the position in the context
of the Strategy for Marine Protected Areas in Wales.
The process for identifying MCZs will consist of four stages:
1-Preparatory Stage
2-Site Selection Stage
3-Consultation Stage
4-Designation Stage
The detailed stages are summarised in the figure on page 3.
We intend to establish a Steering Group, a Technical Advisory Group and a
Stakeholder Group to govern this project.
The Steering Group -will be chaired and led by the Assembly Government and will
provide the overall direction for the project, ensuring delivery of the project aims,
objectives, outcomes and milestones. The group will help govern and monitor the
work of the Technical Advisory Group and Stakeholder Group and make the final
decisions on such things as site selection criteria, site recommendations and
management measures, including conservation objectives, taking into account advice
from the Technical Advisory Group and views from the Stakeholder Group.
Membership for this group will include senior level representatives across the
Assembly Government, CCW, Environment Agency Wales and the Welsh Local
Government Association. The Chairs of the Technical Advisory Group and
Stakeholder Group will also be members of the Steering Group to ensure strategic
links between all three groups.
The group, through its members, will provide the link with other Marine Protected Area
projects across the UK and with the Welsh Assembly Government Fisheries
Management & Marine Enforcement Project.
The Technical Advisory Group -will be the operational hub within the governance
structure, providing technical support and advice to the Steering Group and the
Stakeholder Group. It will provide the technical and expert advice on the aims and
1
objectives of the process, develop site selection criteria, collect, collate and analyse
data (ecological and socio-economic) to inform site selection and develop possible site
proposals for the Stakeholder Group and the Steering Group to consider.
Membership of this group will include technical experts and will include the following
bodies:
• Assembly Government – Technical Services Division and Economic Advice
(EcAD)
• Countryside Council for Wales
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee
• Environment Agency Wales
• Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas – UK
Government Agency)
• Wales Environment Research Hub
• Academia – Wales wide representation.
The Stakeholder Group -will ensure that all relevant stakeholder interests are
represented in order to inform the site selection criteria and decisions regarding the
location of MCZs. The group will also facilitate wider public engagement and raise
awareness of the project. We propose that the Wales Coastal and Maritime
Partnership1, an existing non-statutory advisory body to the Assembly Government,
will take on this role. The Chair of the Stakeholder Group will therefore be the Chair of
the Partnership.
Membership of this group will be formed from the existing standing membership of the
Wales Coastal and Maritime Partnership; additional external members to be included
as necessary. The Partnership is establishing a working group to oversee the
process.
1 www.walescoastalpartnership.org.uk/
2
STAGE 1
PREPARATORY
STAGE
Autumn/Winter
STAGE 2
SITE SELECTION
STAGE
Winter 2009 –
Summer 2011
STAGE 3
CONSULTATION
STAGE
Autumn 2011Autumn
2012
STAGE 4
DESIGNATION
STAGE
Autumn/Winter
SITE OPTIONS
TAG analyses data and develops site
options
DESIGNATION
Welsh Ministers passes designating orders
CONSULTATION
TAG provides site options to WCMP and SG
WCMP feedback on site options and engages wider public in consultation
SG makes recommendations to WAG
WAG undertakes full public consultation on site recommendations
WAG considers consultation responses and representations
Welsh Assembly Government prepares
aims and objectives
Welsh Assembly Government announces
aims, objectives and timetable for public
consultation
Welsh Assembly Government establishes
governance structure
Steering Group
(SG)
Technical Advisory
Group (TAG)
Stakeholder Group
WCMP
APPROACH
TAG develops criteria and methodology
WCMP provide feedback and advice to TAG
SG agrees the criteria and methodology
DATA COLLECTION
TAG collects and collates data
WCMP provides data where available, begins public engagement programme
SG oversees and sets milestones and limits
Chart showing the four stages in the process of selecting MCZs
(MCZs) IN WALES
The Welsh Assembly Government is developing a process that meets its commitment
to stakeholder engagement. The process will ensure that key stakeholder groups are
involved, that the wider public are engaged and that the basis for delivering an MPA
network is robust. Securing this wider buy-in from key interests should also help
deliver more effective marine stewardship as well as maintaining and improving the
biodiversity of Welsh seas.
We are establishing a project for the identification and designation of MCZs, which will
contribute to the wider Welsh and UK MPA network. This project covers the first
phase of activity up to 2012. The intention is then to review the position in the context
of the Strategy for Marine Protected Areas in Wales.
The process for identifying MCZs will consist of four stages:
1-Preparatory Stage
2-Site Selection Stage
3-Consultation Stage
4-Designation Stage
The detailed stages are summarised in the figure on page 3.
We intend to establish a Steering Group, a Technical Advisory Group and a
Stakeholder Group to govern this project.
The Steering Group -will be chaired and led by the Assembly Government and will
provide the overall direction for the project, ensuring delivery of the project aims,
objectives, outcomes and milestones. The group will help govern and monitor the
work of the Technical Advisory Group and Stakeholder Group and make the final
decisions on such things as site selection criteria, site recommendations and
management measures, including conservation objectives, taking into account advice
from the Technical Advisory Group and views from the Stakeholder Group.
Membership for this group will include senior level representatives across the
Assembly Government, CCW, Environment Agency Wales and the Welsh Local
Government Association. The Chairs of the Technical Advisory Group and
Stakeholder Group will also be members of the Steering Group to ensure strategic
links between all three groups.
The group, through its members, will provide the link with other Marine Protected Area
projects across the UK and with the Welsh Assembly Government Fisheries
Management & Marine Enforcement Project.
The Technical Advisory Group -will be the operational hub within the governance
structure, providing technical support and advice to the Steering Group and the
Stakeholder Group. It will provide the technical and expert advice on the aims and
1
objectives of the process, develop site selection criteria, collect, collate and analyse
data (ecological and socio-economic) to inform site selection and develop possible site
proposals for the Stakeholder Group and the Steering Group to consider.
Membership of this group will include technical experts and will include the following
bodies:
• Assembly Government – Technical Services Division and Economic Advice
(EcAD)
• Countryside Council for Wales
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee
• Environment Agency Wales
• Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas – UK
Government Agency)
• Wales Environment Research Hub
• Academia – Wales wide representation.
The Stakeholder Group -will ensure that all relevant stakeholder interests are
represented in order to inform the site selection criteria and decisions regarding the
location of MCZs. The group will also facilitate wider public engagement and raise
awareness of the project. We propose that the Wales Coastal and Maritime
Partnership1, an existing non-statutory advisory body to the Assembly Government,
will take on this role. The Chair of the Stakeholder Group will therefore be the Chair of
the Partnership.
Membership of this group will be formed from the existing standing membership of the
Wales Coastal and Maritime Partnership; additional external members to be included
as necessary. The Partnership is establishing a working group to oversee the
process.
1 www.walescoastalpartnership.org.uk/
2
STAGE 1
PREPARATORY
STAGE
Autumn/Winter
STAGE 2
SITE SELECTION
STAGE
Winter 2009 –
Summer 2011
STAGE 3
CONSULTATION
STAGE
Autumn 2011Autumn
2012
STAGE 4
DESIGNATION
STAGE
Autumn/Winter
SITE OPTIONS
TAG analyses data and develops site
options
DESIGNATION
Welsh Ministers passes designating orders
CONSULTATION
TAG provides site options to WCMP and SG
WCMP feedback on site options and engages wider public in consultation
SG makes recommendations to WAG
WAG undertakes full public consultation on site recommendations
WAG considers consultation responses and representations
Welsh Assembly Government prepares
aims and objectives
Welsh Assembly Government announces
aims, objectives and timetable for public
consultation
Welsh Assembly Government establishes
governance structure
Steering Group
(SG)
Technical Advisory
Group (TAG)
Stakeholder Group
WCMP
APPROACH
TAG develops criteria and methodology
WCMP provide feedback and advice to TAG
SG agrees the criteria and methodology
DATA COLLECTION
TAG collects and collates data
WCMP provides data where available, begins public engagement programme
SG oversees and sets milestones and limits
Chart showing the four stages in the process of selecting MCZs