• European Marine Sites
• Natural Environment Group
• SEMS Publications
• Solent Marine Sites
• Annual Management Report
• Annual Meeting
• Annual Survey
• Management Scheme
• Management Scheme Activities
• SEMS Management Group
• SEMS Map
• SEMS Site Condition and Conservation Advice
• SEMS Sites
• Solent MCZs
• Strategic Stakeholder Group

Solent Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs)

The Marine and Coastal Access Act (MCAA) 2009 allows for the creation of Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). MCZs protect a range of nationally important marine wildlife, habitats, geology and geomorphology, and can be designated anywhere in English and Welsh territorial and UK offshore waters.  You can see where the zones are on JNCC’s interactive map.

There are three MCZs in the Solent:

• Yarmouth to Cowes
• Bembridge
• The Needles MCZ

The Solent Marine Sites Management scheme does not currently cover the management of non-licensable activities at these sites as they are covered by different legislation. However, we do ask Relevant Authorities to report on any activities that they think might be impacting in the SEMS Annual Survey and we pass on any concerns to the appropriate body.

Solent Marine Conservation Zones

Source: Defra's Magic Map