There will be three opportunities this week to hear about Marine Protected Areas from visiting speakers and also to learn about the DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Manx Marine Nature Reserve Project.
John Butterwith is the Chief Executive of the North Devon Fishermen’s Association and he will be giving the fisheries perspective on the Lundy Marine Nature Reserve and other Marine Protected Area project in the South West of England.
He has many years' experience of fishing and of working towards more sustainable fisheries and protecting the marine environment.
Chris Davis is Senior Marine Policy Officer at Natural England and will be talking about the conservation benefits of Lundy Marine Nature Reserve and other Marine Protected Area projects in the UK.
Rowan Byrne is the newly appointed project manager for the Irish Sea Marine Conservation Zones project which is taking place in the English waters of the Irish Sea, adjacent to Manx waters.
He will be giving an overview of the new project which has only just started.
At all of these presentations there will be an opportunity to hear more about the DAFF Manx Marine Nature Reserve Project which is working towards a Marine Nature Reserve to protect marine life in Manx waters by 2011.
The site the for the Marine Nature Reserve has not been selected and marine users and the wider public are invited to participate in the project to select the most suitable site that will allow marine species and habitats to thrive whilst also bringing wider benefits to the community.
Schedule of Talks
Sunday 12 July 2-5pm House of Manannan, Peel. John Butterwith and DAFF officers will be available for an informal chat. Drop in and join them for a cup of tea. 8pm Philip Christian Centre, Peel. John Butterwith will give a presentation on 'The Fisheries Perspective on Marine Nature Reserves'.
Monday 13 July 8pm Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin. Chris Davis will give a presentation on 'Lundy Marine Nature Reserve and other Marine Protected Areas in the UK'. Rowan Byrne will give a short overview of the Irish Sea Marine Conservation Zones Project.
Everyone is very welcome and refreshments will be served.
