Last summer, following consultation, the site progressed to the next stage of the government’s HPMA designation process, which would potentially give this richly biodiverse area, a much higher level of marine protection, by banning all damaging activities within the boundaries such as stopping fishing.

The decision not to award the sea around Lindisfarne HMPA status highlights the importance of consultation with local communities in the process. Whilst NWT supports the concept of HPMA’s which aim to protect more of our diminishing marine ecosystems, local consultation and the nature of the area did not make it a suitable candidate.

The wildlife charity listened closely to the views and opinions of the local fishing community whose livelihoods would have been disproportionately affected if HMPA status had been awarded, with many local residents including the head teacher of the island’s school and local church ministers also against it for community and reasons.

The area is already well designated and protected and moves towards more sustainable shellfish fishing are under way. It has very strong environmental characteristics including salt marsh, beaches, cliffs, dunes and islands which support important breeding colonies of seabirds such as terns, auks and guillemots, as well as seals. Despite this, there are pollution issues which again are being tackled which would not again have been appropriate to HPMA designation.

The second area put forward locally, North-East of Farnes Deep, is still designated an HPMA.

Situated well offshore, the area has a sand and gravel seabed that, whilst sounding uninteresting, is home to uncommon and fragile animals such as sea pen and anemones, worms, molluscs as well as fish. Dolphins, whales and harbour porpoise also use the wider area.

Mike Pratt, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Chief Executive says:

“We welcome both decisions on these two potential Highly Protected Marine Areas that is the non-designation of Lindisfarne and the designation of the area North-East of Farne Deeps.

“These are two very different areas, wildlife speaking, as well as in terms of their cultural significance and we believe it was not necessary or appropriate to make Lindisfarne area a HPMA, though the other area should benefit from more protection.

“This consultation underlined the absolute need to involve and closely consult local communities affected by any decisions and to listen to their concerns.”