Finding Sanctuary (opens in a new window)  (FS) have been tasked under the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009) to plan network of Marine Conservation Zones in the seas around South West England.

The purpose of the four Local MCZ Groups (Dorset, Devon, Somerset and Cornwall) was to advise the FS Steering Group on areas for the proposed Marine Conservation Zones.

The Dorset Coast Forum has been facilitating the Dorset Local MCZ Group on behalf of Finding Sanctuary. The Dorset Local MCZ Group has met a number of times since inception to advise on the emerging MCZ network. Reports from these meetings can be found on the  Finding Sanctuary Resources Webpage (opens in a new window)  under "Local MCZ Group". The group has now ceased meeting and the FS Steering Group and Joint Working Group are now finalising the MCZ network that will be submitted to central government.

Relevant additional information:

• Introduction to Finding Sanctuary Local MCZ (pdf, 1Mb) (opens in a new window)
• Introduction to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) (pdf, 432kb) (opens in a new window)
• Role of Finding Sanctuary Steering Group (pdf, 665kb) (opens in a new window)

If you have any queries regarding the Dorset Local MCZ Group please contact Matilda Bark or Bridget Betts.

• Dorset Coast Forum Co-ordinator
  Name: Bridget Betts
  Email: b.betts@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 224760
  Full details for Bridget Betts
• Dorset Coast Forum Policy Assistant
  Name: Matilda Bark
  Email: m.bark@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 224833
  Full details for Matilda Bark
• Dorset Finding Sanctuary Liason Officer
  Name: Mr John Weinberg
  Web: http://www.finding-sanctuary.org
  Email: john@finding-sanctuary.org
  Tel: 07788 675 294
  Full details for Mr John Weinberg