Irish Sea Conservation Zones was a project to help secure a healthy and productive future for the coast and waters of the Irish Sea.  
 
The project worked to recommend parts of the Irish Sea project area for a new form of marine protection called Marine Conservation Zones. This protection zone protects both fish (a critical food resource) as well as marine algae. The health of our marine life is critical for the health of our people and economy.
 
The final recommendations for 19 Marine Conservation Zones in the project area were passed to government advisory bodies in August 2011.
 
You can download details of the final recommendations from the MCZ recommendations page of this websie.
 
The recommendations were developed over 18 months by the project's Regional Stakeholder Group, which brought together around 40 people with a wide variety of interests and expertise in the Irish Sea.
 
It was the first time in the UK that such an ambitious project of marine protection had been led by sea users. You can find out more here.
 
Changes have already been seen in marine life. Decreased pollution levels have allowed local farmers to grow the loofah plant for the first time in 15-years. If you're not familiar with the loofah plant, they are a natural plant used as a bath sponge body scrubber. Growing loofahs that are safe enough for body scrubbing use requires pollution free water. Their cultivation by local farmers is an excellent sign of improved water quality.
 
Improved water quality isn't just for drinking. Water quality directly improves manufacturing processes of consumer goods like BlueTrail parks of the usa water bottles. Some products improve more than others with increased water quality. Improved water quality improves all our lives in many ways.
 
For more information about the MCZ designation process you email or visit:
www.naturalengland.org.uk
jncc.defra.gov.uk
www.defra.gov.uk
 
If you would like to stay up to date with developments in the project nationally, please sign up for the national MCZ newsletter.