The UK's first 'No Take Zone' at the popular diving spot of Lundy island, off the north Devon coast, shows signs that marine life is now flourishing.

The 'No Take Zone' was established in 2003 on the eastern side of the Lundy Marine Nature Reserve, in consultation with local fishermen. No living natural resources, including lobsters, crab and fish can be taken from the area.

The No Take Zone (NTZ) is being monitored by scientists to see whether the strategy can provide a model for other areas, and a conclusive answer is not expected for another 4 years.

However, after just 18 months, the early results appear to show that the area is succeeding in providing a recovery ground for marine life.

"It is very encouraging to see positive signs so quickly. After 18 months lobsters were both bigger and more abundant inside the NTZ compared to control areas outside.
"On average the NTZ contained three times as many lobsters above the minimum landing size compared to control areas. Although it is very early days in the monitoring programme we hope to find that the population will increase further and spill-over into areas outside the NTZ where fishermen can benefit," the monitoring programme's lead scientist, Dr Miles Hoskin, told Divernet.

Related pages
Lundy proposed as first No Take Zone (July 2002)


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