NEWS, 12 March 2026, Jersey: Jersey has approved one of the most ambitious marine protection plans in the British Isles, nearly quadrupling the area of its seas protected from damaging fishing practices. Thus, becoming a leader in ocean conservation across the British Isles. The proposed MPA network covers 21.7% of Jersey’s waters and comes into effect on 1 September this year. An additional 1.9% has also been approved to come into effect on January 1, 2030. These areas include vital habitats such as kelp forests, seagrass meadows, biodiverse reefs and fragile maerl beds (one of the rarest and most sensitive habitat types in the region). 

The decision means 21.7% of Jersey’s waters will be protected from mobile gear (dredging and trawling) – far ahead of England, where only 11% of waters are protected.

Maerl beds found in Jersey’s waters can host up to 173 species in a single square metre, making them some of the most biodiverse habitats in Europe. Jersey’s decision to invest in ocean protection comes at a moment when marine life all around the world is under growing pressure from climate change and overfishing. The new protections will come into effect on 1 September 2026, bringing Jersey much closer to achieving its international commitment to protect 30% of its waters by 2030.