On Friday 20th July 2018, Defra ended its public consultation period about the final group of English recommended MCZs. Government will now take up to 12 months to decide whether Beachy Head East should become a Marine Conservation Zone.

In the meantime, help us keep Beachy Head East on the agenda by signing the petition and telling Westminster why you think it should be protected. You can also show your support on social media with the #BackingBeachyHeadEast.

The sea off Beachy Head, Eastbourne, Bexhill and Hastings is well known for a wealth of wildlife and rich seabed habitats.  Yet the local marine environment is being significantly damaged by unsustainable fishing methods, such as heavy bottom-towed fishing gear.

We want to protect our fragile local marine environments from harmful human activities and conserve them into the future. We consider high quality marine habitats, like marine conservation zones, to be good for our local community and economy. Designation as a Marine Conservation Zone will safeguard this. Marine Conservation Zone status is also national recognition of the value of our local ocean and something we strongly feel it deserves.

This is the third and final round of Marine Conservation Zone designations and we want to see Beachy Head East protected once and for all.

I am backing Beachy Head East and request that you, Defra, designate it as a Marine Conservation Zone.

©image Evan Jones