To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which species of flora and fauna will be considered as features that will be protected by the proposed network of Marine Conservation Zones. (279914)

[holding answer 15 June 2009]: The Marine and Coastal Access Bill provides for the designation and protection of marine conservation zones (MCZs) to conserve rare and threatened species and representative habitats and species in English and Welsh territorial waters and UK offshore waters. All categories of flora and fauna can therefore be considered for protection within MCZs. MCZs, together with marine protected areas designated under existing legislation, will form an ecologically coherent network of sites. The features protected by this network will represent the range of features present in the UK marine area including seabirds.