Marine Conservation Bill — Marine Conservation Zones designated to conserve marine ecosystem as a whole — rejected — 26 Oct 2009 at 22:00

The majority of MPs voted against the designation of Marine Conservation Zones for the purpose of conserving the marine ecosystem as a whole, in addition to other factors.

This vote was held during consideration of part of the Marine Conservation Bill, which says:^[1]

• The appropriate authority may make an order under section 116 if it thinks that it is desirable to do so for the purpose of conserving --
• marine flora or fauna;
• marine habitats or types of marine habitat;
• features of geological or geomorphological interest.

The proposed amendment, which was rejected, was to insert a fourth line, which read:^[2]

• the marine ecosystem as a whole.

The amendment is designed to enable a policy of creating a network of marine reserves -- some of which themselves might not be of conservation interest -- but are essential to allow living things to migrate from one zone to another without being trawled along the way.^[3]

The Minister was against the amendment because it is difficult to define the extent of the "marine ecosystem as a whole".^[4]

• [1] Marine Conservation Bill, Clause 117, Grounds for designation of MCZs
• [2] Katy Clark MP, House of Commons, 26 October 2009
• [3] Katy Clarke MP, House of Commons, 26 October 2009
• [4] Ann McKechin MP, House of Commons, 26 October 2009

Debate in Parliament | Source |