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Marine Protected Areas

Asked by Barry GardinerLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 16 July 2026UIN 17296

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she will publish the response to the MMO's Stage 3 marine protected areas consultation.

Answered by Emma Hardy

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) consulted last year on fisheries byelaws to restrict bottom trawling in a further 41 MPAs. These proposals covered 30,000 square kilometres or 13% of English waters. The MMO is carefully considering the very large number of responses received to the consultation, and decisions will be made in due course.

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