Wildlife groups furious at decision to protect fishing industry by dropping plans for two marine parks
The Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs announced on Tuesday that Dolphin Head in the Channel, Allonby Bay on the Solway Firth, and North East of Farnes Deep off Northumberland would be made Highly Protected Marine Areas by June.within the areas’ boundaries, including fishing and dredging.
Dr Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said that losing two out of five pilot sites was “a major setback and does not bode well for Government meeting its targets to effectively protect 30 per cent of land and sea by 2030”.