Jersey has approved one of the most ambitious marine protection plans in the British Isles, nearly quadrupling the area of its waters protected from damaging fishing practices. A new marine protected area network will safeguard 21.7 per cent of Jersey’s seas from 1 September 2026, with a further 1.9 per cent to be protected from 2030. This means Jersey is well ahead of England, where only 11 per cent of waters currently have the same level of protection.
The protected areas include vital habitats such as kelp forests, seagrass meadows, biodiverse reefs and fragile maerl beds, one of the rarest and most sensitive habitats in the region. Maerl beds in Jersey’s waters can host up to 173 species within a single square metre, making them among the most biodiverse habitats in Europe.
Blue Marine Foundation has worked alongside partners, including the National Trust for Jersey, to support the development of the network. The new protections bring Jersey significantly closer to its commitment to protect 30 per cent of its waters by 2030 and position the island as a leader in ocean conservation across the British Isles.
