PROTECTING THE WASH AND NORTH NORFOLK'S MARINE ENVIRONMENT

LONDON, March 11 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

MMOis hostingfiveupcoming(Your Coast - Explore, Enjoy and Protect)workshopsinThe Wash andNorth Norfolkregion, with online options included.These workshopsaimtogive everyone the opportunity to shape the future management of marine recreational activities inTheWash andNorth Norfolk's preciousmarine protected areas.Thiscouldinclude activitiessuch as diving, sailing, kitesurfing, kayaking,powerboating,anchoringandwildlife watching.

This is also a chance for people tolearnaboutMMO'sproposals and to share their views.

TheWash andNorth Norfolk coastis home totwo nationally important marine protected areas: the Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds Marine Conservation Zone(MCZ)and The Wash and North Norfolk Coast Special Area of Conservation(SAC). Thisstretch of coastlineisalsohome to more than 90% of England'sprotectedharbour seal population.

Topicsofdiscussioninclude:

* Anchoringactivity * Wildlife watching boat tours * Seal disturbance * Theremoval of abandoned,lostand discarded fishing gear during diving activities

MMO will presentits findingsso faronhow these activities may beimpactingthe area's protected marine environment, before inviting participants to share their local knowledge and shapeits next steps.

Jessica Churchill-Bissett, Head of Marine Conservation (Wildlife),said:

North Norfolk's coastline is truly special, from the chalk beds off Cromer to the seal colonies of The Wash, these are nationally and internationally important marine environments. But protecting them well means understanding how people use and value the sea locally.

We want to hear from divers, boat operators, wildlife watchers, andanyone who enjoys spendingtime on the waterand wants to help us balance marine recreation with the need to protect the natural environment.

Your knowledge and experience are genuinely important to us, and these workshops are a real opportunity to shape how we manage these areas for the benefit of both nature and the communities that depend on it.

TheYour Coast - Explore, Enjoy,Protectworkshops are as follows:

* Cromer:Tuesday24 March,6pm to 8pm * The Wash and North Norfolk:Wells Maltings,Wednesday25 March, 10:30am to 12pm * Seals in The Wash:Wells Maltings,Wednesday25 March, 1pm to 3pm * Cromer Online Event:Wednesday1 April,2pm to 3pm * The Wash and North Norfolk Online Event:Wednesday1 April,4pm to 5pm

For more details, locations and toregister to attend, please visitregister via Ticket Tailor

Seal resting on the sand

AdditionalInformation

These events will not cover shoreside activities or the management of fishing activities.

The Cromer Shoal Chalk Beds MCZ and The Wash and North Norfolk Coast SAC form part of the UK's contribution to the international network ofmarine protected areas (MPAs), supporting biodiversity and ecosystem services vital to both nature and local livelihoods.

MMO is the government body responsible for the sustainable development of England's seas.

For more information on the MMO's work on marine non-licensable activities, visit:Managing marine non-licensable activities in marine protected areas - GOV.UK

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.