A consultation on proposed fisheries-management measures for three protected offshore sites in the Northern Ireland region will close at 11.59pm on 24 August. DAERA is seeking views from people and organisations with an interest in the marine area beyond 12 nautical miles from the coast.
The proposals concern Queenie Corner Marine Conservation Zone, South Rigg Marine Conservation Zone and Pisces Reef Complex Special Area of Conservation. Each of the three areas is included in the consultation on potential fisheries management.
DAERA says the measures were developed with the Co-Fish stakeholder group. The department is now consulting on them before any outcome is determined for the offshore marine protected areas covered by the exercise. The measures remain proposals at this stage.
The department has said the consultation concerns protected habitats in areas where bottom trawling for prawns takes place. The exercise therefore brings together the protection of those habitats and fisheries activity within the specified offshore region.
Its geographic focus is the Northern Ireland offshore marine area beyond 12 nautical miles from the coast. The consultation is directed at those with an interest in that area, including interested organisations as well as individuals.
No final fisheries-management outcome has been settled through the publication of the consultation. Potential effects on fishing activity are not fixed measures, and will remain subject to the department’s consideration of responses and its further decisions.
Responses on Queenie Corner MCZ, South Rigg MCZ and Pisces Reef Complex SAC must be submitted by 11.59pm on 24 August. DAERA’s consultation is the current process for gathering views on the proposed measures for these three offshore protected areas.