The UK’s first marine park in Plymouth is set to ‘lead way in ocean innovation’.
Plymouth Sound will be designated the UK’s first national marine park, with the aim of protecting the area’s estimated 1,000 species of marine life and vast seafaring economy.
Similar to a regular national park, the site at Plymouth Sound will be a protected area of the ocean.
City leaders, experts in the marine sector and partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors have signed a pledge, demonstrating their support for making the UK’s first national marine park happen, reports the Sky News.
The leader of Plymouth City Council, Tudor Evans OBE, said: “Plymouth, with its historic waterfront, rich maritime heritage, cutting edge marine research and its diversity of sea life is ideally placed to lead the way to create something of significant value locally that can be used to lead the way nationally.”
The park will aim to promote marine conservation, engineering and research, while balancing the current industries in the area, such as the fishing and military ports.
