In 2010, a portion of Flamborough Head marine protected area was designated as the first UK marine reserve in the North Sea. Collaborative efforts led by the local fishing community helped ensure that part of this MPA, originally established in 1993, is fully protected.
The Flamborough Head region was designated as a Special Area of Conservation under European legislation due to its extensive coastal chalk cliffs and its rich subtidal biodiversity. Flamborough Head is one of the northernmost extensions of chalk coast in Britain and harbours a diverse set of marine species. Given that this is an area of conservation concern and an important region for numerous economic activities—including commercial and recreational fisheries, tourism, research, wind energy and shipping—a zoning scheme that includes both no-take and multi-use zones is critical to management in Flamborough Head.
Designing the Flamborough Head marine reserve was complex due to the diversity of economic uses occurring in the MPA. Through a collaborative process, fishermen, scientists and policy makers determined the size and location of the no-take zone by balancing the closed area with the other uses in the MPA. With help from the local fishing industry, scientific research and monitoring are now underway to assess the effects of protection on the diverse species and habitats at Flamborough Head.
The zoning of the Flamborough Head MPA is an example of marine spatial planning, which can be an effective way to integrate the ecological benefits of reserves and the value of commercial and recreational activities. The management of multiple uses in the Flamborough Head region aims to protect a healthy ecosystem inside the reserve while also providing adjacent areas for sustainable fishing and recreation.
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