Quarter of a million urge Minister to set up sea conservation sites around UK

All eight recommended Marine Conservation sites in Yorkshire were left out of the first round of a Government scheme to the disappointment of conservationists.

Researchers claim protecting habitats – including a three-mile wide strip from Skipsea to Spurn Point on the Holderness coast – would improve economic returns for everything from fisheries to nature watching.

The report by Plymouth University says doing nothing will result in the decline of an eco-system which supports the £4m-a-year shellfishing industry, recreational activities worth £1m, and nature watching which brings in £220,000.

In all, 127 sites around the coasts of England and Wales were put forward as recommended marine conservation zones, but the Government has unveiled plans to designate just 31, with no areas given the highest level of protection, which prevents all damaging activity.

Trawling and dredging is already banned from Holderness Inshore, but shellfishing – which is considered sustainable – is expected to be allowed to continue.

Mike Cohen, chief executive of Holderness Coast Fishing Industry Group, which represents over 90 per cent of the commercial fleet, said if they could carry on shellfishing, they would support the designation, adding: “There’s nothing incompatible between what we do and conservationists’ aims.”

Kirsten Smith, from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, who is part of the delegation meeting Natural Environment Minister Richard Benyon, said: “YWT are particularly disappointed to see no marine conservation zones in Yorkshire going forward in the first round. We are keen to see the Government take these sites forward in future and will be putting pressure on them to do that.”