Finding Sanctuary strongly believes that the development of MPAs needs to be guided and influenced by all those whose livelihoods or leisure activity could be changed by them.
If the outcomes of Finding Sanctuary could affect you, or you have an interest in the future of the marine environment in South West England, you are a stakeholder and we would like to hear from you.
MPAs will restrict some activities in some locations, in particular those that are more harmful to the marine environment. With your involvement we hope to build a comprehensive picture of how the seas are used by fishermen, sea anglers, divers, boat owners and other stakeholders. With this information MPAs can be planned carefully to minimise the impact of these restrictions and maximise their nature conservation potential. Allowing stakeholders to shape the developing MPA network will furthermore build support for the MPAs once they are in place. The more local stakeholders are engaged with and support the development of the MPA network, the greater the likelihood we will succeed.
There are four simple ways you can get involved:
- Visit the webGIS and begin creating a map of the sea areas you use and know.
- Contact your local liaison officers who will help you map your sea areas. Using questionnaires and maps, they will record which parts of the seas and coasts you use, as well as your valuable, life-learned ecological knowledge such as the location of habitats and spawning grounds.
- Get involved with your Local Group
- Give us some feedback
Your Liaison Officers
- Dorset: John Weinberg
- Devon: Dave Murphy
- Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly: Spike Searle
- Somerset: Martin Syvret
