ISLANDERS are overwhelmingly in favour of creating a marine national park around Jersey, according to the results of an independent poll.
The study, which was commissioned by the Blue Marine Foundation and the National Trust for Jersey, asked more than 2,400 people for their views on increasing protection for the Island’s ‘high-value’ marine habitats.
Of those who took part in the survey, conducted by research agency 4insight, 86% said they thought higher fisheries management standards should be introduced.
A majority of the respondents, 85%, thought a marine park should be set up covering 30% of Jersey’s waters to protect future fishing jobs, help tackle climate change and encourage tourism.
And 91% were in favour of a ban on bottom-trawling and dredging.
The creation of a marine park will be debated by States Members later this month, when Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham’s amendment to the Bridging Island Plan – calling for about 900km2 of sea to be protected from ‘inappropriate development and damaging activities’ caused by unsustainable fishing practices such as trawling and dredging – is considered.
Under Senator Farnham’s proposal, the marine park’s boundary would extend up to the three nautical mile limit around the Island, widening on the north-east and south-western boundary of Jersey’s territorial waters to include the Ecréhous and the Minquiers.
Senator Farnham said: ‘The poll has achieved a good sample size and so it is encouraging to see there is substantial support in the Island for the creation of a marine park.
‘The results demonstrate the strong commitment of Islanders to protecting Jersey’s unique natural marine environment.
‘The designation of a marine park would help protect local waters from harmful fishing practices such as unsustainable levels of trawling and dredging, while also showcasing the Island as a leading example of strong biodiversity and sea habitats.’
He added: ‘I would encourage States Members to consider the results of the study prior to the debate on my amendment as part of the Bridging Island Plan later this month.’
Charles Clover, executive director of the Blue Marine Foundation, a charity dedicated to restoring the ocean to health by addressing overfishing, said that the survey’s results sent a ‘very clear message’ that Islanders wanted marine life to be afforded better protection.
He said: ‘They want to see this new-found control over their waters result in sustainable management for the Island, for the environment and for future generations. Jersey is at a crossroads and its people have chosen firmly which path they wish to take.’
Charles Alluto, chief executive of the National Trust for Jersey, added: ‘The Crown gifted the seabed to the people of Jersey in 2015 and this poll clearly demonstrates how the majority of Islanders would like to see their marine environment managed and cared for by our government.
‘This month States Members will have the unique opportunity, afforded through the Bridging Island Plan debate, to demonstrate that they have listened to the people of Jersey and to put the necessary measures in place to deliver a marine park for the future benefit of our Island.’
